Buyers cast hundreds of ballots for their favorites among items displayed in the Product Showcase at H.H. Backer Associates’ 38th Annual Pet Industry Christmas Trade Show and Educational Conference, held Oct. 8-10 in Rosemont, Ill.

Retailers were encouraged to make their selections based on past/potential sales performance, packaging and design, quality, and price.

Winners of the PET AGE “Retailer Select” Awards for Product Excellence contest received handsome gold, silver or bronze medal plaques on the last day of the show, presented by Patty Backer, president of Backer Associates, and Karen Long MacLeod, associate publisher/editor in chief of PET AGE.

GOLD MEDAL WINNER: Companion Habitats Inc. (Colorado Springs, Colo.) for the Majestic Quad-Habitat. The cleverly designed freestanding unit accommodates up to four different species in 32 compartments—and has a footprint of only 4 square feet.

SILVER MEDAL WINNER: Colorado Collars (Fountain Hills, Ariz.) for Interchangeable Dog Collars. The premium-grade leather buckle set with a patented snap makes it easy for pet owners to add different designer wraps to give the pet a new look in an affordable way.

BRONZE MEDAL WINNER: Lifepod (New York) for the See Spot! Blinking Bone. The attention-getting plastic bone, which clips onto any collar, features three motion-activated LEDs light to make pets visible in the dark. [December 2004 PET AGE]