October 2007 / Issue 16
Chairman's Message
APPMA Membership Soars
By Kay Schwichtenberg
Chairman of the Board, APPMA
As Chairman of APPMA, I recently experienced one of the most exciting moments I can remember in my time spent serving on this Board. In August we welcomed 29 new members to our Association. The addition of these fine companies led to a milestone in APPMA's 49-year history with our total membership numbers soaring beyond 1,000! This news should be exciting to all of us for many reasons, but above all it sends a clear message that our industry is thriving. In fact, we predict that Americans will spend $40.8 billion on their pets this year.
I believe our unprecedented membership numbers also demonstrate that both veteran companies and new ones alike in our industry understand that to make their mark in the market place, membership in APPMA is crucial and can play an integral role in the success of their companies. Members of APPMA have access to Global Pet Expo, as well as public relations and legislative representation, state-of-the-art member service programs, and the unparalleled National Pet Owners Survey. I think it is also important to recognize the contributions from the fantastic staff at APPMA.
This group works tirelessly to make Global Pet Expo the premier trade show in the industry, and does all that they can to ensure members are getting the most from their memberships. I'd like to take this opportunity to acknowledge each of you and the role you play in making APPMA so strong and for your contributions in making this industry the force that it is today. Your commitment to innovation and to making products that contribute to the joy of owning a pet and to a pet's life is what keeps us growing.
When I stop to reflect on our growth both as an Association and as an industry it is nothing short of amazing. I cannot wait to see what the future holds.