The American Pet Products Association and the Pet Industry Distributors Association reported record-breaking numbers of exhibitors, buyers and media attendance, and total booths sold at 2013 Global Pet Expo.
Global Pet Expo, held February 20-22 in Orlando, Florida, USA, featured 5,327 buyers, a 5 percent increase over 2012, more than 3,000 new pet product launches, 964 exhibitors and 2,686 booths sold–the highest post-show numbers reported in Global Pet Expo’s nine-year history. Total show attendance was more than 13,000 people.
Global Pet Expo grew its international presence by 19 percent with 172 exhibitors, up from 145 in 2012. International buyers represented 71 countries and accounted for 27 percent of attendees.
The 2013 show saw record-setting media attendance, ranging from pet industry-specific magazines and bloggers to national media outlets like Good Morning America, TODAY, Hallmark and USA Today. Social Media played a key role in the 2013 show, as well, with 4,300 tweets about Global Pet Expo from buyers, exhibitors and media sent out during the week of the show. The show's Twitter page grew 38 percent over the past year, while its Facebook page grew 36 percent.
Another show highlight were the awards presentations. The New Products Showcase Awards, hosted by veterinarian Dr. Marty Becker, honored new pet product launches, while the “Excellence in Journalism and Outstanding Contributions to the Pet Industry Award" honored 2013 recipient Sandy Robins, a pet lifestyle journalist, author and spokeswoman.
The 2014 Global Pet Expo will take place Wednesday through Friday, March 12–14, 2014, at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, Florida, USA.