(Greenwich, CT) – Andy Darmohraj, American Pet Products Association (APPA) Executive Vice President & COO, is proud to announce Global Pet Expo’s spot on Trade Show Executive’s 2014 list of 50 fastest growing trade shows, also referred to as the Fastest 50, in the attendance category.   The top 50 performers in the categories of exhibit space, exhibitors and attendance were selected based on the percentage of growth from 2012 to 2013.

“This year’s Global Pet Expo happens to be our 10th anniversary and it’s extremely exiting to see how far we’ve come, not only in the last year alone, but since our inaugural event 10 years ago,” said Darmohraj. “We’ve grown tremendously in terms of exhibit space, exhibitors and attendance, but are thrilled to be recognized specifically for our outstanding attendance growth last year.”

The elite shows in each category eclipsed all other shows in 2013 by growing dramatically more in net square feet (nsf) of exhibit space, exhibitors and attendance during 2013.  While the benchmark growth for the average trade show in 2013 was 2.2% in nsf, 2.0% in exhibitors and 0.7% in attendance (see the TSE Dashboard), Global Pet Expo beat that by a long shot, growing 8% in nsf, 7.5% in exhibitors and 10% in attendance.

The Fastest 50 rankings were determined from information supplied and certified by senior executives with the association or private show organizer responsible for the event and were evaluated by Trade Show Executive. All trade shows with a minimum of 15,000 net square feet held in the U.S. in 2013 were eligible. Visit www.tradeshowexecutive.com for more information.

Global Pet Expo, the pet industry’s largest annual trade show, is presented by the American Pet Products Association (APPA) and Pet Industry Distributors Association (PIDA). The 2013 Show featured 964 exhibitors, 2,686 booths and more than 3,000 new product launches. 5,324 pet product buyers from around the world attended. Global Pet Expo is open to independent retailers, distributors, mass-market buyers, and other qualified professionals. The 2014 Show will take place March 12-14, 2014 in Orlando, FL at the Orange County Convention Center. For more information, visit www.globalpetexpo.org.

The American Pet Products Association (APPA) is the leading not-for-profit trade association serving the interests of the pet products industry since 1958.  APPA membership includes more than 1,000 pet product manufacturers, their representatives, importers and livestock suppliers representing both large corporations and growing business enterprises.  APPA's mission is to promote, develop and advance pet ownership and the pet product industry and to provide the services necessary to help its members prosper. Visit www.americanpetproducts.org for more information.