Backer’s
Spring Trade Show Draws Record Number of Buying Firms
More than 8,100 qualified buyers from 2,623 firms attended H.H.
Backer’s 18th Annual Pet Industry Spring Trade Show, held
April 7-9 at the Atlantic City Convention Center in Atlantic
City, N.J.
These figures represent an increase of 44 buying firms (2
percent) from last year’s 2,579 buying firms, according
to Colette Fairchild, CMP, trade show director for H.H. Backer
Associates (Chicago).
More than 680 exhibitors displayed products in 1,080 booths.
Of those, 148 companies were making their first spring show
appearances.
“The total [buying] firm count of 2,623 was our highest
ever in Atlantic City,” Fairchild said. “We've
definitely seen an increase in the number of Web-based businesses
and specialty stores in attendance. Buying was fairly steady
throughout the weekend, more so than last year.”
Furthermore, buyers seemed better prepared to do serious
business. “The addition of our product locator, ExpoPlanner,
really helped buyers plan their show in advance. Attendees
could search for products by keyword or product type to locate
what they needed quickly and easily. Buyers could also print
a complete list of show specials in either alphabetical or
booth number order,” Fairchild added.
Once again, Backer’s Cash Bonanza contest was a big
hit with retailers, who won nearly $9,000 in cash on the spot
(see “Cash Bonanza Winners”).
In addition, retailers and distributors had the opportunity
to attend several free educational seminars on topics related
to marketing and animal care.
H.H. Backer’s next event is the 40th Annual Pet Industry
Christmas Trade Show, to be held Oct. 6-8 at the Donald E.
Stephens Convention Center in Rosemont (Chicago), Ill. It
will be followed by the 19th Annual Pet Industry Spring Trade
Show, to be held March 30-April 1, 2007, at the Atlantic City
Convention Center.
For more information on Backer’s pet industry trade
shows, call (312) 663-4040, e-mail hhbacker@hhbacker.com or
visit www.hhbacker.com. [June 2006 PET AGE]
CASH BONANZA WINNERS
H.H. Backer Associates awarded $8,750 on the spot to qualified
store owners and managers taking part in Cash Bonanza
drawings. Retailers were able to get extra entry forms
from participating exhibitors.
|
| WINNER |
STORE |
PRIZE |
SPONSOR |
| Diane Hamilton |
Bark (Clarksville, Md.) |
$2,000 |
Eagle Pack Pet Foods Inc. |
| Kathleen Stryeski |
Reigning Dogs & Cats (Trenton,
N.J.) |
$1,000. |
Castlemere |
| Linda Bialous |
Country Kennel (Lindenwold, N.J.) |
$1,000 |
H.H. Backer Associates Inc. |
| Lynn Ditta |
The Pets Choice (Deep River, Conn.) |
$900 |
H.H. Backer Associates Inc. |
| Jo-Anne Basile |
Paws by the Green (Guilford, Conn.) |
$650 |
FasTags |
| Rachel Browne |
Stonehill Estates Kennel (Newfoundland,
N.J.) |
$500 |
Coastal Pet Products Inc. |
| Mike Busone |
Checker Hills Farm (Glenville, N.Y.) |
$500 |
Eagle Pack Pet Foods Inc. |
| Donna M. Gerbino |
Pup and Stuff Pet Supplies (New City,
N.Y.) |
$350 |
H.H. Backer Associates Inc. |
| Ken Stachurski |
Goochi Poochi (Plantation, Fla.) |
$350 |
Blue Ribbon Pet Products Inc. |
| Malika Heatwole-Showalter |
Pet Village & Gifts (Staunton,
Va.) |
$300 |
Eagle Pack Pet Foods Inc. |
| John M. Rodriguez |
Pet City (Jersey City, N.J.) |
$300 |
H.H. Backer Associates Inc. |
| Rachel Browne |
Stonehill Estates Kennel (Newfoundland,
N.J.) |
$250 |
FasTags |
| LeAnn Wolf |
Premium Animal Supply (Reading, Pa.) |
$250 |
Eagle Pack Pet Foods Inc. |
| Edna Burns |
Burns Tropical Fish (Georgetown,
Del.) |
$200 |
Blue Ribbon Pet Products Inc. |
| Beverly A. Melcher |
Orchard Hills Training Center (Barto,
Pa.) |
$200 |
FasTags |
|
