“Groom Expo is the place we collect and converse the language of grooming,” says Jayne Gallagher, seminar speaker and co-star of Pooch Good. “It’s the heartbeat of our trade!”
Greater than 5,500 groomers from everywhere in the globe gathered on the Hershey Lodge and Conference middle in Hershey, Pennsylvania to attend the 2022 Groom Expo.
“This was my first go to to any grooming present outdoors of Australia,” says Sarah Warner. “I heard that Groom Expo was the most important on this planet, and once I came upon that I had been nominated for a Barkleigh Honors Award, I knew I needed to attend.
“After touring 30 hours and over 10,000 miles, I arrived in Hershey,” Sarah continues. “The primary particular person to greet me by title was Rebecca Shipman on the registration desk, and from that second on, I felt like I used to be amongst ‘my individuals.’ I discovered the distributors, attendees, and even the grooming competitors judges to be essentially the most approachable, sort, supportive, and pleasant assortment of individuals.”
Jeff and Elizabeth Childers, who had been additionally first-time attendees, drove from Tennessee to attend the expo. “We’re making ready to open a self-serve canine wash and also will offer skilled pet grooming companies,” says Elizabeth. “The Expo has supplied an infinite quantity of useful data that can assist us to offer the suitable instruments and data to our pet house owners and our workers. Dr. Cliff Faver’s ‘Enterprise 101’ seminar was sufficient to make the entire journey worthwhile.”
Jennie Smith, who owns a grooming salon and grooming faculty in Loveland, Colorado, calls Groom Expo the “Superbowl” of grooming expos: “This 12 months I introduced all 13 of my employees members to Groom Expo and signed each one in all them up for the VIP package deal,” says Jennie. “The VIP lounge all the time had a provide of espresso, scorching chocolate, water, and candies. And it was good to have a spot to go to calm down and soak up every part you realized within the seminars.
“And, the seminars! The place else are you able to go and have one-on-one conversations with the highest individuals in our trade? Certainly one of my ladies obtained to be Victor Rosado’s assistant for his ‘Supercharge Your Grooming’ seminar. Let me let you know—she continues to be on cloud 9!
“I cherished the psychological well being sequence and really feel it’s so wanted in our trade,” Jennie continues. “We’re all such empaths for the canine, our shoppers, our employees, that we neglect to handle ourselves. The entire audio system within the sequence opened up and had been trustworthy about struggles that they had. And I believe for myself, a 37-year veteran within the trade, it was highly effective and impactful to know I wasn’t alone.”
Along with the tutorial seminars and grooming demos designed that will help you take your expertise from good to nice, grooming competitions had been held all through the weekend. You possibly can sit within the viewers and watch among the greatest groomers on the planet work their magic from begin to end, observing their strategies and seeing the merchandise they use.
The big commerce present was buzzing all weekend lengthy. The distributors had merchandise for each talent stage and funds, and the groomers had been taking full benefit of present specials to top off on their favorites.
Groom Expo is just not all enterprise although, there was loads of time for enjoyable. The Web Social, “Groomers of the Galaxy” opening-night occasion and the Barkleigh Honors after occasion gave attendees the chance to fulfill up with previous mates, make new ones, and unwind and actually take pleasure in themselves.
Saturday night featured the Barkleigh Honors Awards and dinner. It was a spectacular occasion that solidified the truth that groomers are “household.” The ballroom erupted with tumultuous applause and cheers for the winner of every of the grooming tournaments as they vied for placement within the Finest In Present Awards. Then, the 26 contestants of the Summary Runway competitors displayed their wonderful creations on the catwalk, and had been rewarded with the viewers’s thunderous approval.
In the course of the Barkleigh Honors Awards, each nominee obtained an enormous ovation as their title was introduced. When Delise Knight obtained the Barkleigh Honors “Lifetime Achievement Award,” there wasn’t a dry eye in the home. Everybody rose to their toes in tribute to her and to honor her achievements.
Sunday’s Inventive Grooming competitors drew entries from throughout: “I traveled 3,576 miles from England to take part within the Inventive competitors,” says Vikki Pearman. “It was a dream come true for me. Everybody was so useful and pleasant, and I obtained many compliments for the groom I did. It was an important expertise and a reminiscence I’ll have perpetually.”
“I’ve been going to Groom Expo since I began my grooming enterprise 18 years in the past,” says Jolene Siebeneck. “After I obtained into competing in Inventive, my aim was to win the ‘Folks’s Selection Award.’ I can’t even start to elucidate the sentiments I had once I was introduced because the winner! I used to be ecstatic! Then, when my title was introduced as taking 1st place, I used to be in full shock. Each competitor works so onerous and places in numerous hours for this second. I had a tough time wrapping my head round the truth that I received each awards!”
Inventive groomer Andrea Zelinsky didn’t let a case of nerves and nervousness hold her from competing: “Proper earlier than the competitors, I ran to the lavatory, splashed some water on my face, and gave myself my greatest mirror pep speak,” says Andrea. “I opened the door and noticed Stacy Przbylinski who rapidly requested me if I used to be all proper. My tears began flowing, and Stacy instantly confirmed me her love and help and mentioned, ‘Simply take heed to the music and neglect concerning the crowd.’ And, that’s precisely what I did.
“To my shock,” continues Andrea, “MY title was introduced as Rising Star. After the present, a fellow groomer says to me, ‘Man, artistic groomers actually simply love when one another locations. That’s so superior to see.’ And, it’s so true. I’ve discovered my place amongst a neighborhood that strives for private greatest but additionally strives for neighborhood success.”
Time after time, Jayne Gallagher’s remark about Groom Expo being the heartbeat of the trade was confirmed by the groomers on the present.
“Though I used to be touring alone, by no means as soon as did I discover it amongst the unbelievable neighborhood of groomers I used to be with,” shares Sarah Lagos. “I realized greater than I may ever clarify concerning the artwork of pet grooming, about myself, and the way grateful I’m to have discovered this profession.
“I may let you know all of the issues I purchased and what I did on daily basis, however my largest takeaway was through the Barkleigh Honors Awards,” continues Sarah. “Because the awards had been introduced, speeches given, and tears shed on stage, I felt a sudden and immense gratitude. I understand that this profession is the explanation I’ve been capable of finding happiness, hope, and a goal.
“I’ve a future,” Sarah affirms. “It’s what I used to be meant to do. I’m certain of it!” ✂️
Kathy Hosler
Kathy Hosler opened her store in 1971 when she was simply nineteen years previous. She has constructed a terrific enterprise and continues to be actively grooming immediately. Kathy can be a function author for Groomer To Groomer and Pet Boarding & Daycare Magazines, and has been nominated twice for the Barkleigh Honors Journalist of the Yr Award in addition to a Cardinal Crystal Achievement Award for Grooming Journalist.
