By Staff
Groom Expo West, which takes place from February 14th–17th, is a groomer’s best friend—and let me tell you why! Imagine how you feel as a groomer in February—it’s FREEZING outside, all of the beautiful Christmas lights and holiday cheer have left, as well as the New Year’s excitement. Your lungs freeze up with icicles any time you go out to walk the dogs, your hands are constantly frigid which makes using your shears difficult, and you would kill for the tiniest bit of sunshine. At least in March you know that spring is right around the corner, but not February…February is borderline unbearable.
This is what makes Groom Expo West so amazing! It gives you the opportunity to take an educational vacation to a warm, tropical place as a business expense during the coldest time of year. One where you could refresh, rejuvenate and not to mention, get out of the glacier temperatures back home.
Groom Expo West takes place in Pasadena, California where you can soak up the lovely views of The Huntington Botanical Gardens, go for a hike around Eaton Canyon or go out for some authentic Mexican food & margaritas with like–minded groomers!
In addition to giving yourself a much–needed break, you can increase your grooming knowledge with 50 different educational seminars to choose from, taught by the industry’s leading professionals such as, Jonathan David, Teri DiMarino, Michell Evans, Jodi Murphy, Cheryl Purcell, Jess Rona, Olga Zabelinskaya and many more.
Groom Expo West is home to the World Cup Grooming Games. This premier grooming competition is where the nation’s best groomers vie for colossal awards and prize money in all levels of competition.
The 2019 contest sponsors are American Kennel Club, Nature’s Specialties, Geib Shears, Earthbath, Conair Pro Pet, Foxy Roxy’s Supply Co., and Wag’n Tails. Each tournament features combined classes and levels of skill. Classes offered are Poodle, All Other Purebreds, Wire Coated Breed, and Sporting & Salon Freestyle. The last day of the expo will feature the ever popular Andis Creative Styling Tournament.
To top off this fun–filled educational experience, there will be over 80 different booths at the massive trade show to shop the newest, top–of–the–line grooming products. The best part of the trade show is being able to talk to the vendors about their products and how they can benefit your work as a groomer. Tradeshow passes include all shopping and contest viewing, in addition to floor demonstrations. Any pet professional can attend the tradeshow, free of charge, by telling registration that Chelsey sent you.
The expo had an astounding attendance increase of 10.3% last year, making it the second largest grooming show in the world, next to Groom Expo in Hershey, Pennsylvania. We are excited to see what 2019 brings. 
