Approximately 3,200 pet professionals attended Groom Expo, the Natural Pet Expo and Animal Behavior Conference, held Sept. 10-12 at the Hershey Lodge and Convention Center in Hershey, Pa.

The attendee count at the event, sponsored by Barkleigh Productions Inc. (Mechanicsburg, Pa.), increased 7 percent from 2,000 last year.

Vero Da Sylva of Twickenton (Dedham, Mass.) captured the Nature’s Specialties Winner’s Circle Championship, receiving $2,500 from Nature’s Specialties Manufacturing (Corona, Calif.). As a three-time Winner’s Circle winner, Da Sylva also won the Triple Crown, receiving an unprecedented $20,000 jackpot offered by Andis Co. (Racine, Wis.), Edemco Dryers Inc. (Colorado Springs, Colo.), Geib Hand-Made Shears (Orlando, Fla.), Kenic Pet Products (Lawrenceburg, Ky.), Nash Academy (Lexington, Ky., and Fairview, N.J.), Paragon School of Pet Grooming (Jenison, Mich.) and Marea Tully.

Julie Wilkins of Best in Show Mobile Dog Grooming (Gloucester, Mass.) was named GroomOlympics Champion, winning $5,000 from PetsMart Inc. (Phoenix).

Wilkins also was named Mobile Grooming Champion, and received $1,000 from Wag’n Tails Mobile Grooming Conversions Inc. (Granger, Ind.).

Barbara Zirk of Groom PetsMart (Fredericksburg, Va.) won the Barkleigh Creative Styling contest with an entry entitled “Big Rock Hershey Mountain.” She received $1,500 from Barkleigh Productions Inc.

Melissa Rearick of Pet Styling by Francie (Jackson, Mich.) removed the biggest pile of dead undercoat in 15 minutes to win the first Big Hairy Dog Contest. She won $1,000 from Furminator Inc. (St. Louis).

With programs on natural pet care and dog training as well as grooming, the event offered something for almost everyone. “Groom Expo is not just for groomers any more,” said Sally Liddick, president of Barkleigh Productions. “We are now serving the greater community of pet-care service professionals such as kennel operators, trainers, day care providers, pet sitters, and more, with a huge variety of topics.”

Groom Expo 2005 will take place Sept. 15-18 at the Hershey Lodge and Convention Center in Hershey, Pa. “Next year, we plan to expand our natural and animal behavior programs, and include an exciting kennel bus tour,” Liddick said. “As the industry changes, so will we, as we take on the challenges facing today’s pet service providers.”

For more information, contact Barkleigh Productions at (717) 691-3388, or visit www.barkleigh.com. [December 2004 PET AGE]