FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE	CONTACT:
December 10, 2009	Bob Christiansen (336) 379-9352

(GREENSBORO, NC...)The Dog Show Superintendents Association's (DSSA) annual meeting was held December 2, 2009 at the American Kennel Club's headquarters in Raleigh, NC. The following members were present: DSSA President Bob Christiansen, Dorie Crowe and Fred Lyman from MB-F; Kenneth Sleeper from Sleeper/Jones; Terry James from Onofrio; Sheila Raymond, Sharon DelaBarre and Del DelaBarre from BaRay; Ed Smizer from Rau; past DSSA President Bob Peters retired from Bob Peters Dog Shows, Foy Trent from Foy Trent Dog Shows. In attendance from the American Kennel Club were Bobby Birdsong, Director Event Operations; Charles Kniefel, Chief Information Officer; Curt Curtis, Assistant VP - Companion Events; John Lyons, Chief Operating Officer; Darrell Hayes, VP - Judges; and Andrea Lane, Public Education; Mari-Beth O'Neill, Assistant VP Customer Service.

Bobby Birdsong conducted the AKC's portion of the agenda. Darrell Hayes gave an update on Field representatives and current initiatives. Charles Kniefel discussed data efficiencies and plans for future system enhancements. Dennis Sprung joined us from the New York offices via video conference that included a discussion on declining entries, other registries, and current economic problems. Andrea Lane gave an update on the new exhibitor mentoring program and discussed the challenges with screening and qualifying capable mentors. John Lyons and Dennis participated throughout the meeting adding input and answering questions. Curt Curtis discussed new Obedience initiatives and procedures for the participation of mixed breeds in AKC events. Mari-Beth O'Neill discussed Junior Showmanship and FSS initiatives. Rule changes/clarifications were discussed with both Curt Curtis and Bobby Birdsong.

We discussed ways in which DSSA and AKC could work together with more efficient and streamlined processes. There was a substantial portion of the meeting devoted to brainstorming dog shows in the future, attracting new registrations and exhibitors, and ways to improve dog show entries. For example, the possibility of having multiple conformation events in a single day was explored and the association will provide additional items to the AKC on this topic. We also explored allowing spayed/neutered dogs in competition after best of Breed. Restrictions to all breed events were also reviewed.

DSSA President, Bob Christiansen said, "These types of cooperative meetings between the Association and AKC benefit the fancy in many ways. Open, frank, and sometimes difficult discussions regarding the current problems are the catalyst needed to spark innovation. We are at a crossroad and future survival of dog shows depends on mutual initiatives from all areas of the sport."

During the business portion of the DSSA Annual meeting, the following officers were elected for 2010: President, Bob Christiansen from MB-F, Secretary/Treasurer, Sharon DelaBarre from BaRay Event Services, and Tim James from Onofrio was elected to the Executive Committee for a period of three years.

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.