NDGAA's Carolina GroomFest 2008

National Dog Groomers Association of America’s 7th Carolina Groom Fest ran May 30th thru June 1st, 2008 at a new venue: the lovely Radisson Hotel in Columbia, SC. Groomers from all over descended on this hotel for a weekend of education, grooming competitions, certification testing and a trade show full of exhibitors not to be missed. “Southern Hospitality” was the motto of this hotel and its staff as they apprehensively watched their facilities be overrun with professional pet stylists and lots of canine friends.

Friday’s seminar was Teri DiMarino’s popular “Ready, Set, Go! Prep-Bathe-Dry.” Her comprehensive all-day seminar emphasized safety and efficiency from the bathing area to the groom room. Teri guided this fun and informative seminar through an average day in a busy salon, with focus on techniques & tips to help increase income plus save time. Friday evening was the ever-so-popular “Oster Career Start” contest - a fun event for new, first-time groomers with less than a year in grooming under their belts. This year’s 1st Place went to Karla Bergman, Nanhall Academy - Greensburg, SC; 2nd Place was won by Emily Rupe, Geneva, FL; and Angelina Adams, Fido’s Premier Pet Salon - Jacksonville, NC placed 3rd. All contestants were winners in Oster’s eyes and each received a nice starter kit of products just for entering.

Saturday’s trade show opened with fur flying as all kinds of terriers were being clipped & stripped with Show Season’s Terrier Tournament in progress. Our new Grand Ballroom accommodated not only more exhibitors but a larger competition ring. Also, many new exhibitors joined this new venue for NDGAA’s weekend in Columbia, SC. Once again, Kenic/Glo-Mar Products supplied all attendees with free shopping bags to fill and free water bottles for the weekend of education, shopping and fun.

Saturday’s classroom lectures began with renowned Danelle German presenting “Cat Grooming in a Nutshell.” Mr. Chuck Floyd presented his “Dematting Without Damaging Coat” demo showing how to develop a dematting program without stress. Back by popular demand -- Jay Scruggs & Sue Zecco, NCMG presented their “Subtle Changes…Outstanding Results class.” This was designed by Jay & Sue to show not only the strong point achieved on a competition dog but how a few slight changes can make a difference of perhaps a placement. Always well-attended, this class was repeated on Sunday afternoon. Mr. Michael Lamb presented his class on “Prep, Primp & Present,” sharing his winning show ring experiences with all.

Throughout the weekend, several exhibitor booths offered mini demos not only at the Wahl booth but the Oster Academy. “Mixed Breed Cuties;” “What is Under That Coat?;” “The Un-Poodle Side 1 & 2” were samples. Although brief, these demos are designed to educate and share knowledge & technique.

As the day’s three tournaments ended, the winners came out smiling as they accomplished their goals. First Place Winners in the Show Season All Terrier competition were: Div C/Marilyn Wainwright, Perfect Paw Mobile-Barnegat, NJ; Div B/Wendy Delrie, Bark Ave Pet Lodge of Tyler, TX and Div A/Komako Tanaka, Koko’s Paws of Nashville, TN. First Place Winners in the Precision Sharp All Other Purebreeds Tournament were: Div C/Christine Millikin, Bow Wow Btq-Tampa, FL; Div B/Wendy Delrie, Bark Ave Pet Lodge-Tyler, TX and Div A/Olga Zabelinskaya, Grooming Gallery- Morris Plains, NJ.

Saturday’s final competition was Groomer’s Helper Sporting Tournament. Hillery Rogers, NCMG, Hounds Hair-Ponte Verde Beach FL won 1st in Div C. Sandra Phillips, NCMG, Sophisticuts-Glen Allen, VA took 1st in Div B and Greta Dalrymple, Top Knotch Grooming-Niles, MI won 1st place in Div A.

Saturday’s evening was once again fun-filled. Activities started with our popular personal time reserved for ourselves and for fellowship at “Grooming Tools for Eternity – Dematting the Soul.” NDGAA’s head certifier, Peggy Harris NCMG presented a mini workshop packed with those wanting the correct knowledge to begin or continue their journey in testing to become a National Certified Master Groomer. Testing followed on Monday with a lot of participants. Free pizza and sodas were aplenty for attendees of the workshop.

Yes, there was another fun party Saturday night with DJ Pierre, a cash bar, and hot & cold hors d’oeurves. Laughter and fun was had by all who joined in this annual party presented by National.

Sunday’s show opened with the Andis Poodle Tournament, and Poodles of all sizes and colors were diligently being styled by a fully packed ring of competitors. Division C was our shining division this weekend, as almost half of all participants in this division were new to the competition ring. Bravely, most had smiles and all remained breathing through each competition. Several awards of merit were given in the contests and most of them went to shining stars in Div C who deserved special recognition for their efforts.

When the Andis Poodle Tournament was finished, the judges found real challenges in choosing placement in each division because the work was so consistently outstanding. Division C was won by Marilyn Wainwright, Perfect Paw Mobile-Barnegat, NJ. Division B was won by Wendy Delrie, Bark Ave Pet Lodge-Tyler TX and Div A 1st Place to Lindsey Berry, NCMG of Wag n’ Splash-Longwood, FL.

With this new, larger venue for the Groom Fest, our Grand Ballroom also hosted many new first- time exhibitors. The weekend proved fruitful for the attendees as they packed their free shopping bags offered by Kenic/GloMar Co. Many exhibitors also offered free drawings for services and products, plus a lot of discounted introductory sample packs were sold. Many attendees took advantage of all the scissors and thinners offered throughout the ballroom, realizing it was the prime time to try out their new investments.

Ms. Annette Quick started the day’s classroom lectures with “Snap-On Combs.” She showed how the correct use of these aids saves time and effort - and reduced scissoring time. “Skin & Coat Care – Toy Breeds” was presented by Chuck Floyd. He explained the correct care for the skin and coat of toy breeds. Ms. Delise Knight was our special luncheon speaker. The topic was “Community Service….It’s Not As Boring As You Think” and we quickly realized nothing this lady does is anything less than hilarious. The day finalized with “Subtle Changes…Outstanding Results” by Sue Zecco & Jay Scruggs.

As the grooming competitions ended it was time for the “Liz Paul Best Scissored Poodle Award.” Ms. Lindsey Berry, NCMG, Wag n’ Splash-Longwood FL captured this prestigious award.

Div C BAAG, sponsored by Groomers Helper was won by Marilyn Wainwright, Perfect Paw Mobile-Barnegat, NJ. Div B BAAG, sponsored by the Wahl Clipper Co was won by Wendy Delrie, Bark Ave Pet Lodge-Tyler, TX. Div A BAAG went to Komako Tanaka, KoKo’s Paws-Nashville TN and was sponsored by NDGAA, Inc.

In Div C, sponsored by Groomers Helper, Zavius Williams, A Cut Above- Albany, GA took 1st place with the Best Groomed Dog and Div B’s Best Groomed Dog, sponsored by the Wahl Clipper Co was won by Wendy Delrie, Bark Ave Pet Lodge, Tyler TX.

Best in Show, sponsored by Gibson Governor Insurance Co., was won by Greta Dalrymple, Top Knotch Grooming-Niles MI. NICE JOB AND WELL DONE by all the weekend’s competitors!

In addition, we need to thank each and every sponsor for their continued support and sponsorship of the Groom Fest’s competitions. National’s now-famous “Door Prize” was won by one of our own members: Gina Sutton, K-9 Design Studios in Grovetown, GA. Gina excitedly received $500 CASH from Jeff Reynolds just for coming to the 7th “Carolina Groom Fest.”

As the weekend came to a close, GROOM TEAM USA held their popular auction. One more time, Mr. Chuck Simon, Groomer’s Helper, donated his time as auctioneer and proved this final event of the show fruitful for GROOM TEAM.

WHEW! What a fun weekend! Much was learned, knowledge shared, all grooming competitions were incredible. Exhibitors were abundant with many new faces as attendees shopped and shopped. Much fun was had by all who joined in. Start planning for Fall - NDGAA’s “Fun In The Sun” at our new Florida venue in Orlando will be October 24th thru 26th. See You There!