Mark Your Calendars for the Premier Industry Event

Global Pet Expo is happening March 21-23, 2018 in Orlando, Florida.

In addition to the many exclusive member benefits you receive as an APPA member, you also have access to Global Pet Expo, the Premier Industry Event. If you’ve never attended the Show, here are a few incredible facts about last year’s event: 

The thirteenth annual Global Pet Expo featured 343,700 net square feet of exhibit space, nearly 24,000 feet larger than 2016 to accommodate the growing number of exhibiting companies. That’s a lot of space to cover in three days – bring your walkin’ shoes!

Attendance at the premier industry event included 6,761 qualified buyers from 79 different countries – making Global Pet Expo a key trading opportunity for companies around the world. There were also 1,130 exhibiting companies, including 270 first-time exhibitors, covering more than 3,437 booths, giving buyers thousands of new products and trends to choose from!

The 2017 Show also marked the debut of country-specific pavilions. Previously, multiple countries exhibited together in one space on the Show Floor, but the new international model allowed participating country delegations dedicated space throughout the exhibit floor.

Global Pet Expo is the pet industry’s largest annual trade show.  The 2018 Show will be bigger and better than ever and will have everything you need all under one roof, so make your plans to attend today!

The 2018 booth application is available online, and buyer registration and qualification is now live.

We look forward to seeing you at next year’s Show!

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The Premier Industry Event will take place March 21-23, 2018 at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, Florida. For more information, visit the website.

 

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Pet Industry Spending at a Record High: $66.75 Billion!

Bob Vetere, President and CEO of the American Pet Products Association, announced that overall spending in the pet industry has surpassed previous spending by more than $6 billion! In fact, pet industry spending for 2016 came in at a record high of $66.75 billion!

While APPA’s industry figures cover pet spending in a variety of categories, we’ve pulled out some of the key facts and figures for you. Take a look:

1. There was a noticeable increase in pet food spending of 22.6% primarily due to APPA accounting for new data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, which indicated previous spending figures released may have been too conservative. In fact, interest in high end, premium pet food and treats continues to be a key driver for increased spending in the pet food category.
2. Veterinary care spending remains the second source of spending in the pet industry at $15.95 billion. While routine veterinary visits have not necessarily increased, new advances in health care and services available may be contributing to the 3.4% growth. And with new results from research compiled by the Human Animal Bond Research Institute showing that more people are becoming aware of the health benefits of their pets, it’s no wonder they are more likely to take care of them!
3. The third highest source of spending is in supplies and over the counter (OTC) medications. $14.71 billion was spent on items such as beds, collars, leashes, toys, travel items, clothing, food and water bowls, and other accessories.
4. Purchases of live animals decreased 0.9% in 2016.

5. Other services such as grooming, boarding, walking, training, pet sitting, yard services and more saw significant growth from 2015, second only to the growth of the pet food category.

If these new numbers are any indication of the direction the pet industry is moving, our future is certainly looking bright!

Visit the press release section of our website for a full breakdown of our Annual Industry-Wide Spending Figures.

Introducing the 2017 New Products Showcase Awards Winners

With nearly 1,000 new pet products entered into this year’s New Products Showcase, the buyers in attendance definitely had their work cut out for them in choosing the most innovative, useful, and groundbreaking products for 2017.

Well, the votes are in, and the winners are…

 

AQUATICS

Best In Show
Seriphos Drop Off Aquarium
Elive, LLC

Second Place
Jelly Cylinder 5
Jellyfish Art LLC

Third Place
Brio 35 Urban Eco Garden
Deep Water Aquatics

BIRD

Best In Show
USA Happy Beaks Toys
A&E Cage Co., LLC

Second Place
Bird Temp – Digital Infrared Thermometer
Zoo Med Laboratories, Inc.

Third Place
Eco- Friendly Bird Nest
Le Sharma Trading, Inc.

BOUTIQUE

Best In Show
Bake-at-Home Birthday Cake Mix for Dogs
The Lazy Dog Cookie Co., Inc.

Second Place
Dodo Bird Family: Baz the Dad, Barb the Mom & Billy the Baby Dodo Birds
Merito Industries dba THINK OUTSIDE

Third Place
PetCakes Frozen Yogurt Treats
PetCakes by Lucky Paws, LLC

CAT

Best In Show
Catysmile Backpack Cat Carrier
Primetime Petz LLC

Second Place
The Bridge
Molly and Friends Cat Furniture Company

Third Place
Side Table Cat Bed
Sauder Woodworking Co.

DOG

Best In Show
Qwizl
West Paw Design

Second Place
PAW5 Wooly
PAW5

Third Place
TropiClean Natural Flea & Tick
TropiClean Pet Products

NATURAL PET

Best In Show
NO-HIDE DOG CHEWS – PORK
Earth Animal

Second Place
Ruff Bone
Himalayan Corporation

Third Place
CannaBoost (TM) CDB/Hemp full spectrum extract
PawFlex, Inc.

REPTILE

Best In Show
Exo Terra Gecko Food
Hagen Group

Second Place
Exo Terra Tall Terrarium
Hagen Group

Third Place
Zilla Front Opening Terrarium
Central Garden & Pet

SMALL ANIMAL

Best In Show
Kaytee Run-About Ball LED Light Rainbow 7 inch
Central Garden & Pet

Second Place
Walkin’ Wheels Mini Wheelchair
Walkin’ Pets by Handicappedpets.com

Third Place
Kaytee Critterhome 30 x 18 Deluxe Habitat Large
Central Garden & Pet

POINT OF PURCHASE

Best In Show
Meowijuana – Retail Display Box (Large)
Meowijuana LL

Second Place
Earth Rated 2017 Collection
Earth Rated

Third Place
Kaytee Crittertrail Building Station
Central Garden & Pet

Andrea Arden Was Honored at Global Pet Expo 2017

Dog training expert, author and TV and radio personality, Andrea Arden, accepted the “Excellence in Journalism and Outstanding Contributions to the Pet Industry Award” at the 2017 Global Pet Expo!

Arden accepted the award, presented by Bob Vetere, President and CEO of the American Pet Products Association, at the Purina® Media Reception at Global Pet Expo. The annual “Excellence in Journalism and Outstanding Contributions to the Pet Industry Award” recognizes individuals in the media who have the power to influence millions of people and use this to positively promote the joys and benefits of pet ownership.

Arden has had a colorful career to say the least, beginning 22 years ago with her Emmy award winning show The Pet Department. She’s the media’s one stop shop for trends within the pet industry, tips on training, responsible pet ownership and pet education. A frequent contributor to the TODAY show, Live With Kelly, The Late Show with Stephen Colbert and many others, Arden is passionately dedicated to educating pet parents about how to best enrich and prolong the lives of companion animals as well as advocating for rescue animals and the organizations tasked with helping them. And, as if that isn’t enough, she’s also the on-camera trainer for Animal Planet’s America’s Cutest Dog and Cat, Dogs101, Cats101 and Wonderdog.

In addition to her extensive television work and advocacy, she has been the behavior columnist for Dog Fancy, as well as a contributing writer for the AKC Gazette and Modern Dog. She has also written four books; Barron’s Dog Training Bible, Dog-Friendly Dog Training, Train Your Dog the Lazy Way, and The Little Book of Dog Tricks. 

It’s safe to say that with the above accomplishments and all she’s contributed to the pet industry, she was the perfect honoree for this year’s award. Congratulations, Andrea!

Announcing the 2017 Retailer Excellence Award Winners

Global Pet Expo is proud to announce the winners of the Sixth Annual Retailer Excellence Awards. These awards are designed to honor outstanding independent pet stores in a variety of categories.

The following retailers received designated awards in each of the 10 different categories:

Paw’s Natural Pet Emporium of Richland, WA
Best Overall Single-Store Retailer: This award recognizes a single-store retailer for excelling in sales, customer service, store design, merchandising and community service.

Yarn & Bone Pet Supply Co. of Camden, DE
Best Overall Retailer (2 – 10 stores): This award recognizes multi-unit retailers with less than 10 stores for excelling in sales, customer service, store design, merchandising and community service.

CountryMax Stores of Victor, NY
Best Overall Retailer (10 or more stores): This award recognizes multi-unit retailers with more than 10 stores for excelling in sales, customer service, store design, merchandising and community service.

Most Valuable Pets, Inc. of Nicholasville, KY
Best Live Animal Retailer: This award recognizes a retailer that excels in sales, promotion, display and knowledge of the dedicated live-animal category.

Pet Pantry Warehouse of Rye, NY
Best Merchandising: This award recognizes their outstanding creative techniques to promote sales and services.

The Green K9 of Mount Dora, FL
Multi-Service Excellence: This award recognizes their effective offering of a broad spectrum of services including grooming, training, boarding, etc.

Bark Out Loud Doggie Boutique & Café of Mansfield, TX
Best Marketing: This award honors effective execution in sales and promotional techniques to increase sales and customers including the use of advertising, public relations, social media and more.

Natural Pet Enrichment Center of North Royalton, OH
Best Customer Service: This award recognizes an unmatched level of customer service, demonstrates familiarity with products and services, etc.

Pet Express of Saugus, MA
Best Store Design: This award honors excellence in overall store design including merchandising displays, store layout, curb appeal and more.

Petsway of Springfield, MO
Best Community Service: This honor recognizes fellowship, integrity and a clear demonstration that the store is committed to giving back to the community.

 

Congratulations to all of the winning retailers!

Entries were judged by a committee consisting of Global Pet Expo and Pet Business Media staff members. For more information about the Show or the awards please visit www.globalpetexpo.org.

Global Pet Expo is SOLD OUT!

With just a few weeks until the doors open to the premier industry event, Global Pet Expo officials are proud to report that all booths on the Show Floor have been sold.

So, what does that mean?

The 2017 Show will feature 1,130 exhibitors, 27% of which are international companies, 3,435 booths and 223 first-time exhibiting companies!

With more than 3,000 new product launches, Global Pet Expo will showcase the latest and greatest products available for all types of pets including dogs, cats, birds, fish, reptiles, small animals and horses. The Show has also grown in recent years with added special sections including the “International Pavilions,” “Natural Pet,” “Boutique,” “Everything Aquatic,” and “What’s New!”

We’re looking forward to another great Global Pet Expo, and we’ll see you in Orlando!

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The SOLD OUT Show That Means Business is happening March 22-24, 2017 at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, Florida. For more information, visit the website.

Announcing: Country-Specific Pavilions for International Exhibitors

With impressive growth at the premier industry event, the 2017 Show will feature for the first time country-specific pavilions for international exhibitors.

Pavilions from the United Kingdom, Canada, China and Taiwan will replace the International Pavilion, where previously multiple countries exhibited together in one space. Global Pet Expo officials also expect more than 100 additional international exhibitors to have a presence in the special sections and general Show Floor area where they will feature products that showcase international trends.

The overall success of the Show is influenced by international participation and we’re happy to offer this exciting new opportunity to cultivate that influence.

Take a look at our floor plan to see the location each of the country-specific pavilions and plan to stop by during the Show in March.

Attention Exhibitors: Submit Your New Product in the New Products Showcase at Global Pet Expo!

Some of the industry’s most innovative, new products debut every year at Global Pet Expo in the popular New Products Showcase and this year, yours could too! This is also your opportunity to be considered for a coveted Best In Show Award.

Buyers and members of the media make a beeline for the New Products Showcase every year looking for the new, innovative and trendy products to hit shelves in 2017. Don’t miss your chance to be part of the largest new products showcase at any pet product industry trade show in the world.

New products can be submitted in the following categories:

1. Aquatic
2. Bird
3. Boutique
4. Cat
5. Dog
6. Natural Pet
7. Reptile
8. Small Animal
9. Point of Purchase

To submit your product, please visit our website.

Winners will be announced during Global Pet Expo’s New Products Showcase Awards held on March 23, 2017 at 5pm.

Come One, Come All! Attendee Registration is Now Live!

If you’re a buyer, manufacturer rep, manufacturer or member of the media looking to attend the premier industry event, registration is open!

Exhibitors:
If you are interested in being an exhibitor, you must be a current member of APPA or PIDA. If you’re already a member, visit our website to access the Exhibitor Space Application & Agreement.

Buyers:
Registration is free for all qualified buyers. If you have previously attended Global Pet Expo, login to your account and register yourself and colleagues. For new buyers, fill out and submit the New Buyer Qualification Form.

Manufacturer Reps:
Registration is also free for all qualified manufacturer representatives. Manufacturer Representatives are defined as independent third-party agents or companies who represent two or more manufacturers in a sales capacity. Manufacturer Reps may qualify and register here.

Members of the Press:
Global Pet Expo also provides press badges to qualified media to cover the Show! Registration is now open and you are encouraged to pre-register, as press who attempt to register on-site may be turned away if proper credentials are not verified. To learn more about who qualifies for a press badge, read our press credential qualifications.

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The Show That Means Business is happening March 22-24, 2017 at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, Florida. For more information, visit the website.

Members of the Media: What to Expect at Global Pet Expo in 2016

If you’ve been to Global Pet Expo in the past, you know that its the place to be to get the scoop on the latest and greatest pet products, new and emerging trends, spending predictions for upcoming years and more! If you have never attended the pet industry’s largest annual trade show, now is the time! Visiting every booth on the Show Floor is equivalent to walking over three miles and you can see, smell, touch and even pet the sweet things our exhibitors bring. After all, all trails lead here!

Just in case that wasn’t convincing enough, we compiled a list of perks of attending from Global Pet Expo 2016:

The New Products Showcase, which boasted over 900 new products last year, is your one-stop-shop for new product and trend stories. If you can’t remember all 900 of them, we have you covered.

Global Pet Expo staff is on hand in the Press Office to provide photos and information on all New Products Showcase winners. This space, dedicated to media, is where you can connect to free wifi, refuel on snacks and drinks, and be front and center for all scheduled press conferences. If you’re interested in something specific, let us know in advance and we will do the scouring for you… even schedule a tour and we’ll show you around!

If you’re still hungry for more information the Industry Breakfast will be chock full of the latest research, industry trends and consumer spending predictions for the upcoming year

Wind down from a full day on the show floor at the Media Reception where you can enjoy a refreshing cocktail and appetizers while you mingle with colleagues or interview fellow journalists.

Just remember, the Show is only open to qualified members of the press such as writers, editorial staff, publishers and bloggers. Registration opens November 1, 2015.

If you have questions or would like more information, please feel free to contact Jamie Baxter via phone at (775) 322-4022 or via email at jamie@theimpetusagency.com.