Global Pet Expo Show Shakedown

Global Pet Expo Transportation Update

Global Pet Expo organizers are committed to continuously making all aspects of the Trade Show experience as positive and productive as possible, and work year round to address concerns and suggestions for change that are submitted following each show. One issue encountered by many show attendees last year related to transportation to and from hotels and the Orange County Convention Center.

Concerns have been raised that some of the non-metered vehicles charge inconsistent rates and in some cases are the only available choice. As a result, Tracey Wilson, Global Pet Expo's Show Manager, Special Events and Meetings testified, along with senior management from the Orlando Convention and Visitors Bureau and the Orange County Convention Center, before the Orange County Board of Commissioners in an effort to address concerns related to these transportation issues.

We understand in this tough economy that we are all operating on tight budgets and need to be able to anticipate ahead of time what our travel expenses may be. We have asked local government to consider assisting us in achieving the following:

In cases where hotels have policies of mandatory use of Town Cars in which they all charge different rates we ask that

-a fair and consistent rate be established up front and that it is unchanged from day to day. Attendees feel that they are being taken advantage of when they don't know what the fare will be up front.

-Most attendees would prefer that every hotel have metered taxi cabs available and if not, posting of rates or some consistency in pricing with Town Cars would be the next best option.  

-an adequate number of metered taxi cabs are available at the OCCC

We will keep you posted on our progress with this situation, but assure you we are working diligently on resolving these issues. 

 

Trade Show Executive's Gold 100 Award

I’m proud to report that Global Pet Expo was recently awarded Trade Show Executive’s 2nd Annual Gold 100 Award.  We are thrilled to receive this prestigious award honoring the ‘best and brightest’ in the trade show industry.

What makes it even more rewarding is the fact that while many shows across the globe are suffering due to tough economic times, we were fortunate to enjoy an increase in attendance at Global Pet Expo 2009. The energy and business transactions that took place on our show floor this year was unbelievable. All indications are that Global Pet Expo 2010, set to take place in Orlando March 25-27, will be just as strong.

To receive this acknowledgement from Trade Show Executive is truly a testament to the Global Pet Expo staff and their tireless efforts to continue to make this Show the premier pet products trade show in the pet industry. We are also tremendously grateful to the exhibitors and buyers who commit to this show each year, and help bring to consumers the latest and greatest in pet product innovations.

Trade Show Executive selected its Gold 100 trade shows from the 4,000-plus trade shows held in the U.S. each year as tracked in its ZOOM® calendar and subscriber database. The top 100 shows are the market leaders in their industry sectors, ranging from aviation to woodworking. 

Visit APPA Booth #2554 at SuperZoo and Booth #423 at H.H. Backer

The American Pet Products Association (APPA) and Global Pet Expo staff is excited to experience yet another year at SuperZoo in Las Vegas, Nevada and H.H. Back in Chicago, Illinois.

With so many doom and gloom stories infiltrating the news, some of which report decreased attendance at meetings and trade shows in the United States, pet industry players fear how the current economic environment might affect the pet industry and pet product trade shows. Luckily, a diverse and growing selection of vendors and buyers coupled with continuing and thriving pet product development seen at pet trade shows including Global Pet Expo, SuperZoo and H.H. Backer, assures us that the pet industry remains resilient even in a down economy.

Americans value their pets and no matter the economic climate, pets remain a top household priority - which is why all industry parties must support one another in a unified cause to promote and continue support for the pet industry and pet ownership in general.

As the pet industry continues to grow at a record pace, it is important to attend these trade shows not only for business benefit, but to contribute to the success of the pet industry as a whole. Which is why Bob Vetere, members of our staff and I will be at SuperZoo and the Backer show. If you have any questions regarding the association, the industry, the economy, etc., please refer to our staff for helpful information. The same goes for Global Pet Expo exhibitors and buyers- our team will be there to assist you with any questions or concerns you might have. Our APPA and Global Pet Expo staff will be accessible at all times to meet your needs and provide you the tools necessary for Global Pet Expo preparation!

Exhibitor Prospectus

If you are interested in exhibiting at the 2010 trade show, you must meet the following requirements:

• To exhibit as a Pet Products Manufacturer, companies must be a member of the American Pet Products Association (APPA). Click here for information on APPA membership.

• To exhibit as a Pet Products Distributor, companies must be a member of the Pet Industry Distributors Association (PIDA). Click here for more information on PIDA membership.The 2010 Exhibitor Prospectus contains the following:

• Exhibitor Space Application & Agreement - Available Now!
• Interactive Floor Plan
• Display Rules
• Checklist of Deadlines
• Priority Points
• Show Rules

For more information visit www.globalpetexpo.org

Global Pet Expo Media Coverage

Global Pet Expo Media Coverage from Global Pet Expo on Vimeo.

How to Reach Your Customers in a New Era

Are you using any forms of social media to help promote your product and prepare for Global Pet Expo? Does your product have its own Facebook group, blog and Twitter page? Many people are now adopting the new form of online marketing to help promote their product and presence at Global Pet Expo and it is helping search results and making it easier to communicate with a specific audience.

In order to keep up with competitors, it is a good idea for pet product manufacturers to consider some of the newest and latest tools available.

Click here for a podcast on how you can reach your customers in a new era.

Download APPA_-_20090625_-_Building_Pet_Product_Brands_with_Social_Media.wmv (8485.1K)

The Advantages of Reserving Space in Advance for Global Pet Expo 2010

Although Global Pet Expo 2010 is nearly a year away, now is the time to start thinking about your plans for next year's show. Don't wait to reserve a booth because booth assignments are based on the number of priority points you have. To be assigned according to your points, you must fill out an application available at www.globalpetexpo.org and have the application in by July 21, 2009. After that date assignments will be made on a first come, first serve basis so it is important to make sure you submit your application early.

First, you will want to make sure you choose the booth configuration that shows off your product- you don't want to cram too much product into a small space. If your booth felt too crowded or busy with product at this year's trade show or if your line has expanded, you may need additional booth space. You will also need to take into account the shape and design of your booth. Designing and building a new pop-up booth is costly and time consuming. To ensure a job well done, get bids from a  few companies and be sure that the booth is in your office with enough time to spare so that you can put it up and make changes if needed.

Whether you use a pop-up booth or not, change how you display your merchandise. Upgrading your display fixtures or developing a new theme for your booth will make your product look fresh and new. Even if your product line hasn't changed, the fact that your bbooth has, will attract more attention to you and your product.

You will also need to consider which of the four specialty areas on the show floor is most relevant to your product. If you manufacture fish products, you will want a booth in the "Everything Aquatic" area. If your products are geared toward the pampered pet, take a booth in the "Boutique" section at Global Pet Expo.

Information on the specialty areas and all the information you need to reserve your booth is available at www.globalpetexpo.org.

If you have any questions, please feel free to leave a comment.

New York Daily and Zootoo News Confirm Pet Product Industry Growth

As I have mentioned in previous blogs, Global Pet Expo 2009 exceeded expectations with 779 exhibiting companies, 2,306 booths and total buyer attendance up this year by 2%. The outcome of Global Pet Expo both in terms of numbers and energy is an extraordinary example of the industry's resilience and reinforces our research that Americans value their pets.

I wanted to share two great articles about the industry's economic successes. Zootoo News recently published an interesting article about retail purchases remaining steady in a shaky economy. According to the article, PetSmartInc., of Phoenix experienced sales growth by 8.5 percent during 2008, and 2.3 percent during the first quarter of 2009. PetSmart Senior Vice President Chip Molloy noted that the company continues to "remain cautious about the economic climate" and to not anticipate more than "low-single digit sales comps" this year, although the company generally expressed an optimistic attitude, given its recent performance.

Smaller pet product stores have found success in marketing higher-priced health products. Consumers are really buying into the fairly new organic theme, which was relevant at this year's Global Pet Expo. The natural pet product explosion is occurring on a mass-market level and manufacturing natural products has more of a competitive appeal and holistic product trends are gaining popularity nationwide.

Keeping in line with APPA's findings, pet companies are also finding the most success in selling "practical stuff" like food, treats and toys, versus more frivolous items, like sweaters and T-shirts. An article about pet spending published in the New York Daily interviewed Upper East Side deluxe boutique Le Chien about their business and apparently, the store had not sold any of its made-to-order $6,500 pet cabanas but they are moving tons of toys and treats.

Both articles in the New York Daily and Zootoo show us that even in tough times, pets come first. It's a matter of love, which industry experts, including Global Pet Expo, hope will continue to grow despite troubled times.

Global Pet Expo 2010 to Launch a New Pet Product Section

The growing popularity of all-natural, earth-friendly organic pet products is a trend that is quickly growing within the pet industry. A variety of organic products introduced at this year's Global Pet Expo made it apparent that the 'Going Green' idea has strongly influenced the pet products market, raising awareness about environmentally friendly practices and products that concern our pets. Pet owners adhering to sustainable living are now making decisions for their pets that align with their eco-friendly lifestyle.

In the past, natural pet products were mainly the pursuit of smaller marketers, but now, larger companies have infiltrated the field and the natural pet product explosion is occurring on a mass-market level. Manufacturing natural products has more of a competitive appeal and holistic product trends are gaining popularity countrywide pet product manufacturers and marketers are charting new courses of growth with natural products. Organic and eco-friendly items are at the center of the new product explosion and the number of new pet products both food and non-food supplies tagged "natural" or "organic" have almost doubled through out the year,s while the number of products making other "natural-related" claims more than doubled.

The influx of natural products at this year's trade show speaks to a growing trend that will only continue to develop and evolve as the years progress - which is why we have m made the decision to launch The Natural Pet at Global Pet Expo 2010. this section will highlight new, innovative products for the eco-friendly pet owner as well as encourage and help foster growth in this product sector. We are thrilled to introduce this new section for next year's trade show and know it will be a popular addition amongst a growing number of pet product manufacturers who have taken an interest in natural products.

Global Pet Expo 2009 Experiences Growth Despite Recession

With numerous reports of decreased attendance at trade shows nationwide, I was certain of how the current economic environment would affect our industry at this year's Global Pet Expo in Orlando, Florida. According to a survey report issued by UFI, the Global Association of the Exhibition Industry found that 62% of show organizers around the world saw their business decline in 2008 and nearly 70% said they expected at least a 10% decrease in revenue in the first half of this year.

After compiling the final show numbers from Global Pet Expo 2009, I am happy to say that Global Pet Expo exceeded expectations. Thousands of vibrant, innovative and useful new pet products were introduced at the Show and exhibitors were happy with the high quality buyers in attendance.

Global Pet Expo featured 779 exhibiting companies, 2,306 booths and total buyer attendance up this year by 2%. International attendance this year was higher than ever before, at nearly 25% of the total buyer attendance rate, representing 65 countries from around the world!

What I found most interesting was the growth in number of companies that came to Global Pet Expo to buy pet products. There was a 17% increase in companies that attended. Attendance by retailers that sell live animals jumped 33%. Single unite retailer attendance grew by 33% and the number of pet boutiques increased by a whopping 49%.

The outcome of Global Pet Expo both in terms of numbers and energy is an extraordinary example of the industry's resilience and reinforces our research that Americans value their pets. No matter the economic climate, pets will remain a top household priority and industry spending figures announced at the show reflect that. As projected, industry spending in 2008 hit $43.2 billion and is projected to grow another 4.9% to $45.4 billion in 2009.

Not only was our team ecstatic about the outcome of this year's Global Pet Expo, but exhibitors and visitors left with a renewed sense of optimism and a strong sense of momentum. Attendees witnessed a variety of innovative, unique pet products from games that teach fish to perform tricks to a lost dog tracker and intelligence graded dog puzzles. Each year thousands of great new products are launched and debuted at Global Pet Expo, I am looking forward to what 2010 will bring!