Plethora of new products in San Diego

The Global Pet Expo lived up to its reputation as the most important US pet product fair once again this year. Even if the visitor numbers were again pretty modest – no official figures were yet available as PET in Europe went to press – it was well worth a visit to San Diego, especially since the total of over 700 new products exhibited set a record. This year too saw the presentation of “best booth” awards at the Global Pet Expo. The awards are presented in three categories, large booth, small booth and ‘What’s New!’ which is specifically for first- time exhibitors. In the large booth category, which recognizes booth configurations of 400 sq. ft. or more, the winner was Meow Mix Company. Set up like an old fashioned soda shop, this eye-catching booth would certainly be a feline’s favourite dive. Second place in this category went to Pet Gear, which used creative roping to form a ceiling to floor tent that encompassed the entire booth. In the small booth category, which recognizes small booth configurations of 300 sq. ft. or less, the winner was Pet Soup. Second place was awarded to Natural Balance Pet Foods. In the What’s New! category, the first prize was awarded to Petropics. Second place went to Zuba, which made a splash with bright, colourful graphics of its products that were used as a backdrop and attracted the attention of everyone passing by.Awards were also presented to the winners of the “Best in show” categories in the new products showcase. Nearly 700 new pet products were eligible for selection. APPMA awarded first and second prizes in eleven categories, as well as honourable mentions. The winners were:
Aquatics: Best in Show Casco Group with its product “Baby biOrb Aquarium Kit”, 2nd place, Ancient Mariner, “Aquarium Power Gravel Vacuum” (APGV-100), 3rd place, Flagship International, “Magic Crystal Globe Aquarium”; Birds: Best in Show Kaytee Products, “EZ Care bow front cage” for large birds, 2nd place Kaytee Products, “Forti-Diet Egg cite”, 3rd place Rolf C. Hagen (USA), “Vision knockdown bird cages”; Cat: Best in Show Wellmark, Zodiac “Pet Specifix Topicals”, 2nd place Petnovations, “CatGenie”, 3rd place Monitech, “Let meow’t” window-mounted cat patio; Dog: Best in Show Four Paws, “Four Paws 3-in-1 Pet Stroller”, 2nd place Petailing, “Stuff’N Sniff”, 3rd place Poly Brite International, “lighted collar cover”;Equine: Best in Show TFH Publications, “Good Horsekeeping”, 2nd place HBH Pet Products, “Apple Bites Horse Treat”, 3rd place…