Retailers, distributors and manufacturers will be able to get expert advice on a variety of management topics at no charge during H.H. Backer’s Pet Industry Christmas Trade Show, Oct. 2-4 in Chicago (Rosemont), Ill.

Vicki Lynne Morgan, a pet industry veteran and owner of Animal Brands, a manufacturers’ representative firm, will consult privately with business owners during “Ask the Expert” management sessions Oct. 1-2. She’ll draw on her experience counseling more than 1,000 small business owners through the New Jersey Small Business Development Center to help participants with marketing, selling skills, customer experience management, Web site design, sales collateral review and trade shows.

“Many small-business owners don’t have access to sound advice and guidance from someone who knows the pet industry and understands the decisions that they need to make to achieve their goals,” Morgan said. “Each session will address specific issues and concerns based on participants’ input. Attendees will leave with new insight and a lot of homework that will help them sustain and grow business opportunities and profitability.”

“Small-business owners are facing many challenges this year,” said Colette Fairchild, trade show director for H.H. Backer Associates.  “We wanted to offer these services free of charge to encourage as many people as possible to participate,” she added. 

Representatives from up to three companies (a maximum of four people per firm) may participate in each one-hour session, which are sponsored by PET AGE. Exhibitors will have first priority for appointments on Thursday, Oct. 1; retailers and distributors will have priority for sessions on Friday, Oct. 2.

For information and to sign up, contact David Harvey, trade show coordinator, at 312-578-1818 or e-mail dharvey@hhbacker.com.

In addition, Backer’s Christmas Trade Show will feature an expanded educational conference lineup, a $99 “Pet Tech Pet First Aid and CPR” presentation and a free luncheon on raw pet foods sponsored by Bravo Raw Diet (Vernon, Calif.) and Nature’s Variety’s (Lincoln, Neb.).

Other show highlights include Backer’s Royal Flush Contest, the 12th Annual Retailer Select Awards for Product Excellence, the Celebration of Style grooming competition and Backer’s Caribbean-themed all-industry party.

For more information, call 312-578-1818 or visit www.hhbacker.com. [September 2009 PET AGE]