Groom Expo information coming soon!
*Last year's info below

Groom Expo Events

Wahl

Best In Show Awards

Saturday Evening

First, it’s an elegant dinner and overall a grand occasion with some of the finest cuisine that the Hershey Lodge chefs can offer.

After dinner, the GroomOlympics Best in Show awards will take center stage. The big bucks will be given away as 5 groomers, from the five classes who competed on Friday and Saturday, strut their stuff. The winners will be chosen by the judging panel, and one GroomOlympics World Champion will be crowned.

2022 Best In Show Winner

Groom Expo Opening Night Party

Friday Night 9:00pm
in the Nigerian Room

Come dressed as your favorite decade free for all attendees!

Groom Expo 2023 Opening Night Party

Abstract Creative Runway

Saturday Evening

Following the Best in Show awards at Groom Expo, groomers will have the opportunity to showcase the beauty in simplicity by entering Saturday evening’s abstract runway competition. Taking place between Saturday’s dinner and the Barkleigh Honors Awards, the competition features beautifully sculpted, simple abstract designs that use minimal color, if any. These designs should be doable in one day and be appropriate for a client’s dog or cat. Without any elaborate scenery or costumes, contestants will rely on their designs and complementary stylist’s attire as they compete for prizes of $1000, $500, and $250.

2022 Abrstract Creative Winner

Sponsored by

Saturday Night - Aztec Room

Barkleigh Honors After Party

Saturday Night 10:00pm
in the Cocoa Terrace Room

It’s time to bring your singing from the shower to the stage! Join us after the Barkleigh Honors Awards on Saturday night in the Cocoa Terrace for One Hit Wonder Karaoke. Grab a drink and a friend and stop by to show off those vocal cords! Doors open at 10:00pm.

Karaoke

Playnight at the Puppy Playground

Friday Evening 7:00pm

More than 80,000 dogs have participated on the Playground. The systems that have evolved are focused on safety and promote owner responsibility. We invite you to come see what we do. Learn why we do it, and how you can too!

Internet Mingle

Hosts: Jameson & Milena Kon

Thursday Evening 7 - 10pm

It’s great that everyone gets to know each other on social media, but this is a great opportunity to get to meet them in person!

Come check it out, and invite all your groomer friends to come along. Those that have attended our mingles before, knows how much fun they are! There will be food, drinks, and plenty of raffles and interactive games. Hope to see you guys there! Let’s mingle and let’s have fun!!!

Rescue Round-Up Invitational

The Rescue Round-Up Invitational the culmination of a year’s worth of rescue competitions at shows all over the country. The top three placements from Groom Expo, Groom Expo West, Atlanta Pet Fair, Northwest Grooming Show, PetQuest, All American and SuperZoo are invited to compete.

But, the real winner in this event are the dogs that are in need of a home. Nearly every dog used in the competitions over the past few years has been adopted.

Rescue Round Up Invitational

Sponsored by

Rescue Sponsor

Creative Styling Contest

Creative Styling Contest at Groom Expo, with $5,500 in prize money and trophies.

This is the highlight of the Expo, with the winner taking home great prize money. This contest will offer first, second and third placements with $2,500, $1,500 and $1,000 to each winner, respectively. The winner of the People’s Choice Award will win $500 and will be seen on the cover of Groomer to Groomer magazine.

The contest is scheduled for Sunday afternoon, and viewing is FREE to all seminar and trade show attendees.

2022 Creative Winner

Sponsored by

Creative Sponsor

AKC S.A.F.E. Certified Mock Salon

Stop by the AKC S.A.F.E. Certified Mock Salon, right across from the escalator, to learn about grooming safety best practices as well as becoming an AKC S.A.F.E. Certified Groomer or Salon. Save 30% off the AKC Safety in the Salon online course, the first step in becoming an AKC S.A.F.E. Certified Groomer or Salon, by signing up during Groom Expo.

As reputable and quality pet care professionals, groomers should consider the safety and welfare of the pets entrusted to their care. The AKC S.A.F.E. Grooming Program starts with the AKC Safety in Salon course. This course reviews best practices focusing on pet care, health, and safety. Topics covered include accident avoidance, disease awareness, and sanitation. To learn more visit us at www.akc.org/safe-grooming

How AKC Government Relations Helps Groomers

The AKC Government Relations team will be available in the AKC S.A.F.E. Certified Salon to talk to you about important laws and legislation that directly affect grooming businesses. This is also a great chance for you to let us know how our Government Relations team can further help groomers and address different issues in the grooming industry.

akc certified salon akc certified salon certificate

AKC Master Groomer

Learn more at www.caninecollege.akc.org

Contest Grooming Tables

Ryan's is sponsoring grooming tables with grooming arms for the use of contestants. These tables will be offered at show special prices.

Hydraulic and Electric available!
Reserve your equipment at the show!

Burger and Soda

Provided by

Ryan's Pet Supplies

Luncheons

Luncheons have always been great fun at Groom Expo — a really nice time to get to know pet professionals from another state or even another country. Plus you will be served a tasty meal… without eating it on the run or at your grooming table! Now there is a plus.

Be sure and get the VIP or Deluxe admission so you can enjoy these great Expo meal events in between your seminars. Expo Meals can also be purchased separately.

Expo Luncheons are included in Do–It–All Deluxe, Weekend Deluxe, as well as Family and Friends Expo Meals packages.
Luncheons may also be purchased separately

Burger and Soda

Hosted by

Mr. B Entertainment Group

Gospel Concert & Breakfast

Sunday Morning 8 - 10am

Join us and your peers Sunday morning for a fabulous breakfast featuring worship by Rev. Donna McGaa Carey

Gospel concert and breakfast is included with the VIP and deluxe packages. It can be purchased separately.

Rev. Donna McGaa Carey- Songbird

Rev. Donna McGaa Carey'

During her thirty years in the pet industry, Rev. Donna has owned and operated successful salons and mobile grooming units. She currently has an in-home salon called Heart in Harmony Dog. Being a veteran groomer, her accomplishments include winning multiple awards and being a former GroomTeam member and GroomTeam Board member. Donna is a Certified Master NDGAA Groomer, Certified Pet Massage Practitioner, and Reiki Master. She has also served in the pet grooming industry as a judge, speaker, and teacher for Intergroom, Barkleigh and NDGAA.

With dogs being her first passion, her second is sharing the love of Creator-God in song. Donna’s heart desire is to share her experiences and knowledge to uplift and give hope and encouragement to others. She has experience in singing internationally, being a motivational speaker at women's retreats, and as a sound practitioner, touching one heart at a time in weddings, classrooms, celebrations of life, and in threshold choir for ten years. Donna was formerly married to her late husband, Eagleman McGaa, a Lakota Native, from whom she acquired a deeper connection in Lakota traditions with nature and sound.