Global Pet Expo: Retailers Share Advice in 5 Words of Less

EDITOR’S NOTE: We asked the PETS+ Brain Squad to share advice on attending Global Pet Expo — in five or less words.

• Bring a water-filled camelback. — Julie Johannes, Powder Hounds Pet Supply, Bigfork, MT
• Tie in a vacation weekend. — Kat Forry, A1 Pet Emporium, Oklahoma City, OK
• Talk to everyone! — Julie Breault, The Hairy Sofa, Wichita, KS
• Don’t talk too much! — Rachael Creech, Adventure Pets, Mandeville, LA
• Find an electric scooter. — Mary Kenkel, Whole Dogz, Alexandria, VA
• Pace yourself and stay focused! — Pamela Modica, Lazy Creek Pet Food Center, Lexington, SC
• Footwear. Cart. Plan. Budget. — Learn. Robin Jerdee, Beast Buffet, Monroe, WI
• Have a plan. Don’t wander. — Keith Henline, Asheville Pet Supply, Asheville, NC
• Drink anytime you see CBD. — Nancy Guinn, Dog Krazy, Fredericksburg, VA
• Visit New Product Showcase first. — Amy Schiek, Lucky Dogs, Skaneateles, NY
• Meet me at Disney. — Julie Sterling, Julz Animal Houz, Marysville, WA
• Comfy shoes. Portable charger. Snacks. — Annabell Bivens, The Dog Store, Alexandria, VA
• Wear sneakers. Bring rolling case! — Johnna Devereaux, Fetch RI, Richmond, RI
• Don’t sell it? Keep walking. — Cathy, Dervalis, Dog Day Afternoon, Belleville, IL
• Be polite to the reps! — Rebecca Martino, Stately Pet Supply, Clarks Summit, PA
• Don’t make eye contact. — Sarah Terrill, A&A Pet Supply, Frisco, CO
• Take notes and pics! — Diedra Giles, Reeses Barkery and Pawtique, McHenry, IL
• Ask for deals not offered. — Tonya Christiansen, Must Love Dogs, Grand Haven, MI
• Get/fill out order sheets before. — Ben, Huber, Petagogy, Jeannette, PA
• Don’t overspend. — Ruth Sturgis, Dog Daze, North Syracuse, NY
• Don’t get overwhelmed. — Paige Elder, Buzz n’ B’s Pet Shop, Erie, PA
• Plan ahead and drink water. — Samantha Youngblood, Youngblood’s Natural Animal Care Center & Massage, Wilkinson, IN
• Be friendly, grow your network! — Angela Pantalone, Wag Central, Stratford, CT
• Different comfortable walking shoes daily. — Janelle Pitula, Wags to Whiskers, Plainfield, IL
• Seminars are worth it! — Brianna Swanberg, Mutts + Meows Natural Pet Market, Mt Juliet, TN
• Pray for your staff daily! — Stephanie Cox, Central Animal Inn, Herrin, IL
• Talk to new vendors first. — Rachel McGinnis, Leo & Lucky’s, Parrish, FL
• Walk floor, then place orders. — Jeff, Jensen, Four Muddy Paws, St Louis, MO
• Schedule time off for yourself. — Paul Lewis, The Green K9, Mount Dora, FL
• Have a plan! Have fun! — Angie Scavone, Sniffany’s Pet Boutique,Albany, OR
• Wear comfy shoes. — Liz Harris, Creatures Featured, Madison, FL
• Pace yourself. Wear comfy shoes. — Gary Albert, Ruff Life Pet Outfitters, Petoskey, MI
• Have fun. Wear comfortable shoes! — Frank Frattini, The Hungry Pupppy, Farmingdale, NJ
• Wear good walking shoes! — Jennifer, Hall, All Things Pawssible, Charlottesville, VA
• Wear comfortable shoes! — Kaye Busse-Kleber, Bark On Mulford LLC, Rockford, IL
• Breathe. Relax. Take your time. — Maria Cetrola, Buddy’s Pet Stop, Barnegat, NJ
• Focus on new products section. — Barbara Clemmens, Aardvark Pet Supplies, Inc., Thornwood, NY
• Map out your journey beforehand. — Margo, Tortorelis, My Natural Pet, Brooklyn, NY
• Enjoy and visit every booth! — Kim Sykes, K9 Manners & More, Broken Arrow, Ok
• Enjoy and have FUN! — Heather Persinger, Aristopets, Lewisville, NC
• Estimated delivery is just estimated. — Laura Backus, Purrrfect Bark, Columbus, NC
• Wear some comfortable shoes! — Doug Staley, Pet Palace of New City, New City, NY
• Wear walking shoes! — Kristen, Watson, The Hipster Hound, Savannah, GA
• Be selective when visiting booths. — Diane Marcin, Benny’s Pet Depot, Mechanicsburg, PA
• Bring two pairs of shoes. — Gina, Swansburg, Gone to the Dogs, Wakefield, MA
• Buy the best deals! — Becci Scott, Fetching Dog, Scottsdale, AZ
• Make a plan! — Carly Patryluk, House of Paws Pet Boutique, Regina, SK
• Plan ahead, research vendors. — Karen Conell, The Bark Market LLC, Delavan, WI
• Wear comfy shoes! — Cassie Nilsson, The Mill Stores, Whiteford, MD
• Wear comfy shoes! — Jennifer Guevin, Holistic for Pets, Bradenton, FL
• Wear comfortable shoes! — Jenny DuBrock, Don’t 4 Get About Me, Pingree Grove, IL
• Wear good shoes! — Jennifer Flanagan, Nature’s Pet Market Sherwood, Sherwood, OR
• Wear comfortable shoes. — Cindy McConnell, A Natural Pet Pantry, Osprey, FL
• Have a plan! — Lauren O’Hanlon, Ruff House, Fort Lauderdale, FL
• Keep going. — Caroline Gunther, Wag! A Unique Pet Boutique,Hendersonville, NC
• Their CBD is not “best.” — Krysta Fox, Bruce & Willy’s Natural Pet Source,Geneva, IL
• Good shoes and a cart. — Kelly Hilzendager, Treat Play Love, Grand Forks, ND
• Leave credit card behind. — Ron Keller, Captivating Canines, Westerville, OH
• Stick to your road map. — Janet Cesarini, Pupology, Georgetown, TX
• Wear comfortable shoes. — Victoria Park, Park Pet Supply, Atlanta, GA
• Have fun. Shop smart. Smile. — Jocelyn Turner, Woof Woof Pet Boutique and Biscuit Bar, Bristol, RI
• Pick your priorities. Pace yourself! — Darrel Day, Dog Gone Holistic, Lithia, FL
• Don’t try to see everything! — George Beebe, Pawki’s, Eastsound, WA
• Big bag for all stuff. — Amber Van Denzen Suarez, Atta Boy! Animal Care Pet Sitting + Dog Walking, Mulberry, FL
• Wear comfortable shoes! — Andrea Demmons, The TailGait Market, Asheville, NC
• Bring a cart with wheels. — Stephanie, Rossino, GiggyBites Bakery & MarketPlace, Chadds Ford, PA
• Skip it and shop the vendors online. 🙂 — Scott Tripp, Wagabōnz, Galveston TX
• Wear good shoes. — Pattie, Zeller, Animal Connection LLC, Charlottesville, VA
• Enjoy. Smile. Talk. Engage. Buy! — Kelly Ross, Woof Gang Bakery & Grooming The Woodlands, Tomball TX
• Take extra suitcase. Get samples. — Helen Bennett, The Grooming Place Pet Shop, Chester, MD
• Look for the small companies. — Michele Saharic, Barkley’s Marketplace, Flemington, NJ
• Make a List! — Heather Leonard, The Well Balanced Paw, Staunton
• Wear good shoes. Period. — Jennifer Flanagan, Nature’s Pet Market Sherwood, Sherwood, OR
• Map it out! — Tasha Hermanson, Woofta, LLC, Dickinson
• Wear comfortable shoes! — Annette Jones, Paws & Purrs Barkery & Boutique, Rutherfordton, NC
• Wear a Fitbit. — Susan Nagel-Rees, Winky’s Pet Boutique, Chester, NJ
• Wear your best walking shoes! — Melissa Sturm, Agri Feed Pet Supply, Knoxville, TN
• Trace’s Tradeshow Planner. See archives! — Trace Menchaca, Modern Pet Foods, Houston, TX