Global Pet Expo 2012 featured 3,000 new pet products, broke attendance records

The 2012 Global Pet Expo saw a record number of attendees with more than 5,000 buyers.

The Global Pet Expo 2012 saw record-breaking buyer and media attendance and total pet product exhibitor booths sold, say sponsors American Pet Products Association and Pet Industry Distributers Association.

The 2012 show, held in Orlando, Florida, USA, February 29-March 2, featured 5,011 buyers in attendance, more than 3,000 new pet product launches, 896 exhibitors and 2,487 booths sold – the highest post-show numbers reported in Global Pet Expo’s eight-year history. International attendance accounted for nearly 25 percent of the total buyer attendance rate, while 145 international companies exhibited at the show.

"The buyers, exhibitors and media who participated in this year’s show all contributed to making this our largest event to date,” said Andrew Darmohraj, American Pet Products Association senior vice president. “The overall success of this year’s show sent a clear message that the pet industry is stronger than ever, and continues to attract entrepreneurs and innovators offering pet owners more products than ever for their pets. As owners continue to demonstrate that they value pets as members of the family, demand for the latest and greatest products is at an all time high.”  
Special sections at the show included the “International Pavilion,” “Natural Pet,” “Boutique,” “Everything Aquatic” and “What’s New!” Additionally, "TODAY" show correspondent and animal advocate, Jill Rappaport, was honored with Global Pet Expo’s annual “Excellence in Journalism and Outstanding Contributions to the Pet Industry Award” for her commitment to the industry.  
The American Pet Products Association also announced its pet industry spending for 2011, which grew by 5.3 percent from US$43.35 billion in 2010 to US$50.96 billion in 2011. The American Pet Products Association projected a steady 3.8 percent growth rate through 2012, bringing overall pet spending to nearly US$53 billion.
The 2013 Global Pet Expo will take place February 20–22, 2013, in Orlando, Florida, USA.