Introducing American Pet Professionals

Long Island Pet Professionals, LLC officially announces they are now a National organization—re-named and re-branded as
American Pet Professionals!

Long Island Pet Professionals (LIPP), the multiple-award winning networking group has officially launched nationally! The new website AmericanPetProfessionals.com rolled out in late September 2014, with it's current members transitioning their membership to the new site and new members already joining from around the country. With new features added to the website for members and non-members, user friendly functionality and members now having their own webpages within the site, American Pet Professionals offers the pet professional much more opportunity to network in-person, and online, than ever before. 

New features included are:

• First networking group to ever offer Lifetime Membership for the pet industry!
• Three-different levels of Membership to suit the needs of different pet professionals (Basic Annual, VIP Annual and Lifetime)
• New Pet Pro Blog
• In-Person Networking Events to be held across the country (Events have already been held in Chicago, Connecticut, New York City and of course Long Island.)
• Online Networking Events for Members and Non-Members
• Free Access for online events for VIP and Lifetime Members
• PR Requests for media seeking industry experts (Free for VIP and Lifetime levels)
• And much more coming in 2015!

Long Island Pet Professionals, was founded in February 2009 by Nancy E. Hassel, who was seeking better networking opportunities for the pet industry on Long Island.

"While attending networking events for nearly 10 years and speaking at one for Entrepreneurs about Public Relations – I never met like-minded individuals or peers in the pet industry.  I decided to host my first event in February 2009 just for LI pet professionals – and 55 people pet pros showed up – many of which are still members today.  We haven't slowed down since!" stated Nancy E. Hassel, Founder and President of American Pet Professionals. "I never dreamed I would be taking our organization to a national level, but nearly two years in, people from other states started joining and becoming members of LIPP.  It was surprising – but really no one was offering anything like what LIPP offered for all pet professionals.  We are not specific to any one part of the industry – and that is where there was a big gap and a need."

Members of American Pet Professionals are from all areas of the industry and country, and are a very diverse group of professionals. From members just starting out in their pet businesses to pet pros that have been in the industry for 20+ years, members range from: retail store-owners; dog trainers; veterinarians; pet photographers; leading manufacturing companies; marketing experts; leading corporate pet companies; and everything in between.

Hassel has hosted well over 100 in-person networking events for the pet industry, has been a speaker at top industry trade shows and events across the country in addition to attending as many industry events as possible.  She regularly interviews and works with top pet executives and pet organizations for her site, writes for Pet Age Magazine, Hamptons Pet Magazine and numerous local New York papers as a pet columnist or contributing writer and photographer for the industry. She also offers Public Relations services to pet professionals and companies, runs two pet blogs (one for consumers and one for pet industry professionals).

"Launching a national organization, new website and re-branding Long Island Pet Professionals to American Pet Professionals was a daunting (and dare I say fun) task! The new website is user friendly, offers our members much more access and functionality, opportunities for their pet businesses or animal rescue organizations. And there is so much more coming in 2015, I can nearly not contain my excitement!" said, Founder and President of American Pet Professionals, Nancy E. Hassel. "This was no small mission, as anyone who has ever launched any website or has re-branded would know – and it took about a year to accomplish.  Many of our members have been with us from the very beginning when Long Island Pet Professionals, LLC was formed in February of 2009 – and for that I am incredibly grateful.  The transition from Long Island Pet Professionals, LLC to American Pet Professionals was a completely organic one, and a needed one, due to the requests from pet pros in the industry. It's incredible."

The main goal of LIPP was always to unite pet professionals to work together, be educated, and grow as individuals; businesses and rescues; to build a stronger community; and have a place to go to meet peers. American Pet Professionals will continue that and bring it to an even higher level of professionalism.

Over the years, Hassel has watched pet professionals who have met at LIPP and APP events form businesses together, collaborate on projects, refer each other, help animal rescue members and has watched as their businesses have taken off.

"Joining Long Island Pet Professionals and attending events, has made a huge impact on myself and my company. It has taught me the value of networking with others in the industry and in a fun way too! I have made so many professional and personal contacts through Long Island Pet Professionals it's been incredible.  I am excited to be part of American Pet Professionals and be part of the growing community of pet professionals. Nancy does an amazing job of putting together events, including having relevant and interesting speakers at the meetings."
Robyn Elman, President of In Home Pet Services, Inc., Member Since 2010

"The work is so rewarding, touching, meaningful and fun – I mean it is the pet industry after all!  On a daily basis I am completely blown away by what our members are doing in the industry, creating, rescuing animals, working together – I can't wait to see how this takes off on a national level," said Nancy E. Hassel.

For more information visit AmericanPetProfessionals.com.