Listen to this articleGROOM’D, the grooming conference and trade show for the pet grooming community, recently concluded its 2024 gathering, bringing nearly 4,000 industry professionals to the Georgia International Conference Center from March 8 to 10 in College Park, Georgia.
This year’s event saw a remarkable 15 percent increase in attendance compared to 2023, attracting nearly 4,000 pet care professionals from across the country. Hosted by the World Pet Association (WPA), GROOM’D provided three days filled with grooming competitions, educational sessions, networking opportunities, and a show floor featuring the latest tools and products.
Mike Karsting, senior vice president of the WPA said they were “thrilled with the tremendous success of GROOM’D 2024. This year’s event exceeded all expectations, bringing together a diverse and passionate community of professionals in pet care.”
The record-breaking attendance is a testament to the growing importance of GROOM’D in our industry, providing unparalleled opportunities for networking, education, and innovation. We are proud to continue serving as a hub for excellence in pet grooming and care, and we look forward to building on this success for future events,” added Karsting.
The show floor covers 18,290 square feet of space hosting 105 exhibitors from various sectors of the pet care industry. Attendees had the opportunity to explore grooming tools, accessories and wellness products while interacting with industry leaders.
More than 55 educational sessions were conducted, totaling over 100 hours of live demos, hands-on workshops, and business seminars. Led by 28 industry experts, these sessions cover grooming techniques, business management techniques, and pet care best practices. Attendees gained valuable insights to enhance their skills and expertise, including mastering grooming techniques, ensuring animal comfort in boarding and daycare settings, and understanding types a coat.
GROOM’D 2024 featured pet grooming competitions where groomers of all experience levels showcased their talent and creativity. Judged by celebrity groomers, more than 180 professionals competed in various categories for a prize pool in excess of $18,000.
The 2024 first-place contest winners are:
Best in Show
- Best First-Time Competitor in Show: Jo Mitchel, Nomadic-Tails (Spring, Texas)
- Best International Pet Stylist in Show: Jovi Wagner, Churchill Dog Groomers (Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada)
- Best All-Around Pet Stylist in Show: Lis Johnston, Serenity Pet Spa (Madison, Wisconsin)
- Best Pet Stylist in Show: Veronica Frosch, The Paw Shoppe (Coon Rapids, Minnesota)
Mixed Salon/Freestyle
- Entry: Andrea Diamantidis (Shamong, New Jersey)
- Intermediate: Charlene Spencer (East Bethel, Minnesota)
- Tomorrow: Veronica Frosch (Coon Rapids, Minn.)
- Best International Competitor in Class: Wynne Wong (Richmond Hill, Ontario, Canada)
- Best First-Time Class Competitor: Kayla Marion (Robertsdale, Alabama)
Other Purebreds
- Entry: Paige Yancey (Goodlettsville, Tennessee)
- Intermediate: Madeline Brown (Wytheville, Virginia)
- Open: Jessica Daltrey (Thorndale, Ontario, Canada)
- Team: Jessica Daltrey (Thorndale, Ontario, Canada)
- Best International Competitor in Class: Jessica Daltrey (Thorndale, Ontario, Canada)
- Best First-Time Class Competitor: Sarah Miller (Brookhaven, Georgia)
The Extreme Duo
- First Place: Mackensie Murphy and Angela Kumpe (Cicero, New York)
The Clipper Class (sponsored by Wahl)
- First Place: Madeline Rothwell (Mesa, Arizona)
Wire Coats (Hand Strip) (sponsored by PetEdge)
- Entry: Allison Miller (Columbus, Wisconsin)
- Intermediate: Stephanie Wilson (Cincinnati, Ohio)
- Open: Lis Johnston (Madison, Wisconsin)
- Team: Lis Johnston (Madison, Wisconsin)
- Best International Class Competitor: Jovi Wagner (Saskatoon, Canada)
- Best First-Time Competitor in Class (Sponsored by Andis): Jo Mitchell (Carrollton, Georgia)
Abstract Design Challenge
- Ethan Parsons (Quebec, Tennessee)
Sporting (Spaniels & Setters) (sponsored by earthbath)
- Entry: Jessica Ogle (Chandler, Texas)
- Intermediate: Amy Gillespie (Upper Darby, Pennsylvania)
- Open: Lis Johnston (Madison, Wisconsin)
- Team: Lis Johnston (Madison, Wisconsin)
- Best International Class Competitor: Nadia Bongelli (Brampton, Ontario, Canada)
Poodles (Sponsored by GEIB Buttercut)
- Entry: Nanci Cardenas (Leander, Texas)
- Intermediate: Janna DeBey (Lilburn, Georgia)
- Tomorrow: Veronica Frosch (Coon Rapids, Minn.)
- Team: Veronica Frosch (Coon Rapids, Minnesota)
- Best International Competitor in Class: Melissa Abbott (Chilliwack, British Columbia, Canada)
- Best First-Time Class Competitor: Kaitlyn Burfield (Blue Ridge, Georgia)
Creative Dog and Cat Styling (Sponsored by Wag ‘n Tails Mobile Conversions)
- Entry: Heather Kelly (Shreveport, Louisiana)
- Open: Jordan Peterson (Ooltewah, Tennessee)
