2 8 PET TRADE WORLD OCTOBER 2009www. pettradeworld. com Glee News and New Products Arden Grange: a double celebration Arden Grange announced the receipt of two accolades at the Pet Product Retail Association ( PPRA) Awards at the recent GLEE PET INDEX show. This is the second consecutive year in which Arden Grange has won the award for Best Supplier. This year, the company also took home a second award thanks to Arden Grange Area Manager Sue Hodgkiss, who was awarded the title of Best Representative. PPRA, a division of the British Hardware Federation, is a trade association for independent retailers and suppliers in the pet industry. The Pet Product Retail Association Awards were formed in 2005, to recognise and reward excellence within the sector. In the Best Supplier category, members are asked to consider certain criteria while voting, including: product design; use; range and quality; availability; sales and wow factor. According to Diana Truman, executive secretary of PPRA, the awards are an opportunity for the people in the industry to show their appreciation to the companies, people and products they deal with. " The Best Representative award in particular is a real coup, as it rewards the people on the front- line, we can say here is something for all your hard work!" Sue Hodgkiss is a valued and experienced member of the Arden Grange team, having been an Area Manager with the company since 1996. During that time her passion and commitment to pet nutrition has shone through, enabling her to build fantastic relationships with retailers and breeders in central England and north Wales. Graham Stephens, Managing Director of Arden Grange said, " We are proud to have received these awards. Our strong growth not only confi rms the quality of our products, but also refl ects the calibre of our staff and their commitment in upholding the Arden Grange standard of excellence." The award was received by Sue Hodgkiss ( Area Manager), Jennifer Chambers and Val Botting ( Marketing Manager and Marketing Administrator), on behalf of Arden Grange. ¦ Glee 2009 GLEE 2009 is now over and done with and whilst it was obvious that the stand space taken was smaller than last year and large contingents of food and aquatic manufacturers were missing, there was still a positive vibe around the hall during the three days. Glee Petindex show director, Daniel Thurlow said: " This year's Petindex has been so well received. Thousands of visitors attended from across the UK and abroad, from major multiples to independent retailers - and they were buying. A number of exhibitors reported record sales; one even saying that the orders they took covered their costs within the fi rst two hours! But people also commented that Petindex was a really warm, friendly and high quality show this year. As well as that, being alongside Glee, Petindex exhibitors were able to meet buyers from the garden retail sector which is a huge advantage and something no other show can off er. It certainly goes to prove that as an exhibitor you can achieve everything you want with one, national pet trade show rather than going to all the add- on costs associated with attending several events. The real praise however goes to the visitors and exhibitors themselves, whose attendance meant that Petindex worked well from both the buying and the selling perspective. Our exhibitors worked hard and fully deserve the success they achieved." ¦

www. pettradeworld. comPET TRADE WORLD OCTOBER 2009 29 Glee News and New Products On the opening day of Glee 2009, organisers Emap Connect have confi rmed fresh dates for next year's show, as well as a strengthened set of exhibitor benefi ts including a value- driven pricing structure, turnkey stand packages, boosted marketing provision and innovative show content. Speaking at a Press Conference held during the show, Glee show director Daniel Thurlow confi rmed: " With a rich history of service stretching back 34 years, Glee is unique in being the only, full spectrum trade show for the garden, pet and leisure industries. With the highest number of exhibitors and visitors of any other UK show, and endorsed by GIMA, the HTA, Gardenex and the Pet Care Trust, Glee delivers by far the best return on investment for suppliers and buyers alike. Continual evolution is important, however, which is why in response to demand we are pleased to announce a number of new initiatives to make Glee 2010 even better value, well timed and brimming with business opportunities for the whole industry." The plans outlined for Glee 2010 by Emap Connect are the result of proactive consultation and research with Glee exhibitors, visitors, trade associations, the NEC and other partners. Many of the new initiatives aim to help drive down the total costs of exhibiting. Daniel Thurlow continued: " It has never been more essential that exhibitors have the strongest possible exhibition platform from which they can do profi table business. Off ering scale, relevance, timeliness and added value, Glee is that platform. This wide reaching set of initiatives for 2010 will boost the show's off ering on a number of vital levels." Key announcements for Glee 2010 include: . Monday to Wednesday trading: Having historically taken place from Sunday to Tuesday, Glee 2010 will open on Monday 20th September and close on Wednesday 22nd September 2010 in response to exhibitor and visitor demand . Rate freeze - For the second year running, no exhibitor will experience a rise in the price per square metre. Glee's prices have also been adjusted to ensure that Glee remains highly competitive and refl ects the value the show delivers. In order to achieve this, a new discounted price structure has been applied in order to reward loyalty and volume. Lapsed customers will also still qualify for loyalty discounts as their price will refl ect their previous history with Glee. . Turnkey stand packages - In 2010 Glee will off er exhibitors a cost- eff ective new option to help achieve a professional, well designed stand at lower cost. Glee's turnkey stand packages have been created in conjunction with one of the UK's leading exhibition and event services companies, NEC- based Melville Logistics. Open to all exhibitors, but with a specifi c focus on those exhibitors who wish to achieve a more personalised stand, the new stand packages will help alleviate the increased costs often associated with the design and storage of a custom made stand. . Increased PR and marketing support - Opportunities will include specialised VIP programmes to include personal invites to the show; web support such as buttons, banners, logos and click- throughs; plus a presence in pre- show marketing collateral. Complementary, ongoing PR support from Glee's dedicated PR team to boost profi le in the UK and international trade media will also be available to all exhibitors. Additionally, the show's website, gleebirmingham. com - which has had over half a million individual page views since January 2009 - has fast become a defi nitive buyers list. Organisers are currently looking into the opportunities aff orded by adding a transactional facility to the site. . Pre- show marketing workshops - Expanding an introductory scheme initiated in 2009 with GIMA, Glee will off er companies the option of attending pre- show marketing workshops, to help exhibitors prepare and to maximise the opportunities associated with participating at the show, plus information and advice on support facilities available to Glee exhibitors before, during and after Glee. . Imaginative show content - Glee is increasingly introducing show content to compliment stand activity. Providing another route for visitors to access exhibitors, each of the show features are designed to place products in wider context, provide inspiration and showcase products in imaginative and innovative ways. . Focus on design and innovation - Continuing Glee's reputation as the champion of industry innovation, new product design will again be highlighted on the show fl oor with features and attractions that celebrate fresh thinking and inspirational ideas. Examples include the Glee New Products and the Innovators Zone. . Targeted overseas and VIP marketing campaigns - Glee's ongoing marketing will include targeted international campaigns with the aim of attracting Glee announces value- added plans for 2010