summit
A Time to Revitalize, Re-energize and Rejuvenate Susan Nilson reports from PPG’s third annual summit which took place in
Orlando, Florida last November, highlighting PPG president Niki Tudge’s
opening address and Dr. Karen Overall’s keynote presentation
I
PPG president Niki Tudge (left) introduces keynote speaker, Dr. Karen Overall
n what has now become a well-oiled machine, PPG launched its third annual summit with trademark panache at the Sheraton Lake Buena Vista Hotel in Orlando, Florida at the end of November 2017. Hundreds of members and supporters, many accompanied by their dogs, arrived for an extended weekend of education, networking, fun – and shopping, courtesy of the expansive sponsor and vendor area which showcased a wealth of products ranging from books, educational and insurance products to leashes and harnesses, toys and accessories, clothing, essential oils, dog treats, smart feeding toys, and training gear. As is tradition, PPG president Niki Tudge kicked off proceedings, starting with a quick-fire round of questions for prizes to set the event’s customary friendly tone and encourage audience participation. In her official opening address, Tudge emphasized the importance of everyone in attendance getting a return on their investment, whether it be simply to revitalize and re-energize, be inspired with new ideas on how to implement new products and services into their businesses – to the benefit of both the business and its clients, increase their individual body of knowledge, get to know their peers and build their support networks, and go back to work “rejuvenated.” Tudge also briefly summarized PPG’s year, including the launch of the new PPG Scholarship Program, which handed out full scholarships for the first time, Project Trade, which “helps you start the conversation with a client that you might not be able to start the conversation with,” and the Pet Professional Accreditation Board (PPAB). Starting this month, Tudge said, PPG is to initiate a program where anyone holding a credential from another organization, that 10
BARKS from the Guild/January 2018
Overall delivered her trademark data-driven, science-based, informational address
has had the requisite knowledge and skills psychometrically tested and “hit the litmus test” in terms of credibility and ethics, can be grandfathered into the PPAB system. “This way you can say that ‘I have a credential that not only tests for knowledge, skills and ethics, but also stands up for what I believe in,’ because anyone carrying this credential is never going to use shock, prong or choke,” Tudge said. She also focused heavily on PPG’s recently launched advocacy program, the Shock-Free Coalition. “Part one [of the Shock-Free Coalition] was about creating tools and resources that you can use to help educate your clients that there is no place for shock in the training, management and care of our pets,” Tudge said. “That consists of a website, fabulous quotations from Dr. Karen Overall, Pat Miller, Jean Donaldson and all the superstars of our industry. We have developed lots of open letters to other associations asking them to take a stand and get shock off the mandate. There are open letters to county commissioners, to pet owners, and there are position statements. These are all tools you can use in your businesses. They will give you credibility. It’s that ‘white coat syndrome.’ “There’s also verbiage you can put on your website, there are logos, and a 45-slide PowerPoint presentation you can use to take into veterinary offices and schools to present academic information about shock, how does it work, what are the alternatives, how you can use the alternatives, and what the experts say, so it gives you some really nice blueprint documents to use. If you need additional tools, let us know and we will create them for you. We can create all these tools but now it’s up to you to pick up [the Shock-Free Coalition program] and run with it.”