A total of 1,731 buyers representing 3,759 pet stores, pet supply outlets and other companies attended the 17th National Pet Industry Trade Show, held Sept. 18-19 at the International Center in Toronto, according to Susan Dankert, communications and education coordinator for the trade association. Although the buyer count decreased 4 percent from 1,797 buyers last year, the number of outlets represented increased 43 percent from 2,619 outlets last year.

“The number of outlets is far larger in Toronto because big chain store companies attended the National Pet Industry Trade Show, since their head office is in Toronto,” said Roselyne Levêque, events coordinator for PIJAC Canada. For example, one buyer at the Toronto show represented more than 500 retail outlets, and four buyers represented more than 200 retail outlets each.

“One change that we noticed with our visitors this year is that many of them have diversified their businesses. Whereas in the past many of them specialized in retail or grooming or day care or clinic, this year a number of them indicated that they were a retailer as well as day care, or a veterinarian clinic that also offered grooming services,” Dankert said.

The national show featured 220 companies in 375 booths. The exhibitor count was up 16 percent from 189 companies in last year’s show, and the booth count was up 11 percent from 339 booths last year.

Leading up to PIJAC Canada’s national show were two regional shows: the Western Pet Expo in British Columbia, and ExpoZoo in Quebec.

A total of 380 buyers representing 214 companies attended the Western Pet Expo, held Sept. 11-12, at the Vancouver Airport Conference Resort in Vancouver, British Columbia. Those counts represent a 10 percent decrease in individual buyers from 424 buyers last year, and a 23 percent decrease in buying outlets from 278 outlets last year.

The show featured 63 companies in 101 booths. The exhibitor count was down 6 percent from 67 companies last year, and the booth count was up 3 percent from 98 booths last year.

“Even with the number of visitors decreasing, all comments were positive and encouraging,” said Roselyne Levêque, events coordinator for PIJAC Canada. “Exhibitors find it worth coming to this show because they meet with a large variety of good buyers coming from all over B.C. and a few from Alberta.”

A total of 991 buyers representing 530 companies attended ExpoZoo 2005, held Aug. 21-22, at the Hotel des Seigneurs in St.-Hyacinthe, Quebec. Those counts represent a 21 percent increase in individual buyers from 820 visitors last year, and an 11 percent decrease in buying outlets from 594 outlets last year.

The exhibit hall featured 90 companies in 159 booths. The exhibitor count was up 15 percent from 78 companies last year. The booth count was up 18 percent from 135 booths last year.

“We were very pleased with all three shows this year,” Dankert said. “Each of the shows grew significantly in size and scope. All of our visitors were extremely pleased with our increased number of exhibitors and the variety of new and specialty products.”

In addition to its traditional certification program, the association offered workshops on canine behavior, canine and feline first aid and nutrition.

PIJAC Canada also celebrated the 50th anniversaries of Burgham Sales Limited (Scarborough, Ontario) and Rolf C. Hagen Inc. (Montreal) by presenting its first lifetime memberships to Hans Schlichtmann Sr., awarded posthumously, and Rolf C. Hagen.

“Burgham Sales Ltd. and Rolf C. Hagen Inc. helped build the foundation of the Canadian pet industry. Their successes are a testament to their dedication to the industry and are an inspiration to countless other companies both in and out of the pet trade,” said Clarke Cameron, president of PIJAC Canada.

PIJAC Canada’s 18th National Pet Industry Trade Show will be held Sept. 17-18, 2006, at the International Center in Toronto. PIJAC Canada’s ExpoZoo will be held Aug. 20-21 at the Hotel des Seigneurs in St.-Hyacinthe, Quebec. Dates for PIJAC Canada’s Western Pet Expo had not been determined at press time.

For more information, contact PIJAC Canada at (613) 834-2111, or visit www.pijaccanada.com.