The event is set for March 21-23.
STAMFORD, CT – American Pet Products Association President and CEO Bob Vetere announced that 2018 marks the 60th anniversary for the association. APPA, and the Pet Industry Distributors Association, which will be celebrating 50 years in the industry, will host the 14th annual Global Pet Expo March 21-23 in Orlando, FL.
APPA has come a long way since its beginnings in 1958 as the American Pet Products Manufacturers Association with just a handful of members and a trade show smaller than Global Pet Expo’s New Products Showcase, according to a press release. Today, the association is over 1,200 members strong and works primarily to promote responsible pet ownership and advance the pet products industry. As a trade association, APPA provides services and programs including Global Pet Expo, government and regulatory affairs, market research and additional industry support.
“When looking back at where it all started, not just our Association, but the pet industry in general, it’s amazing to see the progress we’ve made and all the work that has led us to where we are today,” said Vetere. “What started as a small industry with only a few key players has evolved into a $66 billion industry that continues to grow.”
For the past 50 years, PIDA’s mission has been to enhance the well-being of wholesaler-distributors and to promote partnerships with their suppliers and customers. Such efforts have included the Pet Store Pro online training program for independent retailers and the Pet Industry Leadership Conference bringing all segments of the industry together for networking, education and problem solving.
“I can’t think of a more appropriate place to celebrate our anniversary than at Global Pet Expo,” said Steve King, president of PIDA. “We have been partners with APPA on this Show, among many other ventures, for years and we share the same mission of advancing our great industry and helping businesses succeed in this environment.”
As part of APPA’s celebration of six decades in the industry, the group is inviting past and current members along with any other individuals and organizations to submit a photo or video celebrating their own experiences in the industry. Do you have an interesting story of what got you into the pet industry? Do you have a vintage image of your pet products 20 or 30 years ago? Share stories, images, videos and more using the hashtag #APPAs60th on APPA’s Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/AmericanPetProducts/.