Dec 27, 2018

2019 Global Pet Expo set for March 20-22

As the first pet industry trade show of 2019, Global Pet Expo gives attendees the opportunity to see first-hand the newest pet products before they hit store shelves. Presented by theAmerican Pet Products Association (APPA) and Pet Industry Distributors Association (PIDA), the 2019 Global Pet Expo will take place March 20-22 in Orlando, Florida.

Special sections include Boutique, Natural Pet, Everything Aquatic and What’s New! As international participation continues to grow, the 2019 show will once again feature country-specific pavilions, providing participating country delegations their own dedicated space on the exhibit floor.

Companies launching new products can highlight them in the popular New Products Showcase, where buyers and media have the opportunity to preview all the newest products hitting the industry in one location. The 45,000-square foot space on the show floor is set aside to recognize the year’s best creative efforts in New Product and Point-of-Purchase Displays. Nearly 1,000 entries were submitted in 2018. The New Products Showcase “Best in Show” award winners will be announced at the Ninth Annual New Products Showcase Awards presentation. In order to be eligible to win, products must be entered in the New Products Showcase.

Attendees can also attend educational seminars at the 2019 Global Pet Expo Academy. Managed by PIDA, the 2018 seminar lineup featured 20 different speakers offering 35 hours of retailer education on topics such as social media marketing, competing with online retailers, merchandising tips, customer service solutions and the hottest topics in employment law. In 2018, the Academy expanded to include reformatted Mini-Sessions held in the New Products Showcase and aquatic-focused seminars held in the Aquatic Lounge. The seminars attracted a record 1,800 attendees.

The 2018 show featured 1,164 exhibitors, 3,523 booths sold, covering 352,300 net square feet of exhibit space—nearly 10,000 feet larger than the 2017 Show. 6,508 qualified buyers, 2,100 of which were first-time buyers, representing 79 countries around the world were in attendance.

Global Pet Expo is open to independent retailers, distributors, mass-market buyers, and other qualified professionals. The Show is not open to the general public.