Even in the face of a recession, Intergroom 2009 matched last year’s numbers by bringing in more than 3,000 attendees and more than 90 exhibitors.

“I think everyone felt like the economic crunch had disappeared—at least for the weekend,” said show coordinator Christine DeFilippo. “Our industry is strong and well and continuing to grow.”

The three-day show, held April 16-19 in Somerset, N.J., bustled with vendor exhibits, educational seminars and competitions for pet-care professionals. The Best in Show banquet, held Saturday, offered a reprieve from economic woes with the presentation of the Cardinal Crystal Achievement Awards and a screening of a new episode of “Groomer Has It,” an Animal Planet reality television show in its second season. Competitors from both seasons of the program were in the audience, as was judge Joey Villani.

Intergroom’s competitions garnered interest among top national and international groomers. The competition boasted 116 entries with approximately 196 dogs, according to DeFilippo.

A total of 35 groomers entered 79 dogs in the Intergroom International Groomer of the Year Competition. By comparison, 32 groomers entered 75 dogs in last year’s competition.

Lindsey Dicken of Wag’N Splash (Altamonte Springs, Fla.) was named International Groomer of the Year for her work on a bichon frisé. Dicken won $2,750 from PetSmart Inc. (Phoenix), a solid-gold Intergroom medallion and chain and a rosette. In addition, her name will be added to the Liz Paul Memorial Trophy.

Jonathan David of New York Canine Co. (Astoria, N.Y.) was named Best All-Around American Groomer, based on points earned throughout the competition. He won a $2,009 gift certificate from PetEdge (Topsfield, Mass.), the Challenge Trophy and a rosette.

Jackie Boulton of Mucky Pups (Calgary, Alberta) was named Best All-Around International Groomer, based on points earned throughout the competition. She won $1,000 plus hotel and entry fees for Intergroom 2010 from Stazko Associates Inc. (Myakka City, Fla.), an inlaid gemstone globe trophy and a rosette.

Sponsors for the Groomer of the Year Competition and the Rising Star of the Year Competitions were Andis Co. (Racine, Wis.), ConairPro Professional Pet Grooming Products (Stamford, Conn.), Gibson Governor Insurance (Vienna, Ohio), Grooming Business Magazine (New York), Lambert Kay/Church & Dwight Co. Inc. (Princeton, N.J.), Les Pooch (Tuxedo, N.Y.), Nature’s Specialties Manufacturing (Corona, Calif.), PetSmart Inc. (Phoenix), PetEdge (Topsfield, Mass.), Stazko Associates Inc. (Myakka City, Fla.), Tropiclean Products Co. (Wentzville, Mo.) and Intergroom Inc. (Dedham, Mass.).

Judges included acknowledged grooming experts: Veronique Da Sylva, Kitty Dekeersgieter, Mario DiFante, Sarah Hawks, Ann Martin and Marea Tully. 

Participation was strong in the Rising Star of the Year Competition, with 55 novice and intermediate groomers entering 91 dogs, compared to 56 groomers entering 77 dogs in 2008.

Jennifer Hecker of Whiskers Resort & Pet Spa (Ionia, Mich.), who groomed a Dandie Dinmont terrier, was named Intergroom’s Rising Star of the Year. She won $1,000 from PetSmart and a rosette.

Each contestant also received a personalized certificate of participation and a commemorative rosette.

The Extreme Makeover event, in its fifth year, pitted 16 groomers against wildly overgrown dog coats.

Irina Pinkusevich of the Merryfield School of Pet Grooming (Hallandale, Fla.) took first place with a miniature poodle. She won $1,500 from PetSmart plus a $500 complete Red Clipper kit from Aesculup (Center Valley, Pa.).

The Creative Challenge returned for a second year, allowing individuals, salons or teams of stylists just 90 minutes to transform an already-groomed dog into a work of art, including props and staging.

For the second year in a row, Angela Kumpe of Angela’s Grooming (Little Rock, Ark.) won the competition. This year, she did an Oriental theme and won $1,500 from Wag’n Tails Mobile Grooming Conversions (Granger, Ind.).

Following tradition, Cardinal Laboratories Inc. (Azusa, Calif.) presented the 21st Annual Crystal Grooming Achievement Awards during the gala banquet:

• 2008 American Groomer of the Year: Veronica Frosch, for her wins in the ring (including the Triple Crown title), her selection to represent GroomTeam USA in Germany, and her consistent improvement and competitiveness.
• 2008 Grooming Contest Judge of the Year: Christina Pawlosky, for her expert knowledge, fairness and compassion for every competitor whose work she evaluates.
• 2008 Congeniality Award: Sue Zecco, for her kindness, sincerity and ambassadorship for the profession.
• 2008 Grooming Journalist of the Year: Missi Salzberg, a frequent contributor to Grooming Business, for being a great teacher and helping groomers succeed.
• The David G. Salzberg Award for Individual Contribution to the Industry: Christina Pawlosky, for creating and organizing the Rescue Rodeo Dog Grooming Contest held at SuperZoo 2008 in Las Vegas.

The 2008 International Groomer Award, not presented at Intergroom, went to Mirjam v.d. Bosch, from Holland, for her wins in the United States and Europe, her courtesy, sportsmanship and education of groomers in Holland.

Intergroom 2010 will take place April 15-18, 2010, at the Meadowlands Convention Center in Secaucus, N.J. The site change will allow show organizers to reformat parts of the convention, DeFilippo said. For details, contact Intergroom at 781-326-3376 or visit www.intergroom.com. [July 2009 PET AGE]