(PRESS RELEASE) RIVERSIDE, CA — GROOM’D solidified its status as a growing national grooming-focused conference and trade show for the pet care community after wrapping up another successful show from March 7-9. Organized by the World Pet Association (WPA), the 2025 event at the Georgia International Convention Center in College Park, Georgia, attracted more than 4,000 attendees. Pet care professionals from across the country enjoyed three days of exciting grooming competitions, expert-led education sessions, networking events and a vibrant show floor showcasing new and cutting-edge grooming tools and products.
“We are beyond thrilled with the outstanding turnout and energy at GROOM’D 2025,” said Mike Karsting, senior vice president of WPA. “This year’s event not only met but surpassed our expectations with a record-breaking number of 115 exhibitors. The continued growth in brand and retailer attendance underscores GROOM’D’s essential role in the industry. By facilitating connections, skill-building, and innovation, we’re proud to foster excellence in pet grooming and care and are excited to keep building on this momentum in the coming years.”
PETS+ was the official media partner for the show. See full coverage at petsplusmag.com/events/groomd-2025.
2025 Show Highlights
The GROOM’D 2025 show floor buzzed with energy, covering 19,570 nsf and featuring a record-breaking 115 exhibitors from across the pet care industry. Attendees explored a diverse selection of grooming tools, accessories and wellness products while connecting with top industry professionals.
The event also showcased 50+ educational sessions, offering more than 100 hours of live demonstrations, interactive workshops and business seminars. Led by 26 industry experts, these sessions covered a wide array of industry topics, from master-level grooming techniques and enriching customer experience to top business management strategies and essential pet care practices. Showgoers gained insights into breed-specific grooming strategies, scissor styling, navigating difficult dogs, optimizing canine comfort in boarding and daycare facilities, excelling in feline wellness and grooming and understanding various coat types, among other valuable skills. In addition to the regular sessions were four special sessions, including three CPR classes and a Model Dog Styling Workshop for participants to master cut and color skills.
Competition was hot at GROOM’D 2025, as participants of all experience levels and backgrounds displayed their creativity and talent in one of the biggest competition rings in grooming. A prestigious panel of judges awarded 180+ pet services professionals competing for the prize pool of over $18,000. The event saw an impressive display of talent and and passion as groomers competed in categories spanning Wire Coats, Poodles, Abstract Runway, The Clipper Classic and more. The 2025 first-place contest winners are:
Best In Show
- Best Pet Stylist in Show: Jacob Robinson | Chandler, Oklahoma
- Best International and All Around Pet Stylist in Show: Nadia Bongelli | Brampton, Ontario, Canada
- Best First Time Competitor in Show: Julie Garnett | Durham, North Carolina
Special Contests
- Competitors’ Choice Award: Emily Bowman | Bluff City, Tennessee
- The Grooming Shop Challenge: Natalia Buslovich | Damascus, Maryland
- The Clipper Classic: Patty Lee | Charlotte, North Carolina
- Abstract Runway: Alyssa Kasiba | Elgin, Illinois
- Let the Fur Fly: Natalia Buslovich | Damascus, Maryland
- Mixed Salon/Freestyle:
Open: Ramie Burgess | Randleman, North Carolina
Intermediate: Janna deBey | Lilburn, Georgia
Entry: Rachel Groover | Dade City, Florida
- Creative Dog & Cat Styling:
Open: Alyssa Kasiba | Elgin, Illinois
Entry: Heather Kelly | Shreveport, Louisiana
Regular Contests
- Other Purebreds:
Group: Jacob Robinson | Chandler, Oklahoma
Open: Jacob Robinson | Chandler, Oklahoma
Intermediate: Tayler Wineski | Des Moines, Iowa
Entry: Ashley Arroyo | Bloomington, Minnesota
Best International: Nadia Bongelli | Brampton, Ontario, Canada
- Wire Coats (Handstripping):
Group: Nadia Bongelli | Brampton, Ontario, Canada
Open: Nadia Bongelli | Brampton, Ontario, Canada
Intermediate: Elizabeth Johnson | Springtown, Texas
Entry: Sarah Lowery | Trenton, Georgia
Best International: Nadia Bongelli | Brampton, Ontario, Canada
- Sporting (Spaniels & Setters):
Group: Nadia Bongelli | Brampton, Ontario, Canada
Open: Nadia Bongelli | Brampton, Ontario, Canada
Intermediate: Mayra Grajales | Plantation, Florida
Entry: Julio Orejuela | Miami, Florida
Best International: Nadia Bongelli | Brampton, Ontario, Canada
- Poodles:
Group: Jackie Boulton | Calgary, Alberta, Canada
Open: Jackie Boulton | Calgary, Alberta, Canada
Intermediate: Janna deBey | Lilburn, Georgia
Entry: Kelcey Armstrong | Flowood, Mississippi
Best International: Jackie Boulton | Calgary, Alberta, Canada
The GROOM’D organizers sincerely thank the generous sponsors whose invaluable support made this event possible and memorable. Their commitment to excellence and dedication to the pet care community played a vital role in GROOM’D’s success, creating an exceptional experience for all attendees. The GROOM’D 2025 sponsors are:
- Animal Photography: Grooming Contest Photographer
- Earthbath: Sporting (Spaniels & Setters) Contest
- Foxy Roxy’s: Best First Time Competitor in Show Award
- GEIB Buttercut: Poodles Contest
- Gingr: The Grooming Shop Challenge Contest
- Ladybird Line: Competitor’s Choice Award
- MoeGo: Mixed Salon/Freestyle Contest
- PetEdge: Wire Coats (Handstripping) Contest
- PetStore.Direct: Attendee E-Registration
- Puppy Playground: Doggy Play/Relief Area
- Wag’nTails: Creative Dog & Cat Styling Contest
- WAHL Clipper: The Clipper Classic Contest
- ZYMOX: Best Pet Stylist in Show Award
Planning for GROOM’D 2026 is already underway and will take place March 13-15, 2026. For more information, visit groomd.org.
About World Pet Association
Founded in 1950, World Pet Association (WPA) is the pet industry’s oldest nonprofit organization. WPA connects and informs pet professionals through industry-defining trade shows SUPERZOO and GROOM’D (formerly Atlanta Pet Fair and Conference). Through WPA’s Good Works program, proceeds from these events are funneled back into key industry organizations and nonprofits, including World Alliance of Grooming Associations, National Animal Interest Alliance (NAIA), USARK FL, USARK, HABRI, Pet Advocacy Network, Pet Sustainability Coalition, BEAK, Pet Care Trust/Pets in the Classroom, Project Piaba, USAQUA-USAVIA, with the goal of making it easier for pet industry professionals to do business. WPA’s mission is to support the business needs of pet retailers and to promote responsible growth and development of the pet industry by providing thought leadership on consumer and legislative issues; leading efforts in the public sector to inform consumers and ensure safe, healthy lifestyles for all animals; and providing business resources, education, content and services to ensure pet product retailers have the support they need to be competitive. For more information about WPA, visit www.worldpetassociation.org.
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