Global Pet Expo, the World's Largest Annual Pet Product Trade Show, Reports Record-Breaking Numbers
Greenwich, CT (PRWEB) April 01, 2014 -- The American Pet Products Association (APPA) and the Pet Industry Distributors Association (PIDA) are pleased to announce Global Pet Expo 2014 was a huge success, reporting record-breaking numbers in exhibitors, buyer and media attendance and total booths sold. Experiencing an increase in growth on all fronts, the 10th Annual Show featured 5,597 buyers in attendance, a five percent increase over last year, more than 3,000 new pet product launches, 985 exhibitors and 2,896 booths sold – the highest post-show numbers to date. Total show attendance came to nearly 14,000 people, with 289,600 square footage of exhibit space. To put those numbers in perspective, Global Pet Expo ranks #72 in size out of the 10,000 shows that take place annually in the U.S.
“Over the past several years hosting this Show in Orlando, our numbers have consistently grown at an impressive rate,” said Andrew Darmohraj, APPA executive vice president and COO. “So it was fitting that our Tenth Annual Global Pet Expo once again demonstrated record-breaking numbers across the board. It was the perfect time to announce that Orlando and the Orange County Convention Center will be the official home to our Show through 2019.”
Global Pet Expo has solidified its position as THE must-attend industry show, and there’s no better place than at Global Pet Expo for exhibitors to showcase their products and give thousands of buyers from around the world a first look. “We’d like to thank all the buyers, exhibitors, and media who participated in this year’s show making it another record breaking year, and demonstrating that it truly was ‘Too Big To Miss.’”
On a truly global front, 16% of exhibitors were international, making up 156 of the 985 exhibitors. An impressive 27% of buyers were from outside of the U.S., coming from 76 countries – another clear indication that Global Pet Expo has once again proved itself as a key trading opportunity for companies from around the world.
The 2014 Show also saw record-setting media attendance ranging from pet industry specific magazines and bloggers to major national media outlets like the TODAY Show, Hallmark, The New York Times and USA Today; this coverage further demonstrates the widespread interest in pets.
Once again, social media played a large role in communicating all the latest news taking place at the Show. Attendees sent more than 4,100 tweets about Global Pet Expo during the week of the Show, generating more than 18.8 million impressions. Global Pet Expo’s Twitter following has grown 44% since the 2013 Show and its Facebook page has grown a staggering 207% over the same period of time. The Show’s YouTube channel has experienced a surge as well, with views up 31% from 2013.
This year, founder, publisher and editor-in-chief of international successes Modern Dog and Modern Cat magazines, Connie Wilson, was honored with Global Pet Expo’s annual “Excellence in Journalism and Outstanding Contributions to the Pet Industry Award” for her commitment to the industry. Wilson accepted the award March 13, 2014 at the media-exclusive Purina® Media Reception at Global Pet Expo.
The 2014 Show featured more new product launches than any other show in the industry, and had more than 900 entries in the New Products Showcase alone. Now in its fourth year, the New Products Showcase Awards Presentation also proved successful. The “Best in Show” ceremony took place on the show floor and was hosted by veterinarian and media personality, Dr. Marty Becker. With more entrants than ever, buyers narrowed down top picks out of more than 900 products across nine categories to determine the “Best in Show” winners. Becker also gave a nod to his favorites with his annual “Becker’s Best” awards.
“The 3,000 new product launches at this year’s show included products with a charitable angle, more advances in technology, like interactive treat dispensers and dog collars that keep you apprised of your pet’s activities while you’re away, as well as products that provide innovative solutions for every day life such as pet raincoats and feeders that promote a slower eating process,” said Darmohraj. “From the practical to the outrageous, the vast array of new products launched each year never ceases to amaze me, and this year was no exception.”
Also released at the Show were industry figures estimating more than an impressive $58 billion in pet spending for 2014; the release can be found in its entirety in the Association’s press center at http://www.americanpetproducts.org.
Global Pet Expo was recently named one of the 50 fastest growing trade shows in total attendance in the Trade Show Executive (TSE) Fastest 50 rankings, and has been recognized for the past five years with the Trade Show Executive Annual Gold 100 Award. The 2015 Global Pet Expo will take place Wednesday – Friday, March 4 – 6, 2015 in Orlando, FL, at the Orange County Convention Center. For details, visit http://www.globalpetexpo.org.
For more information, interview opportunities or online access to hi-res photo gallery, please contact Jamie Baxter at 775-322-4022 or Jamie(at)theimpetusagency(dot)com.
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 2014 Show featured 985 exhibitors, 2,896 booths and more than 3,000 new product launches. Additionally, 5,597 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 2015 Show will take place March 4-6, 2015 in Orlando, FL at the Orange County Convention Center. For more information, visit http://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 http://www.americanpetproducts.org for more information.
Pet Industry Distributors Association (PIDA) has represented the interests of pet product distributors since 1968. The mission of PIDA is to enhance the well-being of the wholesaler-distributor, to promote partnerships with their suppliers and customers and to work cooperatively with other organizations in fostering the human-companion animal bond. Visit http://www.pida.org for more information.
Jamie Baxter, American Pet Products Association, +1 (775) 322-4022, [email protected]
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