Have you ever wondered what really goes down at the biggest pet boarding and daycare expo in the world?

Curious about what latest industry insights and trends get shared at these events?

Are the in-person networking opportunities worth the travel time?

This jam-packed episode comes to you LIVE from the 2024 Hershey Expo, where host Dom Hodgson gives you an all-access backstage pass to hear from movers and shakers in attendance. You’ll get all the juicy details as Dom chats with the rebels, rule-breakers, and rising stars of pet care world – vendors with visionary twists, experts spilling game-changing secrets, and dynamic daycare owners bringing a fresh spark to boarding and enrichment.

Dom and his roving reporter Tim Jackson didn’t just fly over 3,000 miles for the chocolate (although, let’s be real, that helped) – they came to have a blast with some incredible business owners. Couldn’t make it this year? Don’t sweat it – they’ve packed up all the highlights, insights, and excitement and brought the expo straight to your ears! Just don’t forget to register for Pet Boarding and Daycare West in Vegas in May.

In this episode, you’ll discover:

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• The Lab Test Goldmine – How to turn mandatory faecal testing into a juicy profit-maker that has clients seeing you as the health-conscious leader in town.
  
• Daycare Induction Magic – Why ditching single-day evaluations for a 5-day induction is filling Greenlin Pet Resorts’ booking calendar and maximizing client loyalty.
  
• Mutt Murder Mysteries – Jen’s brilliantly twisted plans to add thrill to doggy daycare, hooking clients with a program that keeps owners coming back
  
• Pricing Like You Mean it – How Chelsea from The Ruff Inn learned to unapologetically raise prices and get paid for the high-quality, boutique service her clients crave.
  
• Mastering Expo Connections – Why seasoned expo-goers swear by the Hershey Expo for uncovering new vendors, staying ahead of industry trends, and making partnerships that pay off.
  

Huge thanks to all the amazing folks we interviewed in this episode! Stay tuned for part two next week, where Dom dives even deeper into expo highlights and shares more inspiring success stories from industry leaders.

Remember, the next Pet Boarding and Daycare Expo is happening in Las Vegas from 5^th-8^th May, 2025. You can be the first to find out when registration opens by adding your details here

Huge thanks to this week’s show sponsors Pet Resort Hospitality Group

Pet Resort Hospitality Group are building a family of the highest quality Pet Boarding and Daycare brands in North America. If you want to know what the future of your business could look like if you ever want to sell, then reach out to PRHG by going to petresorts.love

To find out more about Dominic Hodgson and his exclusive pet business consulting services go to www.petbusinessmarketing.com/audition

You can subscribe to the Pet Boarding and Daycare Magazine by going to PetBoardingandDaycare.com

Episode Highlights:

[00:51] – The founders of Canine Labs discuss how they’re revolutionizing faecal testing services for daycare and boarding facilities.
[04:32] – Dom, now back in England and de-jetlagged,reflects on the good vibrations he picked up at the Hershey expo.
[08:38] – A conversation with Sean Felty from Greenlin Pet Resorts about expanding to six locations and implementing enrichment-based services.
[10:00] – Dom and Sean explore the financial benefits of transitioning to a daycare induction program and maximizing client engagement.
[14:34] – Pet care business owner Jen shares her success with enrichment activities and discusses her ideas for a Tim Jackson-inspired “murder mystery” event.
[18:42] – Chelsea from The Ruff Inn shares how Dom’s pricing strategy advice helped her realize the importance of charging for high-quality services.
[23:06] – Holiday House Pet Resort owner Katy Metzler talks about navigating staffing challenges and finding passionate, client-focused team members.
[27:25] – Erin and Hayley from Playful Pups Retreat discuss their plans to incorporate premium add-ons like scent rooms and activity bowls.
[29:54] – Tracy, owner of Details Pet Grooming, reflects on her favourite expo insights and her upcoming scent space project inspired by Dom’s enrichment tips.
[41:07] – Dom teases the upcoming second instalment of this Hershey special, where we’ll hear from more insightful attendees and vendors.