A record-breaking total of 1,696 buyers representing 3,329 pet stores, pet supply outlets and other companies attended the Pet Industry Joint Advisory Council of Canada’s 19th National Pet Industry Trade Show, held Sept. 16-17 at the International Center in Mississaugua, Ontario,

The buyer count increased 1 percent from 1,674 last year, and the company count increased 49 percent from 2,239 outlets last year, according to Susan Dankert, communications coordinator for the Ottawa, Ontario-based trade association.
The show featured 209 companies in 393 booths. The exhibitor count was down 3 percent from the 216 companies in last year’s show, but the booth count was up 3 percent from 381 booths last year.

To celebrate the association’s 20th anniversary, officials hosted a gala dinner featuring a keynote address by Marshall Meyers, executive vice president and general counsel of the Pet Industry Joint Advisory Council (Washington). Builder Awards were presented to former board members who were instrumental in starting and nurturing the association: Frank Corrigan of Family Pet Super Centre (Sherwood Park, Alberta); Mark Hagen of Rolf C. Hagen Inc. (Montreal); David Hill, formerly of Holmstead & Sutton Law Firm (Perth, Ontario); Marshall Meyers of PIJAC; Udo Schachtschneider, formerly of Aquarium Toronto (Barrie, Ontario); and Peter Schlichtmann of Burgham Sales Ltd. (Scarborough, Ontario). Leader Awards went to past presidents whose guidance helped advance the association: Clarke Cameron of Jungle Book Pet Shop (Fredericton, New Brunswick); Rénald Sabourin of Aquacentris (St. Philippe, Quebec); and Derrick Walker of Aquience Inc. (Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island).

The board also surprised executive director Louis McCann with the aptly named Louis McCann Award, honoring individuals who have “reached the pinnacle” in supporting, promoting and protecting the pet industry through their involvement with PIJAC Canada.

Leading up to PIJAC Canada’s national show were regional shows in British Columbia Quebec.

A total of 288 buyers representing 253 companies attended the Western Pet Expo, held Aug. 19-20 in suburban Vancouver, British Columbia. There was an 11 percent decrease from 325 buyers last year, but a 20 percent increase from 210 buying outlets. “Although the number of individual visitors was less than last year, the total number of retail outlets represented was significantly increased, which appealed greatly to the exhibitors,” Dankert said.

The Western Pet Expo featured 72 companies in 98 booths. The exhibitor count dropped just slightly from 73 companies last year, and the booth count decreased 8 percent from 106 booths last year.

A total of 977 buyers representing 744 companies attended ExpoZoo, held Aug. 26-27, in St.-Hyacinthe, Quebec. The buyer count was almost identical to last year’s 970, but there was a  41 percent increase from 528 buying outlets last year.
The exhibit hall featured 98 companies in 179 booths. The exhibitor count was up 7 percent from 91 companies last year, and the booth count was up 10 percent from 162 booths.

PIJAC Canada will host four shows in 2008:
• Calgary Pet Industry Trade Show, April 27, at the Calgary Stampede in Calgary, Alberta.

• Western Pet Expo, Aug. 17-18, at the Richmond Curling Club in Richmond (Vancouver), British Columbia.

• ExpoZoo, Aug. 24-25, at the Hôtel des Seigneurs in St. Hyacinthe, Quebec.
• 20th National Pet Industry Trade Show, Sept. 21-22, at the International Center in Mississaugua (Toronto).

In addition, PIJAC Canada will host the Canadian pavilion at Interzoo, May 22-25, 2008, in Nuremberg, Germany.