Ending a 19-year run in Atlantic City, N.J., H.H. Backer’s Pet Industry Spring Trade Show will move to a new time frame and venue in 2008—May 16-18 at the Baltimore Convention Center in Baltimore.

“We are very excited about the new venue in Baltimore,” said Colette Fairchild, trade show director for H.H. Backer Associates Inc. (Chicago). “We have thoroughly enjoyed having the show in Atlantic City for 19 years, but we feel that it is time for a change.”

The new venue offers many advantages for exhibitors and buyers alike. “The easier and more economical travel options were a major draw for us. Not only are there a wide variety of direct flights to Baltimore, but Amtrak and other means of mass transit can be readily accessed to and from the city’s center,” Fairchild said.

A wide variety of reasonably priced major hotels, including many that allow pets, are located within walking distance of the Baltimore Convention Center, which will eliminate the need for shuttle service, Fairchild added.

Also near the convention center are more than 130 outstanding family-friendly attractions, including the Inner Harbor on the waterfront and Baltimore National Aquarium.

The show’s May dates also will allow exhibitors ample time to prepare products for the retailer marketplace after Global Pet Expo, held during the February/March time frame.

“We have been exploring the option of moving the Backer Pet Industry Spring Show to a different city for some time, but given the somewhat tricky balancing act of ensuring a city and convention center’s ability to best serve the needs of our exhibitors and our buyers, it wasn’t an overnight process. Now that it’s finalized, though, we’re greatly anticipating all that Baltimore offers,” Fairchild said.

Backer’s Pet Industry Spring Trade Show will remain a three-day weekend show open to the trade only. Hours will remain 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday and Saturday, and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sunday.

The show will continue to feature the Aquatic Answers Pavilion, Product Showcase, Order-Writing Lounge and Special Events Arena. In addition, the show will include an all-industry event on Saturday evening, May 17.

Backer’s Pet Industry Christmas Trade Show will remain in Chicago in the October time frame (Oct. 12-14, 2007, and Oct. 3-5, 2008).

For more information, contact Colette Fairchild at (312) 663-4040 or cfairchild@hhbacker.com; or Amy LaTessa, assistant show manager, at alatessa@hhbacker.com. For specific questions regarding exhibiting, contact Julie Wichert, exhibit sales manager, at jwichert@hhbacker.com. [June 2007 PET AGE]