Pages 4, 6, 54, 56
Scenes From the Show Floor
Page 8
Industry News and New Products
Page 18
Today Global Pet Expo
Page 22
Q&A: Celeste Powers
Page 28
Farewell to a Leader
Page 36
The New Pet Retail Landscape
Page 38
Hard Goods Are an Easy Sell
Page 40
Relationships Are Hard
Page 42
Combining Form & Function
Page 44
What Are You Selling?
Page 48
Dining Delights
THURSDAY MARCH 21, 2019
2DAYSHOWDAILY
Just like a fine wine, Global Pet Expo keeps getting better with age. Now in its 15th year, the show continues to grow in terms of size, attendance and success, underlining what most people walking the aisles already know: the pet
industry’s getting hotter by the day, and there’s no better time
to be part of it than now.
“Everyone wants in,” says Leslie Yellin, executive vice presi-
dent of Multipet International (booth #3257). “In my experi-
ence, there’s never been a bad year, but now more than ever,
everyone’s stepping up their game.”
Consumers themselves are having the biggest influence
over the industry—but given their increasing expectations for
the products they buy, this shouldn’t come as any surprise.
According to Yellin, as customers become more knowledgeable about what they’re buying and where those products
are made, companies have to go beyond just churning out an
unending stream of lackluster products to meet demand. All
manufacturers have to be compliance-minded, aware of testing standards, and able to create and maintain a strong set of
values in order to stay relevant.
From consumers to distributors to retailers, “everyone is
setting their standards higher,” explains Jennifer Cao, co-founder and designer of ZippyPaws (booth #1909), noting that this extends to the way that companies sell to this
discerning consumer base. “Customers are expecting elevated
marketing tactics, new advertising strategies and multifaceted
Industry Innovation
THE MOST TRUSTED NAME IN THE PET INDUSTRY
The first day of Global Pet Expo proved that the industry shows no sign of slowing down.
BY KELLY LINDENAU
NEWS AND INFORMATION FROM THE GLOBAL PET EXPO FLOOR AND CONFERENCE SEMINARS, ORLANDO, FLORIDA
The #1 Retail Brand in
Pet Behavior Management
Find your Calming Solution for Cats & Dogs at Booth 2101
OR VISIT US ONLINE AT COMFORTZONE.COM
CALMING PRODUCTS MULTI-CAT PRODUCTS
(left to right): The Multipet team showcases some of the dogs that are up for adoption at its booth. Dr. Bob Goldstein (middle) partakes in a
Q&A at the Earth Animal booth. Justin Miccuci and Jennifer Cao showcase ZippyPaws’ Storybook and Happy Hour Crushers lines.
continued on page 53
