New England Pet Grooming Professionals

[4/5/2010] Exciting Changes Coming Soon!

There are exciting changes coming very soon to the NEPGP website! We are getting a complete makeover, with added features for you to take part in the NEPGP community. Stay Tuned!

[11/10/2009] Thanks To All That Attended!

We are so grateful to each of our Attendees, Competitors, Vendors, Sponsors and Staff for another fabulous show. The Competitions and Seminars were top notch. Many of you stocked up with our Vendors(no shipping). Missi Salzberg continued to add her charm and wit to the flow during the whole show. The Basket Raffle was so filled with people, it almost became a solid mass. Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! Now, on to our 30th big Anniversary Fall Fest!

[10/31/2009] Tickets Still Available at the Door

We are set to have a record turnout at this year's Fall Fest, and want you to be a part of it! For those of you that have already signed up, we have directions and schedules available, and if you have not signed up, we would love to see you at the festival as well. Reserve your room (mention NEPGP to save on room rates), check the schedule, and get ready to take all that we can give you home (knowledge, connections, skills, experience, deals on products, amazing raffle prizes, and more!) We are busy getting ready for the show, but will be ready with tickets at the door, via cash, check, Visa, MasterCard, American Express, or Discover.

[10/31/2009] Last Minute Additions to Our Guest List

Excited to meet personalities from Groomer Has It? Well, we have word that there will be even more members of the show coming to the Fall Fest! Judges, Contestants, we've got your favorites. Stay tuned, it's going to be an awesome show!

[10/19/2009] Add-On Alert & Surprise

The Add-On with Eric Salas, Coat, Tools, and Techniques, has been postponed until our next Fall Festival in 2010, but wait till you see the seminar we have replaced it with! There will be a multi-segment Add-On starting with Kendra Otto(Current GroomTeam Member), followed by a premier presentation with Huber, the winner of Groomer Has It - Season 2. Chris Christensen will present a section on the science of skin and coat. We are very excited, please come and join us! More details to follow...

[10/19/2009] Deadlines Extended to 10/31/09

We understand that your life is as busy as ours, and would like to give everyone a few extra days to catch up. Take a deep breath, lean back in your chair, then sign up for the Fall Festival at early bird rates! This is good for seminars, competitors, trade show and competition viewing, add-ons, and weekend packages. Just remember, before you dress up in your scary Halloween costumes and pig out on candy, sign up! We want to see you there!

[10/9/2009] Deadlines Appoaching!

November is almost here, and behind the scenes, the Fall Fest crew is working hard to get things ready. Since things are heating up, the early bird specials will be ending October 17th, 2009, after that, trade show entry will be between $15-$35 depending on details. Save money now, the process in fast and easy!

[9/9/2009] Craving Information?

You probably have quite a few questions about the Fall Fest, hopefully we can resolve some of those questions right here. The entire catalog is pretty large, so if you just need a certain piece of it, you can grab that a lot faster.

• The Catalog (6.8MB)
• Fall Fest Forms (300KB)
• Fall Fest Rules (211KB)
• Fall Fest Seminars (119KB)
• Fall Fest Schedule(103KB)

[9/8/2009] Many things are happening 'round here

This is a general update as to the goings on at the New England Pet Grooming Professionals. We are busy working on the Fall Festival and grooming dogs. If you haven't already, you will soon be receiving the catalog with the whole story of our Fall Fest! If you are new to NEPGP, be sure to mail lindacc@nepgp.com. She’ll get you into our database.

Spring Fling was an informative introspection of our relationship with the animals we love. It was well attended and our guest facilitator was Sandy Harrick. She appears regularly on Blog TV and radio talk shows as well. As always, she receives high praise from attendees.

The Fall Festival is shaping up to rate a full five arffs on the bark-o-meter. Special guests include Teri DiMarino, our Best In Show Judge. Teri will also be hosting one of our Friday add-ons. Eric Salsa of Cherrybrook will be doing the other add-on. Other judges include: Diane Betelak, Vero Da Sylva, Lisa Leady first runner up on Groomer Has It, and Sue Zecco.

New England Pet Grooming Professionals is the oldest non-profit grooming association in America. Thanks to Aescalap, the Poodle Class now has a larger prize. Thanks to our sponsors, vendors, staff, and YOU, we are able to continue. We are committed to serving the needs of the grooming industry at all levels. We remain the premier pet styling organization in the northeast. Thank you for you continued involvement in our wonderful organization.

[4/15/2009] Finally, Spring has sprung!

Spring fling is May 3rd, 2009 at the "Dances with Dogs" in Northampton, MA [Directions]. Morning session with Sandy Harrick - your inner connection with the dogs will be deepened. In the afternoon, "Groomer Has It" stars "Chicken Joe" Taylor and Jessica Gonyea will be available for chatting, signing autographs and maybe even some grooming. We have products donated from Andis, Aesclap and PetEdge that we can try and then unopened ones Raffles off. Aesculap is donating a Fav5 valued at $399. To be raffled off too. Tony, from A&J will have some products to try out. With Spring clean-ups happening daily, join us and learn something new. Apply Online!

[11/14/2008] Thanks To All Who Attended The Fall Fest!

Thanks to YOU, it happened again. New England Pet Grooming Professionals had a great FallFest. We also could not have done it without our staff. We had our Halloween party with ten foot Witch and lots of decorations, Missi playing great music, really creative costumes worn by you and the doggies. Many of the vendors said it was the best show yet. We even had our first Kiosk for registrations. We were all privileged to join as a group to acknowledge the Top Dog awards (winner AnnMarie Watson) and recognize Christine DeFilippo for being one the silent devoted servants of our industry; our first Pillar. Judging was tight and we thank our Judges for their professional impartial opinion. Congratulations to GroomTeam USA Open winner Jonathan David, winning Best in Show and Best All Around. Congrats to Intermediate Competitor Tara Denean winning Best in Show and Erin Andrianoff earning Best All Around. To our Entry winner, Lisa Correia winning Best in Show and Kimberly Cook earning Best All Around, you are moving up. A complete recap will be on our web very soon.

The seminars "according to you" were wonderful. (we read every evaluation & make adjustments) Our all-star speakers delivered meaningful information and inspiration to their attendees.

Now we have to "bury our bones" for a little rest (well, not really) and weather the winter till the Spring Fling. Our 2009 Member Dues will only be going our once this year to save on costs and deadline for being in the Member Directory is: Jan. 15, 2009. We are planning another fabulous show for next year, but for now, be well and we look forward seeing you at the Spring Fling. Thanks for making the New England Pet Grooming Professionals the premier pet styling organization in the Northeast!

[10/15/2008] Online Registration is ONLINE - Safe, Secure, and Tested

The Fall Festival is right around the corner, ane we are ready to make your weekend exciting, enjoyable and informative! Many of you have already registered with our online registration or by mail, but if you haven't, there's still time! Visit our online store to register for our trade show, seminars, competition, or friday intensive add-on packages. Have you got your costume ready for friday night? We do!

[8/30/2008] Have you received your catalog yet?

Catalogs are in the mail, but in case you missed the jam-packed information bonanza, Here is a link to the online version. This is what you need if you want to print out the registration, membership, or competition forms. Stay tuned for the online versions coming extremely soon.

[8/26/2008] Dear NEPGP Community

Phew...after a great deal of work, the catalogs are finally printed. The show will be a stunner. We apologize for being a little later than we had hoped for; the result will be a spectacular show.

Our stellar panel of International and National Judges and Speakers will include: Loretta Marchese , Wendell Sammett (Alekai Poodles), Bea VanZanten(Netherlands), Marea Tully, Lisa Leady, Bob Harris, Sandy Harrick, Danelle German, Monique Van de Ven, Michael Fleck DVM, Todd Shelly, and Scott Wasserman. Our Best In Show Judge is Melissa Verplank. Of course our event is Groom Team Sanctioned. There will be a Friday Add On program with Melissa Verplank, author of Notes From The Grooming Table published by White Dog Enterprises, Inc. The other Friday add-on will be the Comprehensive Mobile Grooming Seminar with Dina Perry. As always, we will have Entry, Intermediate, and Open competitions to serve the full range of our participants.

This year our Grand Door Prize at the Fall Festival will be a 4 day trip with all expenses paid Interning with Melissa Verplank at the Paragon Pet Styling Salon in Michigan. (airfare, lodging, and food all included). This way we can help some lucky person take a step forward.

There's much more than can be said in this letter; Missi Salzberg MC'ing, the trade show with fabulous vendors and show specials, fantastic seminars, a Halloween Party co-sponsored by Grooming Business Magazine, and the Top Dog competition for members only with a prize from Kenchii. Mark your calendars: October 31-November 2, 2008.

We look forward to seeing you all at the Fall Festival.

[5/15/2008] Spring Fling Recap

In case you missed it, the Spring Fling was informative, educational and a heck of a lot of fun! Check out the pictures in our Flickr group

We had top lecturers and beautiful demo dogs. Thanks to all participants, Silver City Training Center, Linda and the Yorkie Rescue Caterers for providing lunch.

We would like to acknowledge the gratitude we feel to our instructors for their wonderful contributions. To the attendees who made the effort to invest themselves in self-improvement and the opportunity for our organization to serve---we thank you!

[3/15/2008] Mobile Grooming Add On Program-Fall 2008

We are fortunate to have Dina Perry at our Fall Fest. She is a highly successful businesswoman, among her credits, a fleet of Mobile Grooming Vans. She will be discussing the dynamics of Mobile Grooming with detailed information for the sole proprietor and the entrepreneur.

Her business, Wag'nTails Grooming Conversions www.wagntails.com is also our Poodle Sponsor. We are grateful for their support. Don't miss this opportunity!

[2/16/2008] Spring Fling 2008 Details

Our Spring Fling is intended to give you a better understanding of the business aspect of grooming dogs and offer you an opportunity to improve your skills and awareness of different styles. Missi will start the morning session with "Thinking outside the Crate" an informative session sure to inspire.

After lunch and our brief annual meeting, we will present Head studies - subtle differences and similarities with many of the following live dog models:

• Scotties and Schnauzers
• Westies and Cairns
• Mixed Breeds
• Bouvier (head, undercoat removal techniques tools, and matt demo)
• Bichon
• Poodle

Guests panelists:

• Vero DaSylva
• Sue Pratt
• Lynn Boucher,NCMG
• Anne Francis
• Linda Claflin

What a great way to set up for the busy season; refresh yourself on styles, techniques, insights, and go back to work excited! Click here to register online!

[2/2/2008]Early Planning for the 2008 Fall Festival

The New England Fall Holiday Festival dates are October 31st-November 2nd, 2008. New this year is Friday set up with show opening late Friday afternoon. We are going to have a heck of a Halloween Party Friday night with the fabulous Missi Salzberg hosting. We plan to have the generous support of our Exhibitors and Sponsors donating lots of "Freebies" to add to the fun. Plans are still formulating-perhaps a Creative styling costume competition?

We have some verbal commitments for the Fall Holiday Fest we want to share with you. Cross your fingers!

Judges

• Best in Show and Scissoring: Melissa Verplank
• Poodles: Loretta Marchese and Wendall Sammett, AleKai Kennels
• Sporting: Bea VanZanten, The Netherlands
• Terriers: Scott Wasserman, Texas

Speakers

• Todd Shelley from Barkleigh Productions, PA: Insurance issues
• Scott Wasserman: Handstripping Terriers
• Bea VanZanten: American Cocker demo
• Melissa Verplank: All Day Seminar Friday, October 31st.

We are planning to have Best in Show and Best All Around for Entry, Intermediate and Open Levels of Competition Sunday early afternoon. We have chosen to end the show earlier on sunday, so everyone can stay to watch Best in Show, have a chance to win the amazing grand door prize, and still get home comfortably.

The Grand Door Prize is an all Expense Paid trip to Paragon School of Pet Grooming in Michigan for 4 nights, three days, meals and a fabulous opportunity to improve your skills. Remember, Melissa wrote the book, "Notes From the Grooming Table" a text used by Certification programs. Think what you will learn, no matter what level you are at, you will be sure to improve. Now, the only thing is if you are afraid of flying...

[11/11/2007]First Fall Festival Photos

There are now new photos of the 2007 Fall Festival available on our Flickr group. Please feel free to add your own photos to the group!

[11/10/2007]A Big Thank You

Thank you to all that came to the 2007 Fall Festival. We had a bunch of fun, learned a lot, and hope that you did the same. Congratulations to all of our winners, and all of the entry level competitors, everyone knows how stressful it can be to be judged for the first time.

The New England Pet Grooming Professionals don't stop once the Fall Festival is over! We will be looking at how to improve for our next festival, and prepare for the "Spring Fling" workshop weekend. If you have any feedback about the Fall Fest or ideas for the next festival, please send an E-mail to us, your input really has an effect on the content and schedule of the festival!

[11/1/2007]Last Minute Before the Fall Festival!

WOW, the Fall Fest is already looking great! Setup is going well, there is amazing new competition lighting, a great schedule of events, and exciting prizes, prices, and pooches!

If you're still on the fence, or just heard about the show, there is still time to come and get a ticket at the door! You can even still compete, as long as you get to the show before Saturday at 9am for the singing of the Pledge of Allegiance.

Remember to take one last look at the schedule before heading out to Warwick RI, it is slightly more up to date than the catalog(but the catalog has complete info)

What Happened to that News Item?

Missing a news item? Please check the News Archive for what you are looking for.