FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE	CONTACT:
December 12, 2008	Bob Christiansen (336) 379-9352

(GREENSBORO, NC...) The Dog Show Superintendents Association's (DSSA) annual meeting was held December 3, 2008 at the American Kennel Club's new headquarters in Raleigh, NC. The following members were present: DSSA President Bob Christianson, Dorie Crowe and Fred Lyman from MB-F; Kenneth Sleeper and DSSA Secretary/Treasurer Ginger Sleeper, from Sleeper/Jones; DSSA Executive Committee member Tim James from Onofrio; Sheila Raymond from BaRay; Ed Smizer of Rau; past DSSA President Bob Peters from Bob Peters Dog Shows, and newly licensed Superintendent Foy Trent.

In attendance from the American Kennel Club were Bobby Birdsong; Robin Stansell from Dog Events; Charles Kniefel from IT; Curt Curtis from Obedience/Rally; AKC CEO John Lyons, Darrell Hayes, Sheila Goff and Andrea Jordon Lane from Public Education. Charles Kniefel took the Association members for a tour of AKC's new headquarters. Association members found the tour interesting and asked many questions.

A plaque was presented to Bob Peters in appreciation for his foresight in starting the DSSA organization and his several years' service as the association's President. Bob is now retiring from the superintending business. The Association recognized the passing of Dale Berkheimer of the Rau Organization, and what he brought to the sport as an individual.

Robin Stansell began AKC's portion of our meeting with Sheila Goff and Andrea Jordon Lane who brought us up-to-date on the very worthwhile mentoring program (which was brought to AKC by the DSSA), and AKC's Canine Experience Project.

Ron Menaker and Dennis Sprung joined us from the New York offices, in a very candid video conference that included a frank discussion on declining entries, other registries, and revenue problems. No problems were solved but the conversation gave insight to all and sparked several ideas for discussion. We then continued our meeting with the Raleigh staff regarding new Rules, changes to present Rules, proposed changes, new classes, new FSS breeds, etc., for Conformation, Obedience and Rally.

During the business portion of the DSSA Annual meeting, the following officers were elected for 2009: President, Bob Christianson from MB-F, Secretary/Treasurer, Jeff Inman, from Sleeper/Jones, and Ed Smizer, from the Rau organization, was elected to the Executive Committee for a period of three years.

Serious discussions took place regarding the state of the sport, declining registrations and entries, and possible solutions to the problems we all face. It is very evident that now is the time we all must work together for the sake of the sport.

Formed in 2002, the Dog Show Superintendents Association represents professional AKC licensed superintendents in all important matters impacting superintendents and the Dog Fancy. The DSSA 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.