H.H. Backer Cancels Total Pet Expo Spring
February 4, 2014
H.H. Backer Associates will cancel its pet industry-themed trade show – Total Pet Expo Spring - scheduled April 9-11 at the Atlantic City (N.J.) Convention Center.
“We simply could not get enough exhibitor support this year to allow us to produce a quality spring trade show that people have come to expect,” said Colette Fairchild, the show’s director.
H.H. Backer’s flagship event, Backer’s Total Pet Expo Fall, which is on tap Sept. 19-21 in Chicago, will continue as an annual event, she added.
Exhibitors that have contracted for the spring show will have their choice of receiving a full refund or applying their deposit to the fall show.
The spring show had been postponed in 2013 and moved to a biennial format.
Even with the cancellation, the Total Pet Expo Fall show had a successful run last September in Rosemont.
That show was renamed from the Pet Industry Christmas Trade Show and went through not only a rebranding, but also had a redesigned, easy-to-navigate Web site by U.K.-based ASP Events, www.totalpetexpo.com was unveiled.
Fairchild said at the time; "We will feature a greater variety of new exhibitors and products and offer a new twist on the educational portion of the show. We want buyers to leave Backer's Total Pet Expo with the education and motivation they need to be successful.”
Here were some of the features at the fall show, some of which also were planned for the now-canceled spring edition:
Pet Store on the Floor. A new 3,500 square foot retail store served as a resource center on store layout, merchandising, staff training and POS options.
The Idea Wall. A 30' long wall, located near the Pet Store on the Floor, provides a forum for sharing and reading retail tips. Prizes are awarded for the best ideas.
Full Day Pre-Show Seminar on Retail Sales and Marketing. Retail expert Bob Negen of WhizBang! Training presented "Explode Your Sales: Marketing Ideas So Effective They Will Blow Your Mind."
Backer Buyer Rewards. Qualified attendees were rewarded for placing orders at the show. Attendees receive a $75 Visa gift card for every $3,500 spent at the show (up to three cards per firm).
Partner Voices
MGM Resorts is committed to fostering an inclusive and diverse culture, not just among employees and guests but also within its supply chain. The company prioritizes procuring goods and services from businesses owned by minorities, women, veterans, people with disabilities, LGBTQ individuals and those facing economic disadvantages. This commitment is integral to MGM Resorts' global procurement strategy.
Through its voluntary supplier diversity program, MGM Resorts actively identifies and connects certified diverse-owned suppliers to opportunities within its supply chain. The company is on track to spend at least 15% of its biddable procurement with diverse-owned businesses by 2025, demonstrating that supplier diversity is not only a social responsibility but also a strategic business imperative.
Supplier diversity isn’t just the right thing to do – it’s good for business. A diverse supply chain allows access to a broader range of perspectives and experience, helping to drive innovation, entrepreneurship and resilience, while strengthening communities. At MGM Resorts, engaging diverse suppliers ensures best-in-class experiences for guests and clients. Supplier diversity ensures a more resilient supply chain while supporting economic development in the communities in which it operates.
The impact of MGM Resorts' supplier diversity initiatives is significant. In 2023, these efforts supported over 3,500 jobs across more than 30 states, contributed over $214 million in income for diverse-owned businesses and generated more than $62 million in tax revenue. The story extends beyond the numbers – it reflects the tangible benefits brought to small and diverse-owned businesses, fostering economic empowerment in their communities.
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MGM Resorts’ commitment to supplier diversity not only enhances its business operations but also plays a crucial role in uplifting communities and fostering economic development. This approach reinforces the idea that diversity is a powerful driver of innovation and resilience, benefiting both the company and the wider community.
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