Orlando. . .February 2013
The Global Pet Expo kicked off this week at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando. A three day extravaganza, this industry trade show is where pet supply store buyers come to see new products, place orders and meet and greet suppliers. 
Entrepreneurs with innovative ideas and giants in the world of pet products share the floor to entice visitors to their booths. Bird toys, cat furniture, and all things pet abound.
Our Rover Reporter decided to pick a few categories and bring back the best of those products to SarasotaDog.com. In the category of TREATS: These dog cookies definitely took 1st place from Fido’s Cookies. All natural and perfectly bone shaped, with a little frosting – our dog loved them. Best of all they come in this cool retro looking reusable tin.
They also are available in a ready-to-make bag, with a cute little bone cookie cutter. An awesome idea for kids who love dogs.
In the APPAREL category. . .Isaac Mizrahi the venerable fashion designer who collaborates with major retailers like Target debuted his new pet line of accessories. 
Partnering with Pet Edge, there are adorable dresses, coats and toys and beds – all coordinated.
Mizrahi and his team paid special attention to the gear suitable for boy dogs. Usually it seems designers focus on the feminine and throw the boys a bone with a decorative collar or t-shirt. But we also could not resist these little dresses, next year we hope to see larger sizes for bigger dogs.
In the category of TOYS. This super cool Indestruct-A-Ball qualified as something we can’t wait to get. It is manufactured from the renewable Mango wood. The medium size ball has little seeds inside making a delicious rattling almost like a maraca for pups to enjoy.
The added benefit is that the ball looks cool to humans and has a tactile feel, more like a piece of folk art than some cheesey, polyester and plastic item. It is made by Aussie Naturals and carried by Petco and other retailers.
For the High Kitsch Factor, we chose these uber realistic t-shirts from Platinum Pets:
A father and son team, Mark Kier, Sr. and Mark Kier, Jr. are marketing these fun t-shirts featuring pop icons like Michael Jackson, Lady Gaga and Mr. Spock.
The Kier’s expect these shirts to have a suggested retail price between $20.00 and $30.00. Platinum Pets also makes stylish and sturdy feeding bowls that are made in America.
In the category of Best Exhibit, Kurgo rolled away with it. Their booth featured a fully functional Airstream in the Convention Center suited up for a summer camping trip in Michigan. They featured dog coats, backpacks and their ever popular beds. Kurgo is also a favorite for their work with shelters.
Hope you enjoyed your trip through one of the largest pet product shows in the world. We loved new products this year and especially the emphasis on Ethical Products. Won’t it be awesome when the entire show floor can be categorized that way?
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