The record-setting buyer count increased 12 percent from 8,573 buyers last year, and the number of buying firms in attendance increased 10 percent from 2,747 firms last year.

A total of 13,775 buyers, exhibitor personnel and guests attended the show, up 8 percent from a total of 12,811 attendees last year.

With 981 exhibitors occupying 1,509 booths, the Christmas show was the biggest in Backer’s nearly 40-year history, according to Colette Fairchild, trade show director for Backer Associates. The exhibitor count increased 20 percent from 818 exhibitors last year, and the booth count increased 15 percent from 1,309 last year.

“Featuring more exhibitors than any other national pet industry trade show to date—including 224 companies making their first appearance in Chicago—the Christmas show deserves its reputation for showcasing companies and products that buyers won’t see anywhere else,” Fairchild said.

“We’re amazed at the rapid attendance growth in the last two years, especially in the boutique/specialty category,” Fairchild added. “The industry is really growing at an unbelievable pace at the moment. We also had more than 1,000 first-time attendees from across the United States and overseas, and a large number of brand-new pet stores.”

Thousands of buyers used Backer’s ExpoPlanner, a new online service, to find products and exhibitors quickly on the show floor.

Adding extra elements of excitement were the Backer Cash Bonanza (see “Cash Bonanza Winners”), and H.H. Backer’s sixth Celebration of Style grooming competition (see “Leady Takes Top Prizes in Backer’s Celebration of Style”).

H.H. Backer Associates, in cooperation with PET AGE magazine, also offered several free educational seminars designed to appeal to all types of retailers. These included a panel discussion led by Robin Kershner and Bruce Haas on the benefits of selling of high-end products; a seminar by Joe Olenik on reducing mortality rates for both fresh- and saltwater fish; and a holistic pet care seminar by Andi Brown.

In addition, Barb Koffski presented a seminar on first aid in grooming shops, and Suesan Watson conducted a grooming demonstration on mixed breeds.

The Pet Industry Joint Advisory Council (Washington) sponsored certification seminars on feline and small animal care, conducted by Dr. Christine Cannon.

H.H. Backer’s 18th Annual Pet Industry Spring Trade Show will be held April 7-9, 2006, at the Atlantic City Convention Center in Atlantic City, N.J. Backer’s 40th Annual Pet Industry Christmas Trade Show will be held Oct. 6-8, 2006, at the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center, Rosemont (Chicago), Ill.

“Based on previous comments from exhibitors, we will shorten show hours on Sunday to 4 p.m.,” Fairchild said.

For more information on Backer’s pet industry trade shows, an updated list of exhibitors or product specials, visit www.hhbacker.com.

Cash Bonanza Winners H.H. Backer Associates awarded nearly $9,000 on the spot to qualified store owners and managers taking part in Backer Cash Bonanza drawings. Retailers obtained extra entry forms at sponsors’ booths.
WINNER	STORE	PRIZE	WHERE ENTRY WAS OBTAINED
Kim Cottrell	Pet Provisions (Brighton, Mich.)	$2,000	Blue Ribbon Pet Products
Jan Beatty	Sophies Dog Bakery (Hayward, Wis.)	$1,000	H.H. Backer Associates Inc.
Dave Dangel	Petland (North Olmsted, Ohio)	$1,000	H.H. Backer Associates Inc.
Cassandra Lamp	Aquatic World (Oconomowoc, Wis.)	$900	DJ Pets
Diane Lundeen	Animal Snackers Petcetera (New Orleans)	$650	H.H. Backer Associates Inc.
Tracy Regole	Bunker Hill Dog Training (German Valley, Ill.)	$500	H.H. Backer Associates Inc.
Stefanie Knight	Simply Exotic Pet Supply (Elgin, Ill.)	$500	Florida Marine Research
Mike Grayson	Art in Motion (Marion, Ind.)	$350	H.H. Backer Associates Inc.
Stefanie Knight	Simply Exotic Pet Supply (Crystal Lake, Ill.)	$350	Modern Dog Magazine
Barbara Brissette	Petland Canada Inc. (Winnipeg, Manitoba)	$300	H.H. Backer Associates Inc.
Marion Meseth	Mardon K-9 Supply (Des Plaines, Ill.)	$300	H.H. Backer Associates Inc.
Diane Chandler	Animal Kracker (Gig Harbor, Wash.)	$250	H.H. Backer Associates Inc.
Juelie Hermann	K-9 Country Club & Pet Store (Moorhead, Minn.)	$250	Wheel House Designs
Janet Zimmer	Paws and Claws (Warsaw, Ind.)	$200	Coastal Pet Products Inc.
Ann Steckert	Pet Paradise (Saginaw, Mich.)	$200	Modern Dog Magazine

PET AGE ‘Retailer Select’ Awards Buyers cast hundreds of ballots for their favorites among items displayed in the Product Showcase at H.H. Backer Associates’ 39th Annual Pet Industry Christmas Trade Show and Educational Conference, held Oct. 7-9 in Rosemont, Ill. Retailers were encouraged to make their selections based on past/potential sales performance, packaging and design, quality, and price. GOLD MEDAL: The Small Dog Car Seat by Doggie Driving (Boulder, Colo.). The patented design allows small dogs to travel in style, allowing them to look out the window yet protecting them against impact and air bag release. SILVER MEDAL: The Avian AquaClean Self-Cleaning Birdcage System by .Avian AquaClean (Winthrop Harbor, Ill.). The patented system, used beneath a bird cage or perching area, circulates filtered water to contain bird dust, dander and waste for safe disposal and adds a tropical ambiance to the room. BRONZE MEDAL WINNER: The “One of Us” leash collection by Max Pawfection (New York). These leashes feature 12 sassy sayings embroidered on four cheerful ribbon colors—great gifts and great conversation starters.

Find It With ExpoPlanner Racking your brain for the name of the Christmas show exhibitor that displayed the cool desktop aquariums that you now have to have? Don’t strain your brain—find it with ExpoPlanner! H.H. Backer’s ExpoPlanner, launched in conjunction with the 2005 Christmas show, makes it easy to find exhibitor names as well as products by category or keyword. The ExpoPlanner keyword search is especially helpful. Say you are compiling information on dog bandanas but aren’t sure which exhibitors were selling them. Simply go to www.hhbacker.com, follow the links to the ExpoPlanner, then search by the keyword “bandana.” You’ll get a list of companies that sell dog bandanas, along with contact information. Retailers can access information on Christmas 2005 trade show exhibitors and products through Jan. 7, 2006, at www.hhbacker.com.