“Groom Expo is the place we accumulate and talk the language of grooming,” says Jayne Gallagher, seminar speaker and co-star of Pooch Absolute best. “It’s the pulse of our trade!”
Greater than 5,500 groomers from everywhere the globe amassed on the Hershey Resort and Conference heart in Hershey, Pennsylvania to wait the 2022 Groom Expo.
“This used to be my first discuss with to any grooming display out of doors of Australia,” says Sarah Warner. “I heard that Groom Expo used to be the most important on this planet, and after I discovered that I have 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 means of title used to be Rebecca Shipman on the registration table, and from that second on, I felt like I used to be amongst ‘my folks.’ I discovered the distributors, attendees, or even the grooming pageant judges to be essentially the most approachable, type, supportive, and pleasant number of folks.”
Jeff and Elizabeth Childers, who have been additionally first-time attendees, drove from Tennessee to wait the expo. “We’re getting ready to open a self-serve canine wash and can also be providing skilled puppy grooming products and services,” says Elizabeth. “The Expo has supplied a huge quantity of treasured knowledge that may lend a hand us to give you the proper gear and knowledge to our puppy house owners and our workers. Dr. Cliff Faver’s ‘Industry 101’ seminar used to be sufficient to make the entire shuttle profitable.”
Jennie Smith, who owns a grooming salon and grooming faculty in Loveland, Colorado, calls Groom Expo the “Superbowl” of grooming expos: “This yr I introduced all 13 of my team of workers individuals to Groom Expo and signed each one in every of them up for the VIP bundle,” says Jennie. “The VIP living room all the time had a provide of espresso, scorching chocolate, water, and candies. And it used to be great to have a spot to visit loosen up and take in the entirety you realized within the seminars.
“And, the seminars! The place else are you able to move and feature one-on-one conversations with the highest folks in our trade? Considered one of my women were given 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 liked 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 purchasers, our team of workers, that we omit to maintain ourselves. The entire audio system within the sequence spread out and have been truthful about struggles they’d. And I believe for myself, a 37-year veteran within the trade, it used to be tough and impactful to understand I wasn’t by myself.”
Along with the training seminars and grooming demos designed that can assist you take your abilities from just right to nice, grooming competitions have been held during the weekend. You’ll want to take a seat within the target market and watch one of the crucial perfect groomers on the earth paintings their magic from begin to end, watching their ways and seeing the goods they use.
The giant business display used to be humming all weekend lengthy. The distributors had merchandise for each ability stage and price range, and the groomers have been taking complete good thing about display specials to top off on their favorites.
Groom Expo isn’t all industry even though, there used to be quite a few time for a laugh. The Web Social, “Groomers of the Galaxy” opening-night birthday celebration and the Barkleigh Honors after birthday celebration gave attendees the chance to catch up with previous pals, make new ones, and unwind and in point of fact experience themselves.
Saturday night featured the Barkleigh Honors Awards and dinner. It used to be a impressive tournament that solidified the truth that groomers are “circle of relatives.” The ballroom erupted with tumultuous applause and cheers for the winner of every of the grooming tournaments as they vied for placement within the Easiest In Display Awards. Then, the 26 contestants of the Summary Runway pageant displayed their superb creations at the catwalk, and have been rewarded with the target market’s thunderous approval.
Right through the Barkleigh Honors Awards, each nominee won an enormous ovation as their title used to be introduced. When Delise Knight won the Barkleigh Honors “Lifetime Success Award,” there wasn’t a dry eye in the home. Everybody rose to their ft in tribute to her and to honor her achievements.
Sunday’s Inventive Grooming pageant drew entries from everywhere: “I traveled 3,576 miles from England to take part within the Inventive pageant,” says Vikki Pearman. “It used to be a dream come true for me. Everybody used to be so useful and pleasant, and I won many compliments for the groom I did. It used to be a super revel in and a reminiscence I will be able to have perpetually.”
“I’ve been going to Groom Expo since I began my grooming industry 18 years in the past,” says Jolene Siebeneck. “Once I were given into competing in Inventive, my purpose used to be to win the ‘Other people’s Selection Award.’ I will’t even start to give an explanation for the emotions I had when I used to be introduced because the winner! I used to be ecstatic! Then, when my title used to be introduced as taking 1st position, I used to be in whole surprise. Each and every competitor works so arduous and places in numerous hours for this second. I had a difficult time wrapping my head round the truth that I gained each awards!”
Inventive groomer Andrea Zelinsky didn’t let a case of nerves and anxiousness stay her from competing: “Proper prior to the contest, I ran to the toilet, splashed some water on my face, and gave myself my perfect replicate pep communicate,” says Andrea. “I opened the door and noticed Stacy Przbylinski who temporarily requested me if I used to be all proper. My tears began flowing, and Stacy right away confirmed me her love and enhance and stated, ‘Simply pay attention to the song and omit in regards to the crowd.’ And, that’s precisely what I did.
“To my wonder,” continues Andrea, “MY title used to be introduced as Emerging Superstar. After the display, a fellow groomer says to me, ‘Guy, inventive groomers in point of fact simply love when every different puts. That’s so superior to peer.’ And, it’s so true. I’ve discovered my position amongst a group that strives for private perfect but additionally strives for group luck.”
Time after time, Jayne Gallagher’s remark about Groom Expo being the pulse of the trade used to be showed by means of the groomers on the display.
“Even if I used to be touring by myself, by no means as soon as did I understand it among the unbelievable group of groomers I used to be with,” stocks Sarah Lagos. “I realized greater than I may ever provide an explanation for in regards to the artwork of puppy grooming, about myself, and the way thankful I’m to have discovered this occupation.
“I may let you know the entire issues I purchased and what I did each day, however my greatest takeaway used to be all through the Barkleigh Honors Awards,” continues Sarah. “Because the awards have been offered, speeches given, and tears shed on level, I felt a surprising and immense gratitude. I notice that this occupation is the explanation I’ve been in a position to search out happiness, hope, and a function.
“I’ve a long run,” Sarah affirms. “It’s what I used to be supposed to do. I’m positive of it!” ✂️
Kathy Hosler
Kathy Hosler opened her store in 1971 when she used to be simply nineteen years previous. She has constructed an excellent industry and continues to be actively grooming nowadays. Kathy may be a characteristic author for Groomer To Groomer and Puppy Boarding & Daycare Magazines, and has been nominated two times for the Barkleigh Honors Journalist of the 12 months Award in addition to a Cardinal Crystal Success Award for Grooming Journalist.