Paul Allen, Dave Ratner, Lynn Switanowski, Judy Morgan
(PRESS RELEASE) EDISON, NJ — Pet Connections Expo sets itself apart by providing free, educational content for independent pet retailers to help strengthen their businesses and compete against online giants and traditional brick and mortar chains. After a successful two years in Oaks, PA, the show moves to its new venue at the NJ Convention & Expo Center, October 15-16, 2019. This year’s focus will continue to be on topics that are most important to independent pet retailers. The event will bring together pet industry buyers and suppliers to the Northeast, from around the entire country.
“We are happy to be bringing our 2019 program to New Jersey and the opportunity to further our reach to retailers to participate before the busy holiday season. We are excited about our lineup of speakers and the vast experiences that these industry visionaries will contribute to the program. In addition to the main stage speakers, we have a number of great Campfire Sessions throughout the two days that will certainly help retailers to succeed and grow their businesses,” stated Bill Doherty, ICD events president and show director.
This year’s programming includes many main stage speakers and being kicked off on October 15 with Paul Allen, Woof Gang Bakery. Mr. Allen will be speaking about business opportunities independent retailers have by adding services, such as grooming, into their establishments. “I am pleased to be a part of this year’s Pet Connections Expo and excited to share with attendees my perspective on the current state of the pet industry. In particular, I’ll be discussing my point of view on the important role that grooming and services play in storefront specialty pet retail businesses. I look forward to sharing my experiences in building Woof Gang Bakery and the competitive advantages that brick-andmortar stores can cultivate to compete with big box stores and online retailers”, stated Paul Allen.
The use of pet products containing Cannabis and Cannabis derivatives, including CBD, is one of the hottest topics in the pet industry today. Pet Connections Expo covers this topic with a lively panel discussion moderated by Bill Bookout, founder and CEO, National Animal Supplement Council, entitled Essential Considerations Before You Add CBD Products. Bill commented, “This timely topic will include a panel of retailers who will share their experiences, discuss what questions they received from customers, and talk about the obstacles they had to overcome when they started offering CBD products. Most importantly, they will discuss how one of the biggest trends in years is changing their businesses and allowed them to compete more strongly with the big stores and online giants.”
Dave Ratner is back by popular demand with a presentation entitled, Creating Customer Love, How to Get and Keep LOYAL Customers. Mr. Ratner commented, “I have built a pretty successful business concentrating on making sure my existing customers not only come back, but tell their friends to shop in my stores. You will learn how I do it and how you can adapt my practices to your business. As a passionate crusader for indie retailers, I am thrilled to be speaking at Pet Connections Expo with some of the other truly great retail representatives throughout the country. It is an honor to share my experiences, successes, and failures with the attendees at this conference.”
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Using Traditional Chinese Medicine Food Therapy principles, Dr. Judy Morgan will guide retailers on how to recommend the best foods to help individual pet needs. Having this information will make you stand out in the pet retail space. “Independent pet retailers need to be armed with ammunition that will help them stay ahead of online retailers. Pet Connections Expo will provide invaluable resources, including a panel of pet industry professionals with decades of experience. Understanding client needs and concerns from a veterinary perspective can give a competitive edge,” states Dr. Morgan.
Pet Connections Expo will be introducing a new 2 ½ hour Boot Camp for Independent Pet Retailers, Tactical Lessons to Drive More Sales this Holiday Season, facilitated by Lynn Switanowski, Creative Business Consulting Group. This session will kick off the second day of the show on October 16, 2019 and be filled with easy-to-implement strategies that all businesses should be doing to drive more sales for the holiday season…and beyond. Attendees will leave with a list of simple things that every business owner/manager must do to compete with national chains and own their local markets.
Ms. Switanowski commented, “I’m thrilled to be speaking at Pet Connections Expo – at such an important time of year and at such an important business building show. The cost is free to attend, and the marketing lessons presented during the Boot Camp are focused on helping businesses maximize fourth-quarter sales, with actionable tips and tactics to be used immediately, and for years to come. “
