H.H. Backer announces changes to spring show

On the heels of the autumn show in Chicago, H.H. Backer Associates has announced significant changes to its biennial spring show (Backer's Total Pet Expo Spring) in Atlantic City. The company's spring show, to be held on April 9-11 2014 at the Atlantic City Convention Center, features several new attractions, a fresh graphic look and an educational programme specifically designed to keep buyers in the exhibit hall.

New or revamped spring show features include a new 280 m² retail pet store serving as a resource centre on store layout, merchandising, staff training and POS options. Experts will be on hand to give valuable advice and offer tips on staff training. Buyers can interact with live animals. The Idea Wall provides a forum for sharing and reading retail tips. There are also Backer Buyer Rewards, used to reward qualified attendees for placing orders at the show.

The Smart Zone is designed to keep buyers on the show floor longer, new exhibit hall education stations offer a more comfortable, conference-style setting and will include tracks on technology, business management, marketing/merchandising, aquatics and animal health/wellness. Industry experts will offer free advice for small groups of attendees on everything from the latest social media marketing strategies to the hottest merchandising trends. A full schedule of 50+ sessions will be available online beginning in February. A full-day pre-show seminar on retail sales and marketing and the product innovations area will also be organised.