More than 7,900 qualified buyers from 2,446 firms attended H.H. Backer’s 19th Annual Pet Industry Spring Trade Show, held March 30-April 1 at the Atlantic City Convention Center in Atlantic City, N.J.

The total number of buying firms was down 6 percent from last year’s record-setting 2,623 firms.

“Even though we saw a decrease in total buying firms, order-writing seemed to remain consistent, with Sunday being our best day,” said Colette Fairchild, trade show director for H.H. Backer Associates Inc. (Chicago). “However, we’re planning several major changes to our spring show to boost our attendance back up to recent record levels, and we’re confident that these changes will prove beneficial to both exhibitors and buyers.”

A total of 558 exhibitors displayed products in more than 880 booths in the show. Ninety exhibitors made their first appearance at the Backer show.

Backer’s Atlantic City show once again featured a variety of free educational seminars to help retailers and distributors learn more about marketing and animal care.

New this year was the Aquatic Answers pavilion, a centralized area on the show floor featuring aquatic exhibitors and individually tailored “Ask the Expert” sessions.

Backer’s Cash Bonanza Big Cash Giveaway was a big hit with buyers. Jo Johnson of Posh Pets Boutique (Columbus, Ohio) won the $10,000 grand prize when her name was chosen from 12 finalists. Retailers were able to visit contest sponsors’ booths to receive extra entry forms to increase their chances of winning.

In addition, Backer awarded a $5,000 cash prize to Evelyn Low of Cordis Fish & Pet Supply (Manassas, Va.), an aquatic retailer who visited the Aquatic Answers pavilion.

H.H. Backer Associates’ next show is the 41st Annual Pet Industry Christmas Trade Show, to be held Oct. 12-14, 2007, at the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center in Rosemont (Chicago), Ill.

Backer’s Spring Trade Show will move to a new venue and new time frame in 2008: May 16-18, 2008, at the Baltimore Convention Center in Baltimore.