SuperZoo University – Aquatic Success with Absolutely Fish
The following blog was written by Patrick Donston, owner of “Absolutely Fish” and aquatics expert. Patrick will be a featured speaker at SuperZoo University.
I’ve always mentioned the best part of trade shows is networking and the seminars you attend. Running a business (particularly in the aquatics part of this industry) is like a puzzle. There is no one formula, aspect or area to master to be successful. We have to utilize our best resources, craft them to deliver clear messages that your shop is the place for product, service, fun and, most importantly, health of specimens. The most profitable aquatic shops are constantly attending educational forums and trying new ideas they’ve learned about. They understand their growth leads to success and this requires change by listening to new marketing, training, and communication theories.
To market your aquatics as “the best” is to have more than efficient advertising. E-marketing and ads only brings potential clients in once. True marketing is what you put in front of them once they’ve entered into your shop. It’s the message you send through your staff and livestock displays. To learn more about me and my shop go to www.absolutelyfish.com.
Many of us are perplexed with aquatic livestock and ways to make it profitable. It starts with well sound husbandry techniques. Unlike other sectors of the pet industry, the aquatics are more of a hobby, not companion pets. Potential clients seek the most divers-best fish available. Improving your livestock takes more than a good supplier. In order for shops to achieve this, they must have confidence through documentation to make professional decisions. I recently incorporated the same program to our local zoo www.tutlebackzoo.com with ecstatic feedback from the keepers and aquarists.
Learning disease-related solutions, equipment and constructing a documented husbandry system is a start to truly marketing an aquatics department. It teaches your staff sound aquarium keeping practices. They’ll educate your clients better, keeping them updated on newer techniques and products. Remember your staff is the face of the store. One thing I forgot to mention is “fish-fanatics” like to go where the service and knowledge is best. By the way, this is “fun” for them.
It all starts with the husbandry you incorporate and the lessons you teach your staff. This seminar will be sure to show you some of these techniques, but also how to connect the information with your staff so they become better educated. It’s a great way to believe in your aquatics department and make it profitable.
To see more of my personal network accomplishments go to http://absolutelyfish.com/pages/?page_id=22, or to read more of my educational work go to http://www.petproductnews.com/ppn-editorial-blog/fish-absolutely/default.aspx. I hope to meet you at the show!
SuperZoo – Making Your Travel Arrangements
SuperZoo 2011, held at the Mandalay Bay Convention Center and Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino September 13-15, is coming quickly and we at SuperZoo want to make your experience a great one! While we do everything we can to make this pet industry trade show the most educational and informative event it can be, we also want to make sure that your Las Vegas experience is a great one! With world-class hotels, dining, spas, shopping, nightlife, and entertainment, Las Vegas offers many wonderful options to enhance to your trip.
One of the ways that SuperZoo hopes to help you with your experience is by helping you with your accommodations. We have arranged for special hotel rates from a selection of great hotels including: Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino, THEhotel at Mandalay Bay, Luxor Hotel and Casino, Excalibur Hotel and Casino, and the pet-friendly Alexis Park Resort Hotel. We’ve also arrange for discounts for the Las Vegas KOA at Circus Circus (RV Park) and Oasis Las Vegas RV Resort as well as a 5% discount on car rentals through Avis. So if you haven’t made your travel arrangements yet, be sure to take advantage of these offers. But be sure to make your reservations soon as the last day to make your discounted reservations is August 11!
To view the discounted hotel rates as well as the other travel information that are available through SuperZoo, please visit http://superzoo.org/attendee-hotel-and-travel.
SuperZoo Provides Outlet for Groomers to Grow their Trade
The National Show for Pet Retailers offers innovative grooming seminars and contests during the annual trade show held in Las Vegas
MONROVIA, Calif. – SuperZoo, the National show for pet retailers, is once again incorporating the Groomer SuperShow into the three-day pet industry trade show that is taking place at the Mandalay Bay Convention Center Sept. 13-15, 2011. At the Groomer SuperShow, professionals within the grooming industry have the opportunity to learn about the latest pet grooming products, trends, techniques and timesaving innovations by attending various seminars, observing and competing in various contests, and visiting with various industry experts.
The Groomer SuperShow Seminars at SuperZoo University offer a variety of relevant seminars taught by some of the grooming industry’s leading experts. These groomer-geared seminars offer in-depth, cutting-edge content in order to give groomers the tools, tips, and strategies needed to make their business successful. For a detailed list of the seminars that are being offered as well as the experts that will be speaking, visit http://superzoo.org/groomer-supershow/grooming-seminars.
Another feature of the Groomer SuperShow are the Grooming Contests, a series of contests devoted to advancing pet groomers and the pet grooming industry. The contests come in all classes and a variety of categories with cash prizes ranging from $50 – $10,000. On top of the regular classes, there will also be competitions in the following special classes:
- Best First Time Competitor – This competition is open to anyone who has never competed, who is entered in an Entry Level Competition, and who has indicated on their original competitor entry form that they have never competed in a GroomTeam (GT) Sanctioned contest.
- Creative Styling Competition – Competitors will be judged on creativity and technique in this exhibition of colorfully-staged, uniquely-presented and exquisitely-groomed dogs while using props and music for the presentation.
- Rescue Rodeo Competition – Groomers must create a clean, well groomed dog, using rescue dogs from shelters. Not only will the top 3 placements win a cash prize, but the supplied dogs’ rescue organization will also take home a cash donation.
- Groomer Super Jackpot – The first 40 competitors to sign up for this open level grooming competition will compete for the $20,000 cash prizes with First Place being $10,000.
In addition to the Grooming Contests, the World Pet Association (producer of SuperZoo and the Groomer SuperShow) has partnered with Grooming Business Magazine to present the Crystal Awards for Grooming Achievement. The prestigious awards honor grooming excellence and professional skills within the industry.
For more information about the Grooming Contests, the Groomer SuperShow, and SuperZoo, visit superzoo.org.
ABOUT THE WORLD PET ASSOCIATION
The World Pet Association (WPA), formerly the World Wide Pet Industry Association, is the oldest industry organization promoting responsible growth and development of the companion pet and related products and services. As society’s “humanization” of pets grows stronger, WPA knows it is important to inform and educate the general public to ensure safe and healthy lifestyles for our animal friends. WPA plays host to America’s Family Pet Expo, the largest consumer show in the world, hosted annually in Costa Mesa, Calif., and beginning in July 2011 in Puyallup, Wash. The organization also holds SuperZoo (www.superzoo.org), an annual pet industry trade show that showcases a comprehensive collection of exhibits and offers a variety of informative educational seminars known as SuperZoo University. WPA also offers Pet Industry Briefs, a free weekly e-newsletter containing vital industry information at your fingertips. For more information on WPA or to sign up for Pet Industry Briefs, please visit www.worldpetassociation.org.
The SuperZoo App – Taking the Trade Show Experience to a New Level
SuperZoo, the national show for pet retailers, is the place to see the latest trends in pet products and to learn about the emerging consumer trends through a cutting-edge professional education program. Known as the retail pet industry innovator, SuperZoo is going a step further by also providing attendees with the latest technology that will make the SuperZoo experience even better.
The SuperZoo smart phone app can provide attendees access to important event information with a simple punch of a key or touch of a screen. Download the app and take advantage of the technology that can greatly enhance your expo experience. With the SuperZoo app, you can:
- Look up vendors by name to find their booth location
- See the SuperZoo agenda
- View maps of the exhibitor halls that show where exhibitors are located
- Read about the speakers that will be featured at SuperZoo University
- Follow SuperZoo on Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, Flickr, and You Tube during the Expo Receive alerts on event news and updates throughout SuperZoo
- And more!
To take advantage of the SuperZoo app, simply scan the barcode below with your smart phone or visit, www.eventmobi.com/sz2011 and bookmark it to your home screen!
Scan the SuperZoo barcode with your smart phone to access important event information.
New Pet Industry Summit to Precede SuperZoo
The World Pet Association (producer of SuperZoo), Pet Industry Advisory and Pet Product News International magazine have announced that they will be hosting the 1st Annual Pet Industry Executive Summit in Las Vegas on Monday, September 12, 2011, the day before this year’s SuperZoo pet industry trade show. Please check out the news story published on PetProductNews.com!
New Pet Industry Summit to Precede SuperZoo
The World Pet Association, Pet Industry Advisory and Pet Product News International magazine will host the 1st Annual Pet Industry Executive Summit on Monday, Sept. 12, 2011 in Las Vegas.
The inaugural event is designed to bring pet retailers, manufacturers, distributors and media professionals together to discuss the challenges and opportunities facing the pet industry.
Four panel discussions are scheduled. They are:
• Building Effective Partnerships Between Distributors, Manufacturers and Retailers;
• Differentiating Your Store from the Competition – Proven strategies to jump start your customer acquisition campaign;
• Channel Wars: When Products Migrate from Independents to Big Box and Mass; and
• Social Media: When Customers Talk, Are You Listening?
In addition to the panel discussions, the pet industry summit will feature eight seminars. Topics include market demographics, legislative issues, consumer buying habits and how to spot the next hot product.
The 1st Annual Pet Industry Executive Summit is scheduled for the day before this year’s SuperZoo pet industry trade show, which is set for Sept. 13 to 15, 2011, also at the Mandalay Bay Convention Center in Las Vegas. Special rates are available to SuperZoo attendees.
For more information click here.
Discounts on SuperZoo University
- Focused, topical coursework is presented in five targeted tracks: Sales, Marketing, Staff Development & Management, Animal Wellness and Technology/Internet.
- Targeted opportunities for Groomers, including seminars and the Groomer SuperShow competition.
- Expert tips, experiences and strategies from renowned speakers, business leaders, and animal wellness experts.
- One-of-a-kind networking opportunities allow you to share ideas and increase your knowledge.
Save $20 Registration Fee when you register online.
