SUPERZOO 2023 Surpasses Expectations With Surge in Pet Professional Turnout
September 11, 2023
As North America’s largest pet retail trade show for the $100 billion pet industry, SUPERZOO is known for a vibrant expo showcasing innovative products and trends, industry-leading education, hyper-competitive grooming contests and valuable networking opportunities. But this year, the event witnessed a stronger-than-expected increase in attendees and key decision-makers from the U.S. and abroad.
Held Aug. 16-18 at the Mandalay Bay Convention Center in Las Vegas, the annual expo and conference welcomed nearly 18,000 pet professionals — a 10% increase compared to 2022 — from 84 countries, as well as more than 10,000 key decision-makers, representing a 6% increase from the previous year.
The dynamic event was also empowered by a comprehensive data audit to ensure the presence of qualified retail buyers, a strategic approach that yielded more than 10,000 qualified pet industry retailers, buyers and decision-makers, surpassing any other pet trade show in North America by 33%, according to show officials.
“This year’s SUPERZOO surpassed our highest expectations, reaffirming its status as the definitive event for the pet retail community,” said Mike Karsting, senior vice president for World Pet Association. “The enthusiasm displayed by attendees, exhibitors and industry leaders alike was truly remarkable. We are thrilled to have fostered an environment where connections were forged, ideas were shared and the pet industry’s vibrant future was charted.”
Spanning 330,000 square feet, the expansive, curated show floor featured 1,100 exhibitors displaying the latest pet industry trends amid featured specialized areas, including the New Product Showcase, Emerging Brands, Natural and Health, Specialty and Lifestyle, Farm and Feed, Aquatics, Birds, Reptiles and Small Animals, Groomer’s Marketplace and the International Pavilion.
“We love coming to SUPERZOO because we get to meet our customers and our buyers and get a pulse on what’s happening within the industry,” said Exhibitor Paul Semanski, marketing lead for N-Gage Brand. “We spend a lot of time investing in and talking to our customers and potential buyers so we can continue to innovate our products to meet their needs.”
At the New Product Showcase, which celebrates the innovative advancements and visionary ideas transforming the pet industry, a massive lineup of more than 1,058 debut products vied for recognition by a panel of industry experts, who assessed each entry and awarded first-place winners and runners-up in 10 product categories, as well as the Judges Award for the Best New-to-Market Pet Product.
The show also witnessed a diverse mix of retailers, ranging from industry giants such as Woof Gang Bakery, Petland, Pet Supplies Plus, Petco, PetSmart, Kahoot’s, Chewy and Hollywood Feed to independent businesses.
“SUPERZOO is a fantastic platform for brands that might not have widespread recognition to showcase their offerings and highlight what sets them apart,” said Attendee Zach Ward, store manager of Tomlinson Feed and Pets Inc. “This event has provided valuable insights to me and my team, leading us to discover exceptional products that we’re eager to introduce in our stores.”
Offering more than 65 sessions led by more than 30 industry leaders, the show’s education program presented dynamic content geared to the specific needs of retailers and groomers, while Free Show Floor Talks provided valuable insights into e-commerce strategies, social media marketing and other crucial aspects of running a successful pet business.
SUPERZOO also recognized “pawsome” creativity and talent at its ever-popular grooming contests, which offered more than $35,000 in prizes across nine competitions awarding excellence in regular breed classes and special categories.
Beyond the showfloor, the show’s special events included the popular evening SUPERZOO Beach Party featuring live music and networking at Mandalay Bay Beach, as well as the new Venture Capitalist Panels presenting a variety of startup pitch competitions, including the Leap Venture Studio Pitch Competition supporting underrepresented founders competing for a $10,000 prize.
SUPERZOO will return to Mandalay Bay Convention Center Aug. 14-16, 2024.
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Partner Voices
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The award-winning Orange County Convention Center (OCCC) goes the extra mile to make every day extraordinary by offering customer service excellence and industry-leading partnerships. From their dedicated in-house Rigging team to their robust Exhibitor Services, The Center of Hospitality brings your imagination to life by helping you host unforgettable meetings and events. With more than 2 million square feet of exhibit space, world-class services and a dream destination, we are committed to making even the most ambitious conventions a reality.
In October 2023, the Orange County Board of County Commissioners voted to approve allocating Tourist Development Tax funding for the $560 million Phase 5A completion of the OCCC. The Convention Way Grand Concourse project will include enhancements to the North-South Building, featuring an additional 60,000 square feet of meeting space, an 80,000- square-foot ballroom and new entry to the North-South Building along Convention Way.
“We are thrilled to begin work on completing our North-South Building which will allow us to meet the growing needs of our clients,” said OCCC Executive Director Mark Tester. “As an economic driver for the community, this project will provide the Center with connectivity and meeting space to host more events and continue to infuse the local economy with new money and expanding business opportunities.”
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OCCC Events:
This fiscal year, the OCCC is projected to host 168 events, 1.7 million attendees, and $2.9 billion in economic impact.
The Center’s top five events during their 2022-2023 fiscal year included:
AAU Jr. National Volleyball Championships 2023
200,000 Attendees
$257 Million in Economic Impact
MEGACON 2023
160,000 Attendees
$205 Million in Economic Impact
Open Championship Series 2023
69,500 Attendees
$89 Million in Economic Impact
Sunshine Classic 2023
42,000 Attendees
$54 Million in Economic Impact
Premiere Orlando 2023
42,000 Attendees
$108 Million in Economic Impact
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