Opportunities
Abound at Backer’s Spring Trade Show
More than 8,000 pet store owners and managers, distributors,
boarding kennel operators, grooming professionals and other
pet supplies buyers are expected to attend the 19th Annual Pet
Industry Spring Trade Show and Educational Conference, March
30-April 1 at the Atlantic City Convention Center in Atlantic
City, N.J.
Organized by H.H. Backer Associates Inc. (Chicago), the show
will feature approximately 600 pet supply manufacturers and
distributors in nearly 1,000 booths.
New to the show this year, the Aquatic Answers pavilion will
make it easier for aquarium specialty retailers, full-line
retailers and aquarium services providers to shop for a wide
variety of targeted products, get expert advice and win valuable
prizes. Two lounge areas will feature one-on-one “Ask
the Expert” sessions by Julian Sprung of Two Little
Fishies Inc. (Coconut Grove, Calif.), Jeff Turner of Reef
Aquaria Inc. (Miami), Patrick Donston of Absolutely Fish (Clifton,
N.J.), Joe Olenik of Hoffer’s Tropic Life (Milwaukee),
Tullio Dell Aquila of Aquatic Research and Development (Utica,
N.Y.), Laura “Peach” Reid of Fish Mart (West Haven,
Conn.), Les Wilson of United Pet Group Aquatics (Blacksburg,
Va.), Bryan Masone of Heavenly Fish (Ewing Township, N.J.)
and Gary Sparks of Central Aquatics (Franklin, Wis.).
Once again, buyers can visit the Product Showcase on the
show floor to get a preview of the must-sees and must-haves
in the pet products market. The showcase opens daily at 9
a.m.—one hour before the exhibits open.
Attendees also can use the ExpoPlanner before the show or
on-site to print information on specific companies, booth
locations, show specials and more. Go to the Spring 2007 Trade
Show section at www.hhbacker.com.
Want more excitement? Distributors and pet store owners/managers
will have the chance to win $10,000 in the Backer Cash Bonanza
Big Cash Giveaway. Eligible buyers will receive entry forms
at the registration desk and in participating sponsors’
booths. Twelve qualifying entries will be selected throughout
the weekend, and one lucky attendee’s name will be drawn
on Sunday afternoon to win the $10,000 grand prize. Qualifying
finalists must be present to win.
H.H. Backer continues to offer free admission to seminars
for pet store owners, managers and employees. This year’s
lineup includes “Best Practices in Retail Pet Management”
by Barry Berman; “Anatomy of a Sale: Improving Your
Selling Skills” by Vicki Lynn Morgan; “How to
Run a Profitable Aquatics Department” by Patrick Donston;
“Bulletproofing Your Business” by Mort Brown;
“Increasing Business and Profits With Your POS System”
by Richard Kann; “Greater Retail Success With the NexPet
Group” by Barry Berman; and a panel discussion on maximizing
aquatic sales by Joe Olenik, Gary Sparks and Patrick Donston.
Diane Betelak, an award-winning groomer, will conduct “Professionalism
in the Grooming Salon” as well as a grooming demonstration
on cocker spaniels. Both sessions will take place Sunday,
April 1.
The Pet Industry Joint Advisory Council (Washington) will
offer canine and small-animal certification seminars. An on-site
fee of $50 covers materials and certification costs for each
of these seminars. PIJAC members can call (202) 452-1525 or
e-mail info@pijac.org for more information about registration
procedures and discounted fees.
Trade show hours are 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Friday, March 30,
and Saturday, March 31; and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sunday, April
1. For more information, visit www.hhbacker.com or call (312)
663-4040. [March 2007 PET AGE]
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