Preparing for Global Pet Expo 2018

The beginning of the year marks the start of a brand new season of pet trade shows and industry events all year long. One of the most anticipated events of the pet industry is none other than Global Pet Expo, and the show is expected to be big as ever in 2018.

In 2017, there were over 6,700 buyers, 1,130 exhibitors, and over 16,600 total attendees at the event. This year, APPA expects over 1,100 exhibitors, 7,000 buyers, 3,400 booths, and over 3,000 new products on the show floor.

Why Global Pet Expo 2018?

Global Pet Expo is an international coming together of pet industry professionals from all over the globe. It offers a chance for pet businesses to get an edge up on competition by being educated on current market trends, business guidelines, the latest products and services available to them, and networking opportunities.

According to Annie Rotberg, Director of Attendee Serviceses for APPA and Global Pet Expo, "Global Pet Expo provides tools to grow your business and knowledge to be relevant at a very competitive time." At the show, you will be able to:

  • Discover value and explore the variety of products to keep your product lines fresh for your customers
  • Find new products that reflect emerging technologies and the growing awareness of functional health benefits of pet food
  • Connect face-to-face with decision makers and the innovators who have brough these exciting products to market
  • Experience comparison shopping with new and familiar vendors who bring their complete product lines for you to consider
  • Take time to be inspired by a superlative line-up of educational seminars (like these). Topics are designed to provide insight and ideas related to opportunities and challenges in today's competitive marketplace

Preparing for a Trade Show

To get the most out of a pet trade show such as Global Pet Expo, follow these steps:

  1. Plan out your days – This includes having a clear strategy (and goal) in mind for your attendance and doing your homework on products, exhibitors, and seminars ahead of time.
  2. Schedule meetings with exhibitors – Pick a few of the top vendors you must see at the event and reach out to them ahead of time to schedule a meeting. This will help you plan your timeline and make sure you see the most important vendors.
  3. Be realistic about your budget – While it might be tempting to write purchase orders for every cute pet stroller and cat toy you see, holding back and having a clear view of your budget will help ensure you don't overspend.
  4. Be social with networks and networking – With the Internet, there are multiple ways to stay up to date with the latest market trends and business strategies these days. A huge part of Global Pet Expo is being able to meet and visit with people you wouldn't otherwise see. Note: be on the lookout for these ten types of people you'll meet at pet trade shows!
  5. Have a smart plan for post pet trade show email correspondence – Once you get home, it's likely that you'll have a large number on your email notification bubble. Be smart with how you follow up; respond only to the vendors who are offering assistance and guidance, rather than just trying to sell you the next "Uber for dog treats" (whatever that means).

Planning for Global Pet Expo

As mentioned previously, it's smart to begin the planning process for Global Pet Expo ahead of time. There are a variety of resources you can use to get started. The sooner, the better!

Learn About the Show

Register for Global

Book Your Hotel

Get Childcare Onsite

Reflect on Global Pet Expo 2017

Let's Go to Global!

 

This article originally appeared on blog.allpointsmarketing.com

TropiClean Takes On New Leadership

TropiClean Pet Products is proud to announce Landon Hobson as the new CEO of Cosmos Corporation. Cosmos Corporation is TropiClean’s manufacturer that oversees TropiClean Pet Products on the Pet Specialty side and Naturel Promise Pet Products for Food Drug Mass.

Hobson joined TropiClean in 2016 as the Director of Operations and will resume as the new Chief Executive Officer effective immediately. 

“I’m thrilled to be a part of this wonderful company. The pet industry is growing, and our company continues to innovate new products and packaging to satisfy the needs of pets and their people. The TropiClean leadership has made the brand a trailblazer in the industry, and I look to bring my expertise and experience to continue our success,” says Landon Hobson.

Prior to joining TropiClean, Hobson received his Bachelors of Science from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro in Business and Tourism Development.  He then went on to receive his first Master’s Degree from Southeastern Theological Seminary in Christian Thought & Cultural Engagement. Landon received a second Master’s Degree from Columbia University in International Economics along with a Masters Certificate in Leadership & Development.

Outward Hound Recapitalizes with J.W. Childs Associates

Outward Hound® has entered into a partnership with consumer products and retail expert J.W. Childs Associates in a deal announced in December.

J.W. Childs has a successful portfolio of current and exited investments that include notable successful brands including Meow Mix, Hartz, Pinnacle Foods, Kosta Browne, Mattress Firm, Bass Pro Shops, RevZilla.com and many more.

 “Outward Hound will continue creating innovative products in the pet space and could not be more excited about our new partnership with J.W. Childs that will take us to the next level with both our retail partners and consumers,” said Outward Hound® Founder & CWO (Chief Woof Officer) Kyle Hansen. “We completed four acquisitions over the last 3 years including Petstages, Dublin Dog, Nina Ottosson and Bionic with the goal now of expanding our portfolio even more in current and new categories.”

 “We’re excited about our investment in Outward Hound® and the fantastic leadership team that has built one of the fastest growing brands in the pet space,” said J.W. Childs Partner David Fiorentino. “The innovative product portfolio in multiple categories create exciting opportunities to deliver great products for pet parents around the world and accelerate growth.”  

 Four executives from J.W. Childs will join the Outward Hound Board of Directors: Partners David Fiorentino and Adam Suttin, Vice President Kyle Casella and Operating Partner Philip Damiano.

Philip Damiano Operating Partner at J.W. Childs and former CEO of Idea Paint, COO of Velcro and President of Esselte, a Rubbermaid Company will be appointed Chairman of the Board, working closely with Mr. Hansen and management.

Philip commented, “I’ve been actively involved in numerous brands over the last three decades and am extremely impressed with the best-in-class performance the Outward Hound® management team has delivered.  I’m excited to be working closely with Kyle and the great team as they continue to grow and develop the Outward Hound® brand portfolio around the world.”

About Outward Hound 

Outward Hound® creates meaningful innovations with the best team in the industry that solve big problems for pet parents and is a leader in dog & cat supplies sold around the world. Outward Hound is an award-winning innovator, manufacturer and distributor of the highest quality toys, games, gear, collars, and feeders under the Outward Hound, Petstages, Bionic, Nina Ottosson and Dublin Dog brands.

For more information, please visit www.outwardhound.com and check out how we Raise The Woof on Facebook or Instagram every day.

About J.W. Childs Associates 

 J.W. Childs is a Boston-based private equity firm focused on investing in middle-market growth companies. Since inception in 1995, J.W. Childs has invested in excess of $3.5 billion of equity capital in 48 companies across the consumer, specialty retail and healthcare industries. The firm’s success has been built on its industry focus and the extensive operating expertise of its partners. For more information, please visit www.jwchilds.com.

 

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