Okay… we’re home, unpacked, and still buzzing from NAYDO!
Honestly, being in a room full of YMCA leaders who care that much just hits different every time. Did you feel it too?
From hallway chats to booth stop-ins to those quick “we’re trying this at our Y…” moments, it never felt like just a conference. It felt like catching up with people building something so meaningful and huge in their own communities. The energy was everywhere, and we’re just really grateful we get to be part of it with you!
You ALL make the YMCA what it is
We’ll say it until we are blue in the face…the YMCA people are the HAPPIEST PEOPLE! Happy 175th Anniversary!
You’re juggling budgets, programs, staff needs, community needs, and still showing up with ideas, energy, and heart! We had so many real conversations this year about what’s working, what’s not, and what you’re trying to figure out next. And we want you to know we’re really listening. Not in a “take notes and move on” way. More in a “let’s figure this out together” way, because we don’t see ourselves as separate from what you’re doing. We’re in it with you!
The ideas, the testing, the trying things, the “this might be cool… let’s see” moments are honestly the best part for us. Don’t be shy, we are here to help!
The selfie frame was… kind of chaos (the best kind)
We knew the selfie frame would be fun, but we did not expect it to become that much of a moment!
We hosted a simple social contest at the booth. If you posted a photo at the YShop booth, you earned a fanny pack and a chance to win the No Place Like This Place tumbler.
At first it was, “no I’m okay, I’m not taking a photo…”
Then one second later, “wait, you have a selfie frame? I’m in!”
And from there it just took off. Coworkers pulling coworkers in, new friends jumping into photos, and random booth moments turning into full group shots. It honestly started to feel like its own little YMCA social network on the show floor.
We loved every second of it!
By the end, 65 of you joined the contest, but the real win was watching people pause, laugh, and connect for a moment in the middle of NAYDO.
That’s what we’ll remember most.
And the patch is officially out in the wild!
If you got a catalog in the mail, you’ve probably already seen it.
The peel-and-stick retro YMCA patch is officially out in the wild!
We’re really excited about this one! It’s made from recycled water bottles and actually sticks in a way that works for how YMCA teams use things day to day.
Camps, staff, events, volunteers, member moments, etc! And if it ends up on a water bottle… just know it’s basically coming full circle, lol!
Now we just want to see what you do with it. When it shows up, don’t overthink it. Stick it somewhere fun and tag @yshop.biz so we can see it.
We’re genuinely pumped about these!
The real takeaway from NAYDO
At the end of the day, it’s never really about “stuff.”
It’s about the moments you’re creating every single day inside your Ys…
We just get to help support it in small ways alongside you.
And if you stopped by the booth, grabbed a photo, shared an idea, laughed with us, or even just said a quick hi, thank you. Really, from the bottom of our hearts, thank you!
We left NAYDO feeling full in the best way. Full of ideas, full of gratitude, and really excited about everything you’re building.
And just so you know, we’re always here. Not in a formal “reach out anytime” way. More like, if you’ve got an idea, want to brainstorm, or just need something fun, we’re in your corner. Visit YShop.biz or email us at sales@yshop.biz