Pet Industry Christmas Trade Show Changes Name to Backer's Total Pet Expo; Unveils New Features, Web Site

April 21, 2013

H. H. Backer, which runs what was once called the Pet Industry Christmas Trade Show every fall in Rosemont, Ill., has not only renamed the show – Backer’s Total Pet Expo – but also launched several new event features and debuted a new Web site.

This year’s event will be held Sept. 20-22 at the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center.

"Our goal is to help attendees get a jump on the competition for 2014 and finalize their holiday season buying for the year, which will be easier now that we have September dates," said Colette Fairchild, the show's director.

She added, "We will feature a greater variety of new exhibitors and products and offer a new twist on the educational portion of the show. We want buyers to leave Backer's Total Pet Expo with the education and motivation they need to be successful.”

The show’s new name also was reflected in a redesigned, easy-to-navigate new Web site by U.K.-based ASP Events, www.totalpetexpo.com, that organizers said would “help buyers find the vendors, products and services they want to see quickly and easily and make the registration process faster.”

On the showfloor that has more than 500 exhibitors on two floors, here are just a few of the new features that will be unveiled at this year’s show:

Pet Store on the Floor. A new 3,500 square foot retail store serves as a resource center on store layout, merchandising, staff training and POS options.

The Idea Wall. A 30' long wall, located near the Pet Store on the Floor, provides a forum for sharing and reading retail tips. Prizes are awarded for the best ideas.

Full Day Pre-Show Seminar on Retail Sales and Marketing. Retail expert Bob Negen of WhizBang! Training presents "Explode Your Sales: Marketing Ideas So Effective They Will Blow Your Mind."

Backer Buyer Rewards. Qualified attendees are rewarded for placing orders at the show. Attendees receive a $75 Visa gift card for every $3,500 spent at the show (up to three cards per firm).

The show will continue to offer its other popular specialty areas, including expanded All-Natural and New Exhibitor areas and the "Celebration of Style" Grooming Competition, featuring more than $20,000 in cash and prizes.

Backer's spring trade show, on tap April 9-11, 2014, in Atlantic City, N.J., also will assume the Total Pet Expo (Spring) name.

Significant changes to the biennial event will be announced early next year, according to show management.

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