Attending Global Pet Expo 2019? You Definitely Need a Plan!

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By: The Pet Business Professor

According to John Gibbons, president of A GPS for Pet Businesses, the first Global Pet Expo (APPMA) occurred 61 years ago with 17 exhibitors in 30 booths. The industry and the show have both come a long way since then. In 2019 attendees will see and experience:

-1145 separate exhibitor booths – with companies from the U.S. and 25 other countries – a Global experience!

-Over 357,000 square feet of booths (Plus 30,000 sq ft for the New Product Showcase). Global Pet Expo 2019 actually occupies more than 18 acres of prime Florida “real estate”.

-1000 new items in the New Product Showcase plus 3000 more launched on the exhibit floor.

-Sharing the aisles with 16,000+ attendees, more than 6000 “buyers”.

-The opportunity to choose from 34 different educational seminars – 49 hours of classes.

-5 miles of aisles – just to walk the exhibit floor.

The show floor is open for 26 hours so let’s put this in perspective and… “Do the Math!”

If you don’t attend any seminars, visit the New Product Showcase, stop to chat with anyone in the aisles or for food, a drink or to go to the bathroom and maintain a walking speed of 2.5 mph, you can spend about 1 minute and 15 seconds with each exhibitor…You definitely need a plan!

Global Pet Expo definitely has it all… and more. Attendees will find the broadest selection of products and services while Exhibitors have the opportunity to reach a wide range of buyers across all retail channels.

First and foremost, Global is about Pet Products – Food, treats and a vast array of Supply categories. A regular flow of New Products is always critical to keep businesses and the whole industry strong and growing. Obviously, you must take the time to visit the New Product Showcase. You should also sign up for any relevant classes, network with other industry professionals and…walk the whole show. There are 3 times as many new products being “launched” on the show floor as there are on display in the New Product Showcase. Plus, 1 of every 3 exhibitors was not at Global 2018. Global is about gathering information and making decisions to improve your business – whether they are made on the spot or put on your “must do” list.

Every business can improve in terms of products. If you are a retailer, what sections of your store are not doing as well as you hoped and need a “facelift” or conversely, what areas are growing and need products to fill additional space? Category managers for distributors and retail chains may only be interested in targeted visits to exhibitors relevant to their “categories”. Representatives may be looking for new manufacturers…in specific product categories. Manufacturers could be looking to find distributors to handle their products or just looking to “check out” the competition. In regard to products, there is always something to see…for everyone!

And Global is the place to see it. It’s all there! With so much to see and do, Time is perhaps the most valuable commodity at the show. How do you make the most of your time on the show floor?

Read the full piece here to find out.