Preparing for SuperZoo Tradeshow

SuperZoo is North America’s largest pet retail event and is a great place for vendors, pet food companies, pet-friendly people, and more to meet and see the current innovations in the pet industry. With over 1,200 exhibitors and 800 new products showcased during the event, the trade floor can be impressive, and a bit overwhelming, for newcomers and seasoned SuperZoo veterans alike.

If one has never attended SuperZoo, there are some things that should be done in preparation to make the event as enjoyable as possible. The first thing that should be considered is attire; it is important to have very comfortable shoes. The number of miles someone will walk to see all of the booths and meet with people is astounding. Proper, comfortable, broken-in, footwear will help prevent blisters from forming throughout the day. If the goal of attending SuperZoo is to conduct business and network with other industry professionals, wearing business casual or professional clothes will allow one to leave a professional first impression on the people they are meeting. SuperZoo is a great opportunity to network and make connections for future projects, as everyone from ingredient suppliers and packaging vendors to groomers and pet food companies attend, so be sure to bring plenty of business cards!

Not only is it important to be prepared with business cards and pamphlets but it is also important to review who will be attending. This is a great opportunity to investigate potential opportunities for innovation, expand your business reach, reconnect with existing contacts, and touch base with those who projects are shared with. Knowing who will be there and where their booth number is will allow for the most efficient use of time on the show floor.

Lastly, bring a laptop, iPad, other digital devices, or a pen and paper to take notes of current trends, look up new products, packaging, or ingredients, and write down company names and contacts. Many trade shows also have presentations, and taking notes to review later on for future projects may be worth the time.

Attending tradeshows can be very beneficial for companies. It is a great time to meet with new people, but it is also a time to build stronger connections with the people in one’s existing network. Trade shows are great for inspiring people for new products, helping people understand current trends, and providing an opportunity to learn about new products.

BSM looks forward to seeing you at SuperZoo this year and encourages everyone to come visit us at our booth (Booth 7767)!

 

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About the Author

Lydia Molnar is a former Product Innovation Manager with BSM Partners. Lydia has a diverse background, having worked both in the pet food industry as well as the human food industry. In her free time, she likes to attend farmers' markets, try out new food places, travel with her dogs, and watch movies with her boyfriend.