The pavilion, located in the center of the trade show floor, will feature companies exhibiting aquarium products, fresh- and saltwater tank displays, and two lounges to accommodate one-on-one sessions between aquatics experts and store managers/employees during trade show hours.

“Retailers have told us they’d like to see a larger aquatics presence at our shows,” said Colette Fairchild, trade show director for H.H. Backer Associates Inc. (Chicago). “By centralizing the aquatics area on the show floor, we’ll make the buying process much easier.

“Retailers also want to learn more about the issues that directly affect their stores, such as how to train and keep good employees, how to sell high-end products, how to set up tank displays that sell, freshwater/saltwater husbandry and other topics such as lighting and filtration. The Aquatic Answers pavilion will help meet those needs in a more personalized setting,” she continued.

Leading industry experts such as Julian Sprung, Jeff Turner, Joe Olenik and Patrick Donston will answer questions posed by store owners, managers and employees during 45-minute “Ask the Expert” sessions in the pavilion. Retailers may reserve session slots, each accommodating two stores, on the Backer Web site, www.hhbacker.com, beginning Jan. 15, or on-site during the trade show. Sessions will be assigned on a first-come, first-served basis.

To further enhance the educational experience of aquatics retailers, Backer Associates also will offer two full-length seminars during the trade show. Patrick Donston will present “How to Run a Profitable Aquatic Department” at 6:30 p.m. on Friday, March 30. Additionally, a panel of industry experts will lead “How to Maximize Aquatic Supplies Sales” at 11 a.m. on Saturday, March 31. Both seminars will be held in the convention center.

And that’s not all: One lucky aquatics retailer will win a $5,000 grand prize on the last day of the show. Eligible retailers can get entry forms at registration and from participating Aquatic Answers exhibitors.

Backer Associates is offering special incentives for exhibitors who participate in the pavilion, including complimentary high-quality water plus drain-and-fill services.

For information on participating in the Aquatic Answers pavilion, contact Colette Fairchild at (312) 663-4040, Ext. 232, or cfairchild@hhbacker.com, or Julie Wichert at (312) 663-4040, Ext. 231, or jwichert@hhbacker.com. [January 2007 PET AGE]