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Social Media Plays Big Role at Global Pet Expo 2010

- New Mobile Site Provides Real Time Access to Global Pet Expo Information Via Smart Phones, and Dedicated Facebook, Twitter and YouTube Pages Provided Interactive Communication Channels -

(Greenwich, CT—May 11, 2010)— The American Pet Products Association (APPA) and Pet Industry Distributors Association (PIDA) are pleased to announce the successful launch of a mobile Global Pet Expo website for the 2010 show, which took place March 23-25 in Orlando, FL. Attendees were provided interactive, multimedia content and information on their mobile phones. Twitter, YouTube and Facebook were also used to enhance their show experience and success.

The mobile site included general show information such as show hours and event times as well as a floor map, shuttle bus schedules, an exhibitor directory, and pictures and videos of the days’ events. The site also provided important announcements such as the New Products Showcase winners, timely reminders of activities, seminars and special networking events. The site incorporated a feature that enabled attendees to forward the mobile site link via a text message to their colleagues and contacts.

“It is important that we are always at the cutting edge of technology and innovative new features to continually advance Global Pet Expo and enhance our attendees’ experience at the show,” said Andy Darmohraj, Senior Vice President of APPA. “This mobile site gave buyers, exhibitors and press convenient real time access to important information that expanded their opportunities for success at Global Pet Expo.”

Attendees were also able to broadcast a message to the entire show using their own Twitter accounts. Monitors located throughout the exhibit hall and in the press office displayed live Tweets from anyone using the Global Pet Expo hashtag (#globalpetexpo). To do this, Global Pet Expo organizers created a customized “Twub” (www.twubs.com/globalpetexpo) that automatically compiled all Tweets regarding the show and fed them into a live Global Pet Expo display. This proved to be a valuable medium of communication for attendees and created buzz about the exhibitors and their products.

“I just put out one tweet one day at the show and got a response from a natural pet bakery that wanted us to come by and see them,” said Mary Paoli, West Paw Design, an exhibitor. “When I got there they had a great co-promotion idea and it seems like something that is very promising. It wouldn’t have happened without Twitter, so thank you Twitter and Global Pet Expo.”

Additional social media incorporated into this year’s show included a dedicated YouTube channel (www.youtube.com/globalpetexpo) and Facebook page (www.facebook.com/globalpetexpo). Videos and photos were uploaded to these sites to showcase the attendees’ Global Pet Expo experience.

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Global Pet Expo, the pet industry’s largest annual trade show, is presented by the American Pet Products Association (APPA) and Pet Industry Distributors Association (PIDA). The 2010 Show featured 803 exhibitors, 2,250 booths and more than 3,000 new product launches. 4,495 pet product buyers from around the world attended. In 2011, Global Pet Expo will take place March 16-18, 2011, in Orlando, FL. Global Pet Expo is open to independent retailers, distributors, mass-market buyers, and other qualified professionals. For more information, visit www.globalpetexpo.org.

The American Pet Products Association (APPA) is the leading not-for-profit trade association serving the interests of the pet products industry since 1958. APPA membership includes nearly1,000 pet product manufacturers, their representatives, importers and livestock suppliers representing both large corporations and growing business enterprises. APPA's mission is to promote, develop and advance pet ownership and the pet product industry and to provide the services necessary to help its members prosper. Visit www.americanpetproducts.org for more information.
 

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