There was plenty of cheering, meowing, chirping, and woofing in Orlando, Florida this past March 23rd. The American Pet Products Association (APPA) and Pet Industry Distributors Association (PIDA) announced the winners of the 13th annual New Products Showcase Awards, revealed during Global Pet Expo’s “Best in Show” Awards ceremony, held at the Orange County Convention Center. The Best in Show, second and third place honors were awarded across nine product categories, including aquatic, bird, boutique, cat, dog, natural, reptile, point of purchase and small animal. The award winners are selected based on the voting results of international and domestic buyers attending Global Pet Expo.
“We are proud to recognize the winners of the 2023 New Products Showcase Awards,” said Celeste Powers, President of PIDA. “With more than 1,000 submissions for this year’s awards, voting was extremely competitive amongst some of the pet industry’s best, from newcomers to industry juggernauts. Congratulations to this year’s winners!”
The 45,000-square-foot New Products Showcase space on Global Pet Expo’s show floor recognizes the year’s best creative efforts in new products and point-of-purchase displays. Winners were announced during the pet industry’s premier event from the New Products Showcase “Spotlight Stage.” This year’s event was emceed by Sterling Davis, founder of the nonprofit TrapKing Humane Cat Solutions and social media influencer known as the “cat rapper,” and Nathan Kehn, content creator and social media influencer known as “Nathan the Cat Lady.”
“New Products Showcase is a bright spot amongst the many events offered at Global Pet Expo. It allows us to spotlight revolutionary new products within the industry that are truly reflective of the market. We continue to be impressed by the breadth and innovation displayed at the New Products Showcase,” said APPA President and CEO Peter Scott. “Being selected as a winner gives exhibitors added product visibility among all show attendees, including media and buyers, as well post-show promotional opportunities.”
The New Products Showcase features the latest products and designs hitting the market each year. Out of the more than 1,000 submissions received this year, the following were selected as winners by voters.
Aquatic
Best In Show: AquaSprouts Aquarium Garden, Pet Retail Direct Inc.
Second Place: Low Boy, Zoo Med
Third Place: Betta/Ornamental Shrimp Aquarium Starter Kits, SunnyWay (Oscar)
Bird
Best In Show: Happy Beaks Enhanced Interactive & Humanized Toys, A&E Cage Company LLC
Second Place: Manna Pro Superworm Swarm, Compana Pet Brands
Third Place: Foraging Fun Pack for Pet Birds, Lafeber-EmerAid
Boutique
Best in Show: Wigglin’ Snake, Ethical Products Inc./Fieldcrest Farms
Second Place: Cuppy Cake, Puppy Cake
Third Place: Strawberry Yak Cheese Chews for Dogs, Yak9 Dog Chews
Cat
Best in Show: LickiMat® Riser™, LickiMat
Second Place: Made by Nacho Digestive Support Turkey & Pumpkin, Made by Nacho
Third Place: PETJOA Kitty-Medi-Check, FutureBioWorksUSA Corp.
Dog
Best in Show: PetCakes Complete Baking Kit for Dogs, Lucky Paws Inc.
Second Place: Strawberry Yak Cheese Chews for Dogs, Yak9 Dog Chews
Third Place: Dr. Bob Goldstein’s Wisdom® Original 3-Part Blend, Earth Animal
Natural Pet
Best in Show: Bocce’s Bakery Food Toppers, Bocce’s Bakery
Second Place: Scented Soy Candle for Pet Odors, Project Sudz
Third Place: Roots – The Wolf, Adored Beast Apothecary
Point of Purchase
Best in Show: Birthdays Start Here Tray, Puppy Cake
Second Place: MOON RUNNER, Exotic Nutrition Pet Products
Third Place: PetPlate Gently Cooked Entrées Impulse Freezer, PetPlate
Reptile
Best in Show: Zylafen® for Reptiles, ZYMOX and Oratene by Pet King Brands
Second Place: Josh’s Frogs Dart Frog BioBedding (4 quart), Josh`s Frogs
Third Place: biOrb EARTH Vivarium, OASE Living Water
Small Animal
Best in Show: “NIBBLES” Pride Follow the Rainbow SA Collection, A&E Cage Company LLC
Second Place: Natural Behaviors® Foraging Pellets, FM Brown`s Sons Inc.
Third Place: The Halo, Happy Habitats
Global Pet Expo, the pet industry’s premier event, is presented by the American Pet Products Association (APPA) and Pet Industry Distributors Association (PIDA). The show features more than 1,000 exhibitors, 3,500 booths and over 3,000 new product launches annually. Each year, the event gathers 6,000+ pet product buyers from around the world. Global Pet Expo is open to independent retailers, distributors, mass-market buyers, media and other qualified professionals. For more information about the New Products Showcase Awards and Global Pet Expo, visit GlobalPetExpo.org.
The American Pet Products Association (APPA) is the leading trade association serving the interests of the pet products industry since 1958. APPA membership includes nearly 1,000 pet product manufacturers, their representatives, importers and livestock suppliers representing both large corporations and growing business enterprises. APPA’s mission is to promote, develop and advance pet ownership and the pet product industry and to provide the services necessary to help its members prosper. APPA is also proud to grow and support the industry through the following APPA Gives Back initiatives: Pets Add Life (PAL), the Human Animal Bond Research Institute (HABRI), Tony La Russa’s Animal Rescue Foundation (ARF) Pets and Vets Program, the Pet Industry Joint Advisory Council (PIJAC) and Pet Care Trust and Pets in the Classroom. Visit AmericanpPetProducts.org.
Pet Industry Distributors Association (PIDA) is the premier trade association representing the interests of pet product distributors since 1968. The mission of PIDA is to enhance the well-being of the wholesaler-distributor, to promote partnerships with their suppliers and customers and to work cooperatively with other organizations in fostering the human-companion animal bond. PIDA is also proud to grow and support the industry through the following initiatives: the Human Animal Bond Research Institute (HABRI), Pet Industry Joint Advisory Council (PIJAC) and Pet Care Trust and Pets in the Classroom. Visit PIDA.org.
Video by Darrell Scattergood
