Xiomara González-Govea to be Honored at Global Pet Expo 2015

National TV and Radio Journalist named the 2015 recipient of the prestigious annual “Excellence in Journalism and Outstanding Contributions to the Pet Industry Award.”

The American Pet Products Association (APPA) and Pet Industry Distributors Association (PIDA) are pleased to announce the multiple award-winning national television and radio journalist and animal advocate, Xiomara González-Govea, is the 2015 recipient of Global Pet Expo’s annual “Excellence in Journalism and Outstanding Contributions to the Pet Industry Award”.

González-Govea will personally accept the award Thursday, March 5, 2015 in Orlando, Florida at The Purina^® Media Reception at Global Pet Expo. This media-exclusive event is held in conjunction with Global Pet Expo, the pet industry’s largest annual tradeshow, taking place March 4 – 6, 2015 at the Orange County Convention Center. Global Pet Expo attendees include independent pet product retailers, distributors and mass-market buyers, media and other qualified individuals from the pet industry and is not open to the public.

González-Govea is a national television and radio journalist who specializes in animal related and human feature stories for Hispanic media in the United States. Her 19-year television career in the U.S. has included the two largest Hispanic television networks: Telemundo and Univision Networks. She worked as a recognizable face of show business, entertainment and a sidebar correspondent for national network programs including: Noticiero Telemundo, Noticiero Telemundo Internacional, Sin Fronteras and Mun2.

Since 2007, González-Govea has taken on new responsibilities at Univision Network, the leading Hispanic media conglomerate. She served as a pet correspondent host on Despierta America, the single highest rated morning show in Latin American television, and is currently the main face for all animal-related stories for the national daily news magazine shows, Primer Impacto and Noticias Univision. Her latest opportunity with the national network is also seen as part of Noticiero Univision and in the investigative reporting Sunday magazine show, Aquí y Ahora. She also hosts Animales360 con Xiomara, a weekly digital animal segment on Univision.com as part of the network’s news division. González-Govea’s journalistic talents combined with her acute animal knowledge have guided her to develop her own pet media concept, Animales360°™, a bilingual and multi-media platform targeting the nearly 55 million Hispanics in the United States.          

 “Xiomara works tirelessly to give pets a voice by using her journalistic talent and access to millions across the country to report on important issues in the industry,” said Bob Vetere, President and CEO of APPA. “Her passion for pets truly epitomizes what the award represents.”

González-Govea resides in Miami with her husband and rescued Beagle where she is actively involved in more than a half dozen national and international animal welfare organizations.                               

The annual “Excellence in Journalism and Outstanding Contributions to the Pet Industry Award” recognizes individuals in the media who have the power to influence millions of people and use this to positively promote the joys and benefits of pet ownership. Whether via print, broadcast or internet mediums, these distinguished members of the press produce stories that highlight responsible pet ownership and all the exciting services, products and activities that make spending time with our pets even more enjoyable. Past recipients include Connie Wilson Modern Dog and Modern Cat magazines), Sandy Robins (Today.com, MSNBC.com, Dog/Cat Fancy), Jill Rappaport, Victoria Stilwell, Rachael Ray, Ellen DeGeneres, Dr. Marty Becker (Good Morning America/Vetstreet/Dr. Oz Show), Steve Dale (My Pet World/The Pet Minute), Gina Spadafori (author/Pet Connection) and Janice Brown (The Tails Pet Media Group).