IPDGA Newsletter September 2018

MADRA MANIA 2018

Irelands Largest Grooming Event

This year the IPDGA hosts its 22nd Annual Grooming Event, Madra Mania. October 13thand 14th brings together groomers from all over Ireland and the UK to support and promote the grooming industry.


Shopping
Madra Mania is the largest grooming trade shopping event in Ireland. We have a large range of stands and suppliers in one venue for you to peruse and purchase.  With stands from Christies Direct, Mullinahone, Pet Greets and Fine Edge to name a few, make sure to bring your credit card! Not forgetting to have a look in your show catalogue, there are Puppy Punts, €5 discount from any stand at Madra Mania, one for Saturday and one for Sunday.   Arthur Bell and John Leonard will also be in attendance, so bring your sharpening too. Better yet send on your sharpening ahead of time and collect it at the event.
 
Mini Seminars and Grooming Demonstrations
There Is the opportunity to attend industry based seminars and world class grooming demonstrations. Each day we will have mini seminars running on topics such as T Touch and The Naughty Dog Handling and Safety. Our guest judges will also be demonstrating over the weekend. They will cover scissoring techniques, finish, handstripping and salon styles. Further details will be available soon. 

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Competition
This year the IPDGA are delighted to announce the judges for our Annual Grooming Championships. We are privileged to have renowned UK groomer and Bichon specialist Alison Rogers LCGI, Terrier expert Mich Dale and two of Irelands finest groomers, Justyna Romanowska and Jean Gregg LCGI.


​For the competitors among us, classes available include Scissor, Handstrip, Clipped, Asian Styling and Creative. We also host a New to Grooming Class specifically aimed at new groomers in the industry. A great step into the competition ring and a wonderful opportunity to gain valuable insight into current grooming standards from your judges.
 

 
With world class judges and great prizes it’s the perfect way to get a new burst of enthusiasm for our job again.
 
If competing isn’t your thing, you can watch the best groomers in Ireland battle it out for the Irish Groomer of the Year title.  At Madra Mania you will be kept busy communicating, networking and most importantly making new friendships in the grooming industry.
 
We hope to see you there.  Roadstone Sports Club, Kingswood Cross, Naas Road, Dublin.
 
For more details and tickets please visit https://www.ipdga.com/championships.html

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SPIRIT OF MARY TOLAND AWARD

Mary Toland was the key founding member of the IPDGA in 1996. Mary was elected Chairman in the beginning and held that position ever since until her untimely death at home 4th March 2016.  Mary was great at networking and made it her mission to bring the best of grooming talent to Ireland for seminars and workshops. Her contagious smile, great sense of humour and welcoming way was appreciated by all who met her.
 
“Be Delighted" was her motto and that she was. Delighted to see you, delighted to talk to you and delighted to welcome you to whatever you were attending with her. She was delighted to be at work, delighted to have time off and delighted to share with you the latest family news.
 

​Marys core belief was that the IPDGA was primarily an association for groomers. Where we could meet, chat, network and help each other out. One great big support group that makes us a cut above any other grooming association. It had a purpose to promote communication, networking and friendship between all our members.

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The Spirit of Mary Toland Award is a fitting memorial to help keep Mary in our hearts. We want to ensure that the important core value of our association isn't lost in the future generations. This award is for IPDGA members to nominate another IPDGA member for something they have done that has made a difference to you. It could be a little gesture like chatting at a seminar when you were feeling a little lost, offering a lift to an event, being a listening ear on the phone/facebook, or even helping you out by lending something – infinite scenarios – but something that made a difference for you. Someone who was just generous in spirit to you who made your day go a little better. Someone who has the spirit of Mary- funny, generous, friendly, chatty and is always delighted!

​The aim of The Spirit of Mary Toland Award will be to ensure that the friendships, networking and communication of the core values of the association are kept alive. Members will keep an open mind as to how they can make a fellow members experience better, make them feel better, do something nice , open your hearts and keep the spirit of Mary alive. A cyber hug, text or phone call now and then can just be that bit of support someone needs.
                                          
If you have someone you wish to nominate for this award please follow the link below.
 
https://www.ipdga.com/spirit-of-mary-toland.html
 
The nominations and the stories with them will be sent to Marys family: Pat, Rebecca, Sarah and Nicola for them to choose whom they feel deserves it for this year and it will be presented each October.
 
Closing date for nominations each year 30th September - Winner announced at our Championship Weekend in October