Pondapalooza
Focuses on Industry Change
Cream-of-the-crop speakers, high-end manufacturers and a state-of-the
art “green” facility made the Pondapalooza National
Pond Expo and Conference, held July 31-Aug. 3 in Pittsburgh,
one of the best in the event’s nine-year history, despite
a lower-than-expected attendee turnout, according to show organizers.
Change was definitely in the air during the conference: Kip
Creel of NQuery, an Atlanta-based research firm, set the tone
by discussing how do-it-yourself television programming has
created more design-savvy customers with higher expectations
about home and garden improvement.
Also, several manufacturers and distributors met to discuss
the possibility of organizing under the umbrella of the National
Association of Pond Professionals (Epworth, Ga.) or forming
a new trade organization.
Joseph Kalbas of Firestone Building Products (Indianapolis)
received the annual Frog Award for his commitment to the industry.
“This year’s Pondapalooza was a springboard for
what is to take place in the future,” said Roseanne
Conrad of Garden Pond Promotions Inc. (Duncansville, Pa.),
which also publishes Pondkeeper magazine. “Manufacturers
are taking products to the next level and are creating product
lines to reflect consumer needs. Retailers and installers
are hungry for innovation and category promotion. It's the
first step towards an industry renaissance.”
According to Conrad, Pondapalooza will go through an 'extreme
makeover' next year when it celebrates its 10th anniversary
in Savannah, Ga. “We want to bring the entire industry
together next year and will be offering corporate and media
sponsorship opportunities as well as providing complimentary
exhibit and meeting room space to not-for-profit industry
groups,” she said.
For more information, call Garden Pond Promotions at 888-356-9895.
[October 2006 PET AGE]
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