The Retailer Excellence Awards are designed to honor outstanding independent pet stores in a variety of categories. The following retailers received designated awards in each of the 10 different categories:

West Lebanon Feed & Supply of West Lebanon, NH

Best Overall Single-Store Retailer: Awarded to Curt and Sharon Jacques, this award recognizes a single-store retailer for exceling in sales, customer service, store design, merchandising and community service.

Paws Natural Pet Emporium of Richland, WA

Best Overall Multi-Unit Retailer(less than 10 stores):Awarded to Doyle and Dorothy Hunter, this award recognizes multi-unit retailers with less than 10 stores for exceling in sales, customer service, store design, merchandising and community service.

Kriser’s of Chicago, IL

Best Overall Multi-Unit Retailer (more than 10 stores): Awarded to Brad Kriser and Ken Grouf, this award recognizes multi-unit retailers with more than 10 stores for exceling in sales, customer service, store design, merchandising and community service.

 Absolutely Fish of West Clifton, NJ

Best Live-Animal Specialty Store: Awarded to Patrick Donston, this award recognizes excellence in sales, promotion, display, concern and knowledge of a dedicated live-animal category. 

Treats Unleashed of Chesterfield, MO

Merchandising Excellence Award: Awarded to Teresa and Ian Miller, this award recognizes their outstanding creative techniques to promote sales and services.

Healthy Spot of Santa Monica, CA

Multi-Service Excellence Award: Awarded to Andrew Kim and Mark Boonnark, this award recognizes their effective offering of a broad spectrum of services including grooming, training, boarding, etc.

TailsSpin of Savannah, GA

Marketing Excellence Award:Awarded to Jusak Yang Bernhard and Jeffrey Manley, this award honors effective execution in sales and promotional techniques to increase sales and customers including the use of advertising, public relations, social media and more.

Chew On This Dog Barkery of Frankfort, IL

Customer Service Excellence Award: Awarded toTeresa Kara, this award recognizes an unmatched level of customer service, demonstrates familiarity with products and services, etc.

Royal Pets Market & Resort of Carollwood, FL

Excellence in Store Design Award: Awarded to Denise Wolin-Gore and Joe Gore, this award honors excellence in overall store design including merchandising displays, store layout, curb appeal and more.

Chuck & Don’s of Mahtomedi, MN

Community Service Award:Awarded to Chuck Anderson and Bob Hartzell, this honor recognizes fellowship, integrity and a clear demonstration that the store is committed to giving back to the community.

Entries were judged by a committee consisting of Global Pet Expo media, staff, members, as well as a panel of select retailers. For more information about the Show, please visit www.globalpetexpo.org.

AQUATICS

Best In Show

NoClean Aquariums, Booth 3181

Self-Cleaning Betta Aquarium

Second Place

Central Garden and Pet, Booth 1901

Aqueon LED Bubble Wands

Third Place

RefinedKind Pet Products, Booth 3617

Zooquariums

BIRD

Best In Show

Fetch-It Pets Inc., Booth 650

ZOO CHEWS FORAGING BIRD TOYS

Second Place

Prevue Pet Products Inc., Booths 2867, 2967

Pop up Park

Third Place

A&E Cage Co. LLC, Booth 1919

Java Wood Bird Toys

BOUTIQUE

Best In Show

Aquatica Gallery LLC, Booth 2987

Classic Paws Furniture-Style Pet Bed- Tyson Pet Bed Collection

Second Place

Dog SnorZ, Booth 582

Dog Snorz designer pillowcases

Third Place

Bow Wow Couture, Booth 315

Dog Collar with Bow/Bow Tie

CAT

Best In Show

Ware Manufacturing, Booths 2567 & 2667

Earthly Elements Curves

Second Place

PetSafe, Booths 3251 & 2757

FroliCat DART DUO

Third Place

PetSafe, Booths 3251 & 2757

FroliCat POUNCE

DOG

Best In Show

The Company of Animals, Booth 1583

Green

Second Place

Petstages Inc., Booth 1409

CRUNCHCORE Chewing Dog Toys

Third Place

Dog Gone Smart, Booth 2974

Dirty Dog Floor Runner

NATURAL PET

Best In Show

Ware Manufacturing, Booth 2567 & 2667

Bamboozles

Second Place

Fromm Family Foods LLC, Booth 3115

Fromm Four-Star Pork & Peas Recipe for Dogs

Third Place

The Pet Hydration People LLC, Booth 4219

LICKS Liquid Vitamins

REPTILE

Best In Show

Penn-Plax Inc., Booth 2413

Reptology Stone Hide-Away

Second Place

BioBubble Pets, Booth 1977

Terrarium Riser

Third Place

A&E Cage Co. LLC, Booth 1919

Reptile Javarium

SMALL ANIMAL

Best In Show

Ware Manufacturing, Booths 2567 & 2667

Critter Timbers

Second Place

A&E Cage Co. LLC, Booth 1919

Java Wood Natural Small Animal Chew Toys

Third Place

Ware Manufacturing, Booth 2567 & 2667

Rice Pop Paddy

POINT-OF-PURCHASE

Best In Show

Tropiclean Pet Products (Div. of Cosmos Corp.), Booth 2313

Tropiclean End Cap

Second Place

Ware Manufacturing, Booths 2567 & 2667

Chick-N-Cantina

Third Place

Timberline Live Pet Foods, Booth 1135

Cricket Display Case

Time: 2:00 PM Eastern

Global Pet Expo 2013 will be more interactive than ever!  Join us as we show you how to use social media to enhance your show experience.

You will learn:
•    How to maximize your reach during Global Pet Expo with social media
•    How to build buzz before and during the show, and how to maintain it afterwards
•    How to use Global Pet Expo’s social channels to enhance your show experience

The Retailer Excellence Awards will be awarded to one independent pet store in each of the following ten categories:

1. (NEW) Best Overall Single-Store Retailer: Recognizes a single-store retailer that excels in sales, customer service, store design, merchandising and community service.
2. (NEW) Best Overall Multi-Unit Retailer (two -10 stores) and
3. (NEW) Best Over Multi-Unit Retailer (10 or more stores):Two awards will recognize multi-unit retailers with between two and 10 stores and 10 or more stores that excel in sales, customer service, store design, merchandising and community service.
4. (NEW) Best Live-Animal Specialty Store:  Recognizes a retailer that excels in sales, promotion, display, concern and knowledge of a dedicated live-animal category. 
5. Merchandising Excellence Award: Recognizes a retailer that demonstrates outstanding creative techniques to promote sales and services.
6. Multi-Service Excellence Award: Recognizes a retailer that effectively offers a broad spectrum of services including grooming, training, boarding, etc.
7. Marketing Excellence Award:  Honors a retailer that effectively executes sales and promotional techniques to increase sales and customers including the use of advertising, public relations, social media and more.
8. Customer Service Excellence Award: Recognizes a retailer that provides an unmatched level of customer service, demonstrates familiarity with products and services, etc.
9. Excellence in Store Design Award:Honors a retailer that demonstrates excellence in overall store design including merchandising displays, store layout, curb appeal and more.
10. Community Service Award: Recognizes a retailer that demonstrates fellowship, integrity and a clear demonstration that the store is committed to giving back to the community.

1)   Ninety percent is just showing up. Being at a tradeshow in person and presenting what you have to offer directly to your target audience gives you a chance to get your own individual personality across. It allows you the opportunity to stand out from the crowd and allows you to answer questions and simultaneously build relationships that you never would have made online or through other impersonal marketing strategies.

2)   Showcases your work in a real-life setting. Although this may seem obvious, tradeshows allow prospective customers to literally pick-up your products, touch and feel them. This is a much different – and beneficial – experience than just seeing a picture of your product on your website. Plus it gives you the chance to fully explain and show how your product works, along with highlighting benefits your product offers that others at the tradeshow don’t.

3)   Reputation is everything. Attending tradeshows can help solidify your place in the industry, not only as a stellar company that makes reliable products, but also as an expert in the industry. Building on this reputation year-after-year can lead to increased sales and business prospects.

4)   Opportunity to Learn. Tradeshows are a unique opportunity to be in the same place and space as your competitors and clients. It’s an ideal way to observe what your competitors are doing right and what you’re doing wrong, or vice-versa. Tradeshows also let you speak to your audience directly. There are few chances in business to find out what your clients really require from your services and products, but exhibitions offer that chance.

5)   Ideas, ideas, ideas. Attending tradeshows not only gives you insight into what your competitors are doing, but it also gives you the chance to participate in great presentations and workshops. There you can have the opportunity to get a taste of new techniques and strategies that you can apply to your own business model. 

These are only a few of the ways tradeshows can help manufacturers sell more product and improve business.  If you want more, let me know at Andy@americanpetproducts.org

New Products Showcase Winners Announced for Global Pet Expo 2012

AQUATICS

Best In Show
Eshopps  Inc.
Lionfish/Jellyfish (orange)
Booth 1353

Second Place
Aquatica Gallery LLC
MAGIC GLOBE FOUNTAINS
Booth 1754

Third Place
Teddy Tank Technology  LLC
Teddy Tank
Booth 3179

BIRD

Best In Show
A&E Cage Co.  LLC
Java Tree Play Stand with Carvings
Booth 2882

Second Place 
AbsolutelyNew Inc.
Wild Bird Feeder
Booth 3617

Third Place
North States Industries Inc.
Birdpods
Booth 3257

BOUTIQUE

Best In Show
Tastybone USA
Tastybone Trio
Booth 3584

Second Place
26 Bars And A Band  Inc.
Paul Frank Pet Products
Booth 700

Third Place
Signature DNA
Unique DNA Art Products
Booth 3575

CAT

Best In Show
Ware Manufactring
Sky Climber Cat Ladder
Booth 2367 & 2471

Second Place
Our Pet's Company
Play-N-Squeak RealBirds Collection
Booth 2901

Third Place
Aikiou Company
Stimulo Cat activity food center
Booth 3566

DOG

Best In Show
Himalayan Corporation
Yaky Puff
Booth 4006

Second Place
JW Pet Company Inc.
Crackle & Crunch
Booth 2153

Third Place
Auggiedog c/o Vero Product Activations
auggiedog
Booth 4248

NATURAL PET

Best In Show
Ware Manufacturing
Hyacinth & Jute Bungalow Balconies
Booth 2367 & 2471

Second Place
Advance Pet Products
Natural Dog Toys
Booth 3824

Third Place
AB7 Industries
Biodegradable Natural Flea and Tick Collar
Booth 4055

REPTILE

Best In Show
Rolf C. Hagen (USA) Corp.
Exo Terra Turtle Terrarium
Booth 2701

Second Place
Penn-Plax  Inc
Reptology Tortoise Palace
Booth 2513

Third Place
Zoo Med Laboratories  Inc.
Interactive Meal Worm Feeder
Booth 1107

SMALL ANIMAL

Best In Show
Ware Manufacturing
Panoramic Habitats
Booth 2367 & 2471

Second Place 
Ware Manufacturing
Spin City
Booth 2367 & 2471

Third Place
BioBubble Pets
Wonder Bubble
Booth 819

POINT-OF-PURCHASE

Best In Show
Tropiclean Pet Products (Div. of Cosmos Corp.)
Tropiclean Fresh Breath End Cap Complete
Booth 2156 & 2313

Second Place
Thundershirt  LLC
Thundershirt Standing Floor Display
Booth 3810

Third Place
Ware Manufacturing
Chick-N-Café
Booth 2367 & 2471

The buyers, exhibitors, and media who participated in this year's show all contributed to making this our largest event to date. The overall success of this year's show sent a clear message that the pet industry is stronger than ever, and continues to attract entrepreneurs and innovators offering pet owners more products than ever for their pets. As owners continue to demonstrate that they value pets as members of the family, demand for the latest and greatest products is at an all time high. There's no better place for buyers to get a first look at these products than at Global Pet Expo, where there are more new product launches than any other show in the industry.

Ranked one of the top 100 tradeshows in the nation by Trade Show Executive Magazine, the Show has also grown in recent years with added special sections including the "International Pavilion," "Natural Pet," "Boutique," "Everything Aquatic" and "What's New!" For the second year in a row, these special sections completely sold out months prior to the show.  Created in response to growing pet product trends in the industry, special sections showcase popular product lines and make it easier for buyers to navigate the show floor.

Additionally, 145 international companies exhibited at the trade show gaining access to the U.S. pet products market and solidifying Global Pet Expo as a key trading opportunity for countries from around the world. There was also a strong showing in international attendance accounting for nearly 25 percent of the total buyer attendance rate, representing 65 countries from around the world.

The 2012 Show also saw record-setting media attendance ranging from pet industry specific magazines and bloggers to media like Good Morning America, TODAY, National Geographicand the New York Times, further demonstrating the global interest in pets. Show officials reported a significant increase amongst online news outlets and bloggers. Social media platforms played a significant role in Global Pet Expo communications efforts with buyers, exhibitors and media alike. More than 1,510 Tweets were sent during the Show (the show has 2,311 Twitter followers), close to 2,000 Facebookers "liked" the show, and there were 18,406 YouTube views related to the show throughout the week.

This year, TODAY correspondent and animal advocate, Jill Rappaport 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. Rappaport accepted the award March 1^stat the media-exclusive Purina^® Media Reception at Global Pet Expo. Nearly 150 distinguished members of the press were in attendance at this event held at the Rosen Centre.

Global Pet Expo's success was also reflected by pet industry spending figures announced at the Show's official press conference. As projected, industry spending in 2011 grew 5.3 percent from $48.35 billion in 2010 to $50.96 billion in 2011. APPA also projects a steady 3.8 percent growth rate through 2012, with nearly $53 billion in overall pet spending.

Now in its second year, the New Products Showcase Awards Presentation also proved successful. The ‘Best in Show' red carpet ceremony took place on the show floor and was hosted by veterinarian and media personality, Dr. Marty Becker.  With more entrants in the showcase than ever before, buyers narrowed down top picks out of hundreds of 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.

Everything you could ever think about needing for your pet is at Global Pet Expo, along with products you never even imagined needing or wanting. The 3,000 new product launches at this year's show included everything from teddy bear fish tanks and life-size dog speakers to GPS tech products and interactive feeding puzzles and games. If you're a part of this great industry, you must attend Global Pet Expo.

The 2013 Global Pet Expo will take place Wednesday - Friday, February 20 - 22, 2013 in Orlando, FL, at the Orange County Convention Center. For details, visit http://www.globalpetexpo.org/