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Thanks for your feedback from the recent groomer insurance survey. Your IPDGA Committee has been working behind the scenes with some of the leading groomer insurance companies in Ireland. We will be sharing the details with you soon here on your E-news blog. Make sure you check in for updates. 

Karina
Karina Kerrigan
IPDGA Chairperson

A big Thank You to all delegates who attended the 20th Anniversary Championships in October last year.  The committee put together a short survey following the event and circulated it to all delegates for your feedback.  Another Thank You to everyone who took the time to fill it out and return it.  
 
We do try to keep our fingers on the pulse of what you, the members , want to see or experience at a seminars. With the membership numbers hovering at the 300 mark now and with so many new members within the last two years it's good for the committee to check in and see if what we are experiencing is what you guys are experiencing.
 
As we went through each returned survey, in general, we found our findings were the same which is great. There were one or two questions or points made in the end section which I have singled out to address.  
 
Cost Issue for non IPDGA Members attending events
The first to catch my eye was a comment that it was expensive for non members to attend. What I will put forth is, that is a huge reason to be a member. You pay your membership each year therefore you available of reduced rates at our events. The non member could always join and avail of the members benefits.  Did you know that in to attend the October championships it actually works out cheaper to join and buy a member ticket especially for the 2 day ticket, although I should point out the championship and seminars are designed with your profession in mind and it’s not your average day pet expo.  These are professional events, for trade only and we try to keep the costs to a minimum. Equivalent professional trade events can cost as much as  €250 to attend per day. It's about taking our profession seriously even if we do love the hell out of it.  I also think its also fair to note the events are organised by your hard working committee members who organise these events in their own time.   
 
More Diverse Shopping options at events
The other comment I would like to focus on was a request for more shopping and different varieties including salon furniture. The committee did find some new and exciting stands last year.  Hopefully they will return this year.  In order for us to entice and bring on board more traders, stands and companies we need to make it worth their while, and to do this we need to put more shoppers at there stands.  As professionals our self we all understand the importance of getting the customers in the door.  So on that note and with almost 300 members we expect to see larger crowds attending events to support the stands and traders that have taken the time to attend. 
 
CPD (Continious Professional Development)
It is a condition of your membership to attend a seminar if not two a year. So why not make the event you decide to attend this year the biggest Irish Grooming Event the one you get to. It is the only event in Ireland where you have choice of suppliers and grooming equipment not to mention all the information that can be gained & learnt.   Keep an eye out on the e-news blog for more information on CPD coming your way in the next few weeks.
 
I would suggest that you now book the 14th and 15th of October 2017 off in your diary so that you have no excuse and are free to attend and avail of the shopping . Proudly tell your clients that you can't accommodate Fluffy that day, as you are attending a Professional Seminar, they will be impressed and amazed that you are dedicated enough to keep learning and improving your skills.  Use the time between now and October to put aside your tip money and treat your self at the championships.
 
Hopefully you will find the rest of the survey results interesting I know we did. 
 
Finally I would ask that if you have any groomer friends or colleagues who are not members that you encourage them to join us here at the IPDGA, together we can build a stronger support network.
 
Karina
Karina Kerrigan
IPDGA Chairperson