GROOM’D: WPA Hosts Pet Grooming Conference, Unveils New Event Name

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Press release: World Pet Association

More than 2,500 pet grooming professionals gathered from March 10 to 13 at Atlanta Pet Fair & Conference, the Southeast’s largest event dedicated to grooming professionals, for all-star grooming contests, expert-led education and networking opportunities. At the event, World Pet Association (WPA) unveiled that the event would be rebranded as GROOM’D. As pet grooming’s favorite event, GROOM’D more accurately reflects the excitement and creativity of the nation-wide community of professionals. GROOM’D will continue to be the place pet groomers go to advance their careers through education, contests, networking and community.

“When brainstorming, we wanted to ensure that a new name of the annual gathering matches this exclusive, high-energy community. GROOM’D modernizes our event, and the new simplified logo and colorful imagery better represent everything the pet grooming community brings to Atlanta each year. As we look back on the success of 2022, we can’t wait to meet next year for the first-ever GROOM’D,” said WPA president Vic Mason.

The 2022 event featured a show floor with 82 exhibitors showcasing the latest in grooming tools, fashion and accessories, wellness products and more. Produced by WPA, the 2022 specialty event saw a 10 percent increase in attendance over 2021.

“Once again, we were blown away with the camaraderie this group brings every year,” Mason said. “We saw a new level of skill and creativity in our grooming contests, witnessed the latest innovation and trends on the show floor, and heard from exhibitors that they experienced high-quality leads.”

This year boasted some of North America’s largest grooming contests. With over $20,000 at stake, groomers of all levels showcased their talent in 10 contests. The 2022 first place contest winners are:

Mixed Salon

• Entry: Shawna Morgan
• Intermediate: Charlene Spencer
• Open: Veronica Frosch

Other Purebreds

• Entry: Ava Knight
• Intermediate: Guzal Adekoje
• Open: Lindsey Dicken
• Group: Lindsey Dicken

Wahl Clipper Classic (Sponsored by Wahl Clipper Company)

• Alyssa Kasiba

Wire Coats (Sponsored by Nature’s Specialties)

• Hand Strip Entry: Anais Estrada
• Hand Strip Intermediate: Ramie Burgess
• Hand Strip Open: Kristie Reisenweaver
• Hand Strip Group: Kristie Reisenweaver

Abstract Design Challenge

• Milena Kon

Sporting (Sponsored by Earthbath)

• Entry: Michelle McCotter
• Intermediate: Ashley Beltz
• Open: Mackensie Murphy
• Group: Mackensie Murphy

The Extreme Duo (Sponsored by Evolution Shears)

• Kat Early and Helen Schaefer

Poodles (Sponsored by TropiClean)

• Entry: Tiffany Rice
• Intermediate: Ramie Burgess
• Open: Veronica Frosch
• Group: Veronica Frosch

Creative Styling (Sponsored by Wag ‘n Tails Mobile Conversions)

• Entry: April Leitzsch
• Open: Alyssa Kasiba

Best in Show (Sponsored by Andis)

• Best First Time Competitor in Show: Anais Estrada
• Best International in Show: Jessica Daltrey
• Best in Show & Tour of Champions: Mackensie Murphy

Friday Night Reception (Sponsored by Evolution Shears)

The GroomBowl specialty event — where professional and amateur groomers competed as a team in a sporting style showdown — took place on March 13. After three rounds of competition, two teams were crowned the 2022 GroomBowl champions.

• Professional Division: The Fab Five: Mackensie Murphy, Lindsey Dicken, June Beckwith, Macie Pisa, Michelle Breen
• Amateur Division: Whitman’s Diamond Team: Kat Early, Sommer Ferguson, Jamie Battaglia, Stephanie Palmer

Attendees had the opportunity to sharpen their skills with an education line-up that featured 53 live demos, hands-on workshops and business seminars. Over three days, industry experts covered a wide range of topics, from grooming 101 and CPR/first aide to adding pizzazz to trims and savvy business practices. Fourteen sessions were designated as Professional Grooming Credential (PGC) badged courses that provided continuing education and study content toward the PCG exam. With WPA’s PGC program, pet groomers can participate in an administered, standardized measurement that assesses pet groomers’ practices and professional knowledge base, including foundational knowledge, safety and technical skills.