Pet Sitters International announces 2018 conference speakers, opens call for exhibitors

KING, N.C. - Feb. 14, 2018 - PRLog -- Pet Sitters International (PSI) has announced the speakers for its 2018 Pet Sitter World Educational Conference & Expo and is now opening the call for expo exhibitors. The largest conference for professional pet sitters—hosted by PSI—will be held at the Embassy Suites Myrtle Beach at Kingston Plantation in Myrtle Beach, S.C., from Sept. 9-12.

With the theme "The Power of Connection," the conference will kick off with speaker Patti J. Moran, PSI president and author of Pet Sitting for Profit, and will feature a mix of sessions and events designed to provide attendees with the skills and confidence they need to connect with other pet professionals, stand out in their communities and deal with specific pet issues they may face.

"The pet-sitting industry is facing a variety of changes and it's more important than ever before for professional pet sitters to join forces to elevate our profession," explained Beth Stultz, conference organizer and PSI's vice president of marketing and operations. "At this year's conference, pet sitters will come together to explore how improving their connection—with one another, their local communities, clients and pets—can have a positive impact on their businesses and our industry at large."

The 2018 agenda will cover a variety of topics—from building a brand and enhancing your pet-sitting business through social media to enrichment ideas for bonding with dogs and understanding pet body language. Attendees will also have the opportunity to complete the Heroes for Healthy Pets™ Infectious Disease Certification Program onsite.

2018 speakers include keynote speaker J. Nichole Smith, marketing consultant and branding expert, author, Dog is Good® co-founder, and creator of Working with Dog; Robin Bennett, a Certified Professional Dog Trainer, author, consultant and expert on dogs; and Dr. Bonnie Bragdon, DVM, MS, a veterinary professional services manager for Merck Animal Health's US Companion Animal business. Pet Safety Crusader™ Denise Fleck, author and pet first aid and CPR instructor, and pet-industry marketing expert Mike Linville, owner of Black Dog Marketing, will hold workshops at the conference. Sessions will also be presented by Jane Harrell of 'cause Digital Marketing, Lauren Heath of Presidential Pet Care, David Pearsall of Business Insurers of the Carolinas, and Adina Silberstein of Queenie's Pets.

The complete agenda and speaker lineup can be viewed on the PSI website.

The conference will feature an expo with exhibitors who offer products and/or business solutions that could benefit professional pet-sitting or dog-walking business owners, their staff sitters or their pet-owning clients. A limited number of conference sponsorships are also available for companies interested in greater exposure at the conference.

PSI invites interested companies and individuals to visit www.petsit.com/2018exhibitor to access the exhibitor guide, which contains detailed information about the conference and guidelines for exhibitors, as well as available sponsorship opportunities. Interested companies can submit an online application to request booth space.

"The expo at our annual conference offers a unique opportunity for companies to expand their marketing presence in this influential niche services industry by showcasing their products and services to pet-care business owners," added Stultz.

PSI's annual conference, held in a different city each year, is designed to offer professional pet sitters face-to-face community-building opportunities, the latest in pet-sitting industry research, and informative sessions that highlight pet-sitter best business practices and share the most up-to-date pet-health and pet-care information. An annual conference highlight is the charity auction, where PSI members raise thousands of dollars for a worthy pet-related charity.

To learn more, visit www.petsit.com/conference.

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About Pet Sitters International

Founded in 1994 by Patti J. Moran, author of Pet Sitting for Profit, Pet Sitters International (PSI) is the world's largest educational association for professional pet sitters, with member pet-sitting businesses in the United States, Canada and more than 20 other countries. PSI members have access to the widest array of business services and educational resources available in the professional pet-sitting industry. PSI's Pet Sitter Locator is the largest online directory of professional pet sitters, and pet owners can visit petsit.com/locate to find local professional pet sitters.