FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE	CONTACT:
December 20, 2007	Bobby Christiansen (336) 379-9352

(GREENSBORO, NC…) The Dog Show Superintendents Association recently held their Annual meeting in New Orleans on December 13th. Numerous DSSA members were in attendance as well as Bobby Birdsong, Director of AKC Event Operations and Curt Curtis, AKC Assistant Vice-President Companion Events.

The following new officers were elected: Bobby Christiansen, President; Ginger Sleeper, Secretary/Treasurer; Jane Garvin, Executive Committee; and Dale Berkheimer, Executive Committee

New AKC initiatives and policies were discussed. These topics included PAL (formerly ILP) registration numbers, AKC assistance with a kennel club group in China, possible services for mixed breeds, implementation of new event/recording fees, Jr. Showmanship regulations, current statistics for AKC registrations and event entries, AKC governance of show secretaries, possible rule changes, duties of AKC Field Representatives, Rally judges and show schedules, rally move-ups, the superintendent initiated Star Dogs program to raise money for the AKC Canine Health Foundation, exploration of a new exhibitor mentoring program, eligibility of spay/neutered dogs in shows, and evening specialties.

The members were also informed of a new AKC web-based entry service for the March, 2008 AKC Agility National with plans to accept entries for all Agility events in the near future. The Association is exploring the implications and impact of this on the fancy and will be issuing a separate statement.

The Dog Show Superintendents Association was formed in 2002 to represent professional AKC licensed superintendents in all important matters impacting superintendents and the Dog Fancy. The Association offers its members an Association that is a fully organized group of Professional Superintendents that in many cases, can call upon more than 100 years of experience in offering services to the AKC, show giving clubs, and dog show exhibitors.