Industry looks forward to US show

Around 700 companies will be presenting their pet products in an exhibition area of 210 000 square feet (19 500 m²). The organisers, the American Pet Products Manufacturers Association (APPMA) and the Pet Industry Distributors Association (PIDA), are particularly pleased to welcome 150 companies to the fair for the first time. Apart from the big international manufacturers, the exhibitors’ contingent is made up primarily of US and Canadian firms. The Global Pet Expo is open to independent specialist retailers, distributors, mass-market buyers, wholesalers and other visitors who are professionally involved in the pet product industry.Last year 2 213 visitors from multi-unit retailers and distributors came to the Global Pet Expo in Orlando, along with 2 152 visitors from single-unit retailers. As at last year’s event, when the Global Pet Expo was staged for the first time by APPMA and PIDA as a combined show, the most innovative new products will be recognised by inclusion in the “New Product Showcase”.  Around 700 new products will be presented at the competition, according to information from the organiser. A further attraction at the show will be the presentation of the “Best Booth Awards” to the exhibitors with the most attractive stands.For the traditional Global Pet Expo Annual Breakfast, held on the Friday of the show, Joan Embery has been invited as the key speaker. Joan Embery has served as a goodwill ambassador for the Zoological Society of San Diego for the last 30 years and speaks to zoos and animal organisations across the United States to promote conservation and support for wildlife programmes. In the United States she is well known for her television appearances with animals. Joan Embery has also led worldwide educational tours exploring the wild habitats of Asia, India and Europe and has trained and handled some of the world’s rarest and most unusual animals, from aardvarks to zebras.The accompanying programme of events features a golf tournament on 22 March and the Global Pet Expo Networking Reception for exhibitors on 24 March. There are also various seminars and lectures especially for the retail trade.
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