We attended the Global Pet Expo yesterday. If you are not familiar with the show it is the pet industry’s largest annual trade show. The show is not open to the public. Rather, it is attended by manufacturers, buyers, press and other industry insiders. Each year, we go to “Global” to learn about what’s new and noteworthy for the dogs that we love so much. We also go to network with the people who make everything happen in this space. People come literally from all over the world to attend this amazingly huge show.
Something hit me yesterday that was very profound. The show is all business for sure. To say that it is run well is an understatement. All of the major players are there. But even as business-oriented and professional as the show is there is a sort of softness and whimsy that can only come from meeting people that truly love animals.
I just don’t think that one can spend too many years in this industry without having a true passion for pets and an appreciation for pet ownership.
Going to the show and meeting with all of the exhibitors, press members, buyers, etc…it became obvious to me that as much as we were all talking “business,” we were all talking about love even more.
It seemed like everyone I met was telling stories about their pets and relating them to their products. Further, as much as sales, profits and potential entered into the conversation, so were stewardship and charity. For example, Poodle and Pooch Rescue (we covered them in Issue 5 ) was at the show with some of their adoptable dogs. I can’t stress enough – this is a business expo. But I commend the organizers for realizing the opportunity to connect deserving dogs with wonderful and loving homes.
Honestly, talking to all of the people at Global was like coming home. These are “my peeps.” These people get me. They get YOU and me. They as nuts about their animals as you and I are and they are not afraid to show it. It is completely natural to, in the midst of talking shop, show off one’s pictures of their furbabies.
If you are reading this, you love your dog as much as I do. But you also know that many people just simply don’t understand what it is like to give your heart over to your pet. Well, this a huge convention full of people that understand and agree with you. Can you just imagine what that feels like? Let me answer it for you in one word: AWESOME.
In an upcoming issue of Little Pampered Dog we’ll bring you what we feel is the best of the best of what we found at the show. You might not have been there physically, but I want to bring you that show experience in an upcoming issue. If you want to be notified via email of when that issue is available just join our mailing list below. I can’t wait to share it all with you.