Wow, what a great event in Houston, TX this weekend at The Pet Care Business Seminar!  We met with pet care business owners from all over the U.S. and Canada.  The association that once banded us all together appears to be heading in the right direction.  It was a great turnout, and after speaking with so many pet care facility owners, the informal meeting of like-minded individuals is greatly missed in our industry.  This grassroots initiative to reunite our industry may have another great resource for Pet Care Business Owners.  The group is headed up by Carmen Rustenbeck, CEO of International Boarding and Pet Services Association.  The IBPSA membership base is growing everyday and seems to be the leading resource for Pet Boarding Industry information.  With more than 10,000 pet boarding facilities located in the U.S. alone, the pet boarding industry could benefit immensely from an organized member association.  An association provides a networking group that understands what others are going through.   Associations are also an Investment in the Future! They should provide value to their members.  This is why we join trade associations, right?!  The industry information mutually shared at events not only helps current members evolve and grow their business, but also helps new individuals emerge and succeed.  The meetings provide great opportunity to share best practices and find out about new and emerging opportunities.  If you are would like to organize an event that gathers Pet Boarding Facilities in your Region together, simply contact Carmen, carmen@ibpsa.com.  Its up to us to bring everyone back together and it starts with groups like The Region 9 Renegades in Mankato, MN.  They are currently holding an event right now!