By Staff
Groom Expo in bucolic, historical Hershey, PA is more than a grooming show – it’s a unique experience for groomers. Groom Expo combines everything you would expect from a top grooming show with an unparalleled camaraderie among people who all share the same passion.
“Anyone who has never been to Groom Expo needs to find a way to make the trip.” States Melinda, a groomer from Vermont. “I went for the first time four years ago, and I knew immediately that this was where I belonged. It helped me reconnect and fall back in love with grooming. I learned so much, but even better, I met so many amazing people!”
Groom Expo features an All Star line-up of the best and most popular speakers in the industry, along with many new voices and topics. “It’s exciting to see new speakers emerge every year,” States Barkleigh president Todd Shelly. “And, when you think every possible topic has been covered, someone comes up with a seminar concept that is new and fresh. With seven seminar rooms being used at a time, we are able to experiment with topics.”
The VIP Package is the ideal opportunity for groomers that want to get the full effect of Groom Expo, while being pampered a bit. The package includes preferred seating, all meal functions (including the Barkleigh Honors Dinner), and access to the VIP Lounge. The lounge provides coffee, tea, hot chocolate and snacks throughout the day. “The three of us in our shop finally decided we were going to splurge on the VIP package last year. It was the best thing we ever did,” Exclaims Brenda from Maryland. “The luncheons were so much fun and it was so convenient for meals. We used the lounge a lot because there is so much going on that we needed to take a minute to relax and have a cup of hot chocolate.”
In addition to the unmatched educational package, Groom Expo features the largest trade show in the grooming industry. There are over 200 booths all focused on groomers. There is no better opportunity to see, touch, and sample products and tools. Every year, many companies wait for Groom Expo to debut new products. Many vendors also have specials that can only be found at a show (plus no shipping!)
Groom Expo also has a full GroomTeam USA sanctioned contest along with Rescue Round-Up, Abstract Runway, and creative grooming competitions. Competing is a great way to push yourself to become a better groomer while meeting and learning from many of the best in the industry. But, if competing is not your thing, you can still learn from the best by observing the contests in person. A few minutes of viewing will probably result in finding a groomer whose style you can learn from.
For those attending Groom Expo for the first time, there is a “Newbie” tour several times each day. The Tour helps groomers build a strategy for getting the most out of the show. For more information about Groom Expo, go to www.GroomExpo.com. ✂