By Staff
September 17-20
Hershey Lodge & Convention Center – Hershey, Pennsylvania
GroomExpo.com
The Biggest Event in the Grooming Industry Looks to Get Even Better in 2015!
Groom Expo looks to continue the grooming show attendance trends of the last few years. Shows have consistently shown an increase in the number of groomers attending and companies exhibiting.
So far in 2015, Barkleigh’s Groom Expo West, Northwest Grooming Show and PetQuest have had double digit growth. WPA’s Atlanta Pet Fair reported a 17% increase over last year. “Trade show participation in the grooming industry is growing at a much faster pace than the national average for business to business expos,” states Barkleigh show planner, Rebecca Shipman.
Every groomer has their own reason for attending. “I go to learn more. Stay ahead of the game,” states Jenette Herzberger, a groomer and the owner of Furry Affair in Clayton, GA. “Also, there are great deals to be had”. Hannah Fleck from LexPet in Lexington, Kentucky points out “What better way to keep up with the latest trends and products than going to watch the professionals do hands on right in front of you.”
Groom Expo will feature plenty of opportunities to do just that. Groom Expo, the world’s largest pet care show, will take place September 17th-20th in Hershey, PA. This year will feature seminars on everything from breed demos, pet massage, Asian fusion, skin & coat care, business, cat grooming, pet and groomer health, equipment care, creative grooming, mobile grooming and much more.
Highlighted this year will be the timely AKC Salon Certification class offered for the first time this year. Also, the very popular Brusher/Bather Certification Class will return. The show will also feature almost all of the top talent in the grooming industry competing and/or teaching classes. Several companies even offer free booth demos from industry experts.
Besides the GroomTeam USA sanctioned breed profile classes, Groom Expo also hosts a creative grooming contest, creative runway competition and the Lambert Kay National Rescue Roundup Invitational.
“The competitions, education and shopping are all very important,” States Barkleigh president Todd Shelly, “But I think the fellowship with other groomers that share the same passion is the most important part of a grooming show.” Hannah Fleck seems to agree, “I went to my first trade show and seminars just a month ago in Ohio and I cannot even begin to try and put into words all the wonderful people I met and all the things I learned about.”