Backer's 18th Annual Spring Show Offers Buying, Learning and Fun
More than 8,000 pet store owners, managers, distributors, boarding
kennel operators, grooming professionals, mail-order catalog
representatives and specialty gift store owners are expected
to attend the 18th Annual Pet Industry Spring Trade Show and
Educational Conference, April 7-9 at the Atlantic City Convention
Center in Atlantic City, N.J.
Organized by H.H. Backer Associates Inc. (Chicago), the show
is expected to feature more than 700 pet supply manufacturers
and distributors in 1,100 booths.
To help attendees find specific companies, products and booths
quickly and easily prior to the Spring Trade Show or at show
site, H.H. Backer is offering the ExpoPlanner product/exhibitor
locator for the first time. Buyers can use the service to
print a customized list of items they want in booth number
order, show specials, trade/brand names, Web site addresses,
seminar information and more. Find ExpoPlanner at www.hhbacker.com.
At show site, buyers can preview must-see and must-have pet
products in the Product Showcase beginning at 9 a.m. daily,
one hour before the main exhibit hall opens.
Distributors and pet store owners and managers can win nearly
$9,000—including a $2,000 grand prize on Sunday afternoon—in
the Backer Cash Bonanza contest. Entry forms for daily drawings
will be distributed at registration and in participating sponsors’
booths. Attendees must be present to win.
New to the show, the Relaxation Station, in the rear of the
exhibit hall, will offer free chair massages during scheduled
trade show hours.
To help pet store owners, managers and employees get the
information they need to succeed in today’s competitive
marketplace, Backer will offer several free seminars during
the show: “Expanding Your Dog- and Cat-Related Business”
by Barry Berman; “Guerilla Marketing” by Vicki
Lynn Morgan; “How to Sell More Aquatic Products”
by Joe Olenik; “Optimizing Your Business the High-Tech
Way” by Richard Kann; “Extreme Makeover: Turning
Your Pet Center Into a Profit Center” by Mort Brown;
“Selling High-End, High-Impact Products” by Robin
Kershner; and “Greater Retail Success With the NexPet
Group” by Barry Berman. A free grooming seminar and
demonstration also will be presented on Sunday, April 9.
The Pet Industry Joint Advisory Council (Washington) will
offer both feline and reptile certification seminars. An onsite
fee of $50 covers materials and certification costs for each
seminars. However, PIJAC members can call 800-553-7387 or
log on to www.pijac.org for information about discounted fees
and registration procedures.
The trade show is open 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Friday, April
7, and Saturday, April 8; and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday,
April 9. For more information, call (312) 663-4040 or visit
www.hhbacker.com. [March 2006 PET AGE]
|
