APPMA News Briefs:

Newly Elected APPMA Board Positions Announced
The Association is pleased to announce that Kay Schwichtenberg of Central Life Sciences has been elected Chairman of the APPMA Board of Directors, along with Michael Farmer of Firstrax as Vice Chairman and Michael O'Bryan of Virbac as Secretary/Treasurer. Click here for more information.

New APPMA Members Welcomed
The Association would like to welcome 38 new member companies approved in January by APPMA's Board of Directors. Please click here to view a list of the new members.

Projected Total Spending Figures Released By APPMA
In February, APPMA released to the media an all time high pet industry spending forecast of $40 Billion for 2007. Total pet spending in 2006 was $38.5 billion, quite an increase from the $21 billion Americans spent over a decade ago in 1996. This year, Americans’ spending on pets is projected to be higher than ever at $40.8 billion. Additionally, APPMA provided a breakdown of spending in the following categories: food, supplies/OTC medication, veterinary care, live animal purchases, and other services. To view the breakdown and press release distributed to the media, click here.

Dues Notices
Beginning in May, APPMA members will receive the first of three membership renewal notices for the year 2008. Members are asked to send in their dues for the upcoming year by July 31, 2007. For those interested in exhibiting in the 2008 Global Pet Expo, it is important to note that after July 31st, only member companies who have paid their 2008 dues will be assigned a booth. If members have questions about their dues, they may contact the Member Relations and Business Development department at memberservices@appma.org or
(203) 532-0000 x521.

2008 Global Pet Expo Prospectus
The Exhibitor Prospectus for the 2008 Global Pet Expo will now be available exclusively online at www.globalpetexpo.org. Members will receive a hard copy of the floor plan in the mail in early May. The booth application and agreement, display rules, fact sheet, priority points list and show rules will be posted online in May as well. Click here for more information.