Pet Boarding & Daycare magazine and Barkleigh Productions are excited to bring the first ever Pet Boarding & Daycare Expo to Baltimore, MD, on November 6–8, 2012. Like Groom Expo, Groom & Kennel Expo, and other Barkleigh shows, the Pet Boarding & Daycare Expo will feature several days of both educational classes and trade show. Unlike its sister shows, however, this national conference is specifically designed for pet care professionals in the boarding and daycare industries.

“We are thrilled by the immensely positive reception this magazine has received throughout the several months we’ve been in publication,” said Cindy Agoncillo, managing editor of Pet Boarding & Daycare. “For decades, Barkleigh Productions has created opportunities for groomers to receive education beyond the pages of Groomer to Groomer. It is time to do the same for the boarding industry.”

Attendees will have an array of class options at the Pet Boarding & Daycare Expo. Each session will offer up to three different tracks of education topics. The first track focuses on general topics like business, animal health, and animal behavior, all of which are useful for anyone in the boarding industry. The second track focuses specifically on running a successful daycare operation, and the third track will feature facility design topics with industry experts on architecture and manufacturing.

Education begins with an afternoon of classes on Tuesday, November 6. Attendees will have the opportunity to take one of three four-hour classes.

Red Cross-certified instructor Nikki Huntley will present a hands-on American Red Cross Pet First Aid and CPR course to equip pet care professionals with the skills necessary to handle medical emergencies. Two or three people will share a stuffed dog to practice on during instruction, and assistants will roam the room to offer individual help. Included in class fees are the Red Cross Dog First Aid Book and DVD, which participants can take home as a reference.

Wheeler del Torro, author of Growing Your Own Doggie Daycare: A Start-Up and Operational Guide for Success, will present the first part of Dog Day Afternoons’ three-part daycare certification and accreditation course. The seminar will cover the design, management, and launch (or relaunch) of a successful dog daycare business. Participants can make arrangements with Dog Day Afternoons to complete the second and third parts of the accreditation program.

Scott Learned of Design Learned, Inc. will present “Designing Your Facility,” a four-part series that will address the six primary systems that affect the engineering of the building environment: mechanical, plumbing, electrical, fire protection, noise control, and architecture. Topics will include air quality, water management, lighting and electrical systems, and energy efficiency.

Following Tuesday’s educational classes will be a meet-and-greet sponsored by Laura Laaman and Outstanding Pet Care. This will be an opportunity not only to meet other pet boarding industry professionals but also to learn more about Outstanding Pet Care and their recent acquisition of the Pet Care Services Association (PCSA) educational assets.

Classes continue on Wednesday, November 7, when Chris Murphy will present a four-part, day-long class titled “Doggie Daycare: Keys to Success.” Susan Briggs and Robin Bennett will join together to present “Understanding Canine Body Language.” They will also present a special lunch function titled “Training Off-Leash Play Group Staff,” an informative session on the importance and benefits of formal staff training for off-leash play group staff. A special ticket is needed for this luncheon. Other Wednesday classes include facility design topics with Rick Bacon and Greg Taylor, a seminar with Dr. Randy Lynn on Canine Infectious Respiratory Disease Complex (CIRDC), and an overview of insurance topics with Governor Insurance’s Jerry Dubos.

Carmen Rustenbeck and the International Boarding & Pet Services Association (IBPSA) will host a meet-and-greet on Wednesday evening. This time to socialize with fellow pet care professionals provides an opportunity to learn more about IBPSA. Carmen will also present a short seminar titled “Sniffing Out Your Financial Path: The 20 Most Important Questions to Ask Every Month.” IBPSA will send you home with some hands-on materials to thank you for attending the meet-and-greet event.

Thursday’s educational offerings include “The Fun, Foibles, and Financial Feasibility of Dog Daycare,” a two-part series presented by Eileen Proctor. Wheeler del Torro will speak on the topics of marketing a dog daycare as well as how to build and keep a great team. Susan Briggs and Robin Bennett will once again come together to present two seminars. One session addresses the partnership between dog daycare and training services. They will also present another special lunch function called “Safe and Fun Off-Leash Play Groups.” A special ticket is needed for this event. Other topics include facility design, how certification and education can advance your business, and luxury pet care with K-9 Resorts’ Steven and Jason Parker.

In addition to plenty of educational opportunities, the Pet Boarding & Daycare Expo will feature a two-day trade show event on Wednesday and Thursday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. This is the perfect opportunity to talk with experts and manufacturers, compare prices, and take advantage of show specials. Barkleigh expects the trade show to include nearly 30 vendor booths for your shopping pleasure.

The host hotel for the Pet Boarding & Daycare Expo is the Sheraton Baltimore North, located in the Towson business district just 15 minutes from Baltimore’s Inner Harbor. If the Expo’s trade show does not satisfy all of your shopping desires, the hotel’s skywalk connects directly to the Towson Town Center, Maryland’s largest mall. To take advantage of Barkleigh’s special $129 nightly rate, tell the hotel you are with the Pet Boarding & Daycare Expo when you make your reservation.

Packages include the Do-It-All (admission to all three days of classes, both luncheons, and both days of trade show), the Basic (admission to classes and trade show on Wednesday and Thursday), and the Basic Deluxe (Basic package plus both luncheons). Seminars and trade show admission can be purchased individually.

The trade show special, which covers admission to both days of the trade show, is $15 (pre-registration price). Admission for one day of trade show is $10 (pre-registration price). The trade show is free to anyone registered to attend an educational seminar.

For more information, a schedule of events, and a registration form, see the Pet Boarding & Daycare Expo program book inserted in this issue of Pet Boarding & Daycare. Questions? Contact Barkleigh Productions at (717) 691-3388 or go to www.petboardingexpo.com.

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