Special Events
Best In Show Awards
Saturday Evening
First, it’s an elegant dinner and overall a grand occasion with some of the finest cuisine that the Hershey Lodge chefs can offer.
After dinner, the GroomOlympics Best in Show awards will take center stage. The big bucks will be given away as 5 groomers, from the five classes who competed on Friday and Saturday, strut their stuff. The winners will be chosen by the judging panel, and one GroomOlympics World Champion will be crowned.
Abstract Creative Runway
Saturday evening showcased the beauty in simplicity. The Abstract Creative Runway featured beautifully sculpted designs that use minimal color, focusing on craftsmanship that is doable in a typical salon day.
Sponsored by
Internet Mingle
Hosts: Jameson & Milena Kon
Thursday Evening 7 - 10pm
It’s great that everyone gets to know each other on social media, but this is a great opportunity to get to meet them in person!
Come check it out, and invite all your groomer friends to come along. Those that have attended our mingles before, knows how much fun they are! There will be food, drinks, and plenty of raffles and interactive games. Hope to see you guys there! Let’s mingle and let’s have fun!!!
Brunch & Luncheon Events
Our signature meal events are a great time to get to know pet professionals from across the globe in a relaxed setting—no eating on the run!
Requires VIP or Deluxe admission for entry.
2025 Awards Ceremony
Barkleigh Honors Awards
The "Oscars of the Grooming Industry." This formal ceremony celebrates excellence in our field, honoring the best in grooming, social media, and industry leadership. It’s an elegant night of recognition and community pride.
Joyzze & Kenchii Clipper Challenge
A dynamic competition designed for groomers of all experience levels to showcase their speed and precision. This event highlights the best in clipper skills using industry-leading tools.
Slipper Saturday
A beloved Groom Expo tradition! Ditch the work boots and join us in your most comfortable (or most outrageous) slippers. It’s a day of relaxed fun while navigating the trade show floor and seminars.
Rescue Round-Up Invitational
The culmination of a year's worth of rescue competitions from across the country. While the grooming talent is world-class, the real winners are the dogs—nearly every dog featured has successfully found a forever home through this event.
Sponsored by PetEdge
Creative Styling Contest
The highlight of the Expo. Stylists transform dogs into living works of art. Beyond the main prize, the People's Choice Award winner is featured on the cover of Groomer to Groomer magazine.
Contest Grooming Tables for Sale
Looking for a deal? At the end of the show, high-quality contest grooming tables from our sponsors are available for purchase at a significant discount.
Opening Night Party
From themed masquerade balls to high-energy dance parties, the Friday Night event in the Nigerian Room is where the industry comes together to kick off the weekend.
Silent Auction
Running Friday through Sunday, proceeds benefit local rescues. Join us Sunday at 5:00 PM for the fast-paced Show Close Auction to snag unclaimed items and booth donations!
Playnight at Puppy Playground
Friday Evening 7:00pm
More than 80,000 dogs have participated on the Playground. The systems that have evolved are focused on safety and promote owner responsibility. We invite you to come see what we do. Learn why we do it, and how you can too!
Barkleigh Honors After Party
After the prestigious awards ceremony, attendees headed to the Cocoa Terrace Room for "One Hit Wonder Karaoke." It was an unforgettable night of music, refreshments, and industry networking that lasted well into the midnight hour.
