GF Sports And American Kennel Club to Take America’s Largest Dog Breed Showcase, AKC Meet The Breeds, On Tour

Following 11th Successful Year in New York City, Event to Travel Nationwide in 2020

Initial Tour Dates Added in Philadelphia on June 6-7 and Nashville on September 26-27

GF Sports, a live events and sports media entertainment company, and The American Kennel Club (AKC), the leading purebred dog registry and governing body of canine sports in the United States, announced today a joint venture to take AKC Meet the Breeds®, America’s largest dog breed educational showcase, on tour beginning this year.

The 11th annual AKC Meet the Breeds® in New York City was held earlier this month, in conjunction with AKC National Breed Club volunteers, and saw thousands of people filling Jacob K. Javits Center during the two-day educational showcase. With this new agreement between GF Sports and AKC, in 2020 three additional new cities will host the two-day AKC Meet the Breeds® event. Showcases have already been booked in Philadelphia on June 6 – 7 at The Greater Philadelphia Expo Center and Nashville on September 26 – 27 at Music City Center. Ticket on-sale information for Philadelphia and Nashville will be released in the coming months, visit akc.org/meetthebreeds for up to date information on all AKC Meet the Breeds® events. GF Sports senior executive Shawn Tilger is overseeing booking for AKC Meet the Breeds®.

From Afghan Hounds to the Yorkshire Terriers and everything in between, AKC Meet the Breeds® gives pet lovers the unique opportunity to meet and play with more than 160 different dog breeds in booths individually decorated to depict each breed’s country of origin, historical purpose/function, and attributes as a family pet, all while learning about responsible pet ownership and which breeds may be right for them. Now, in its 11th year, it has become a part of the fabric of New York City, welcoming thousands of pet lovers each year.

“The American Kennel Club has built an incredibly fun, engaging and educational event for animal lovers and families with AKC Meet the Breeds®. After 11 successful years in New York City, we are thrilled to be working with AKC to provide our expertise in touring, event production and sales to help take this event on the road to fans across the United States,” said Gary Fuhrman, Managing Partner at GF Capital and Board Member of GF Sports. “This is an exciting time of growth for GF Sports and we are very happy to be adding AKC Meet the Breeds® to our growing collection of premier live sports and entertainment properties and events.”

“This venture marks an exciting new chapter for the AKC Meet The Breeds®,” said Dennis Sprung, President and CEO of the American Kennel Club. “We are excited to work with GF Sports to bring this educational extravaganza to different cities and continuing to educate people about finding the right breed to fit their lifestyle, as well as ways to be responsible about pet ownership.We thank our National Breed clubs, their knowledgeable volunteers and quality dogs.”

The relationship with AKC helps further diversify GF Sports portfolio of live sports and entertainment properties and events. With a focus on elevating experiences, GF Sports’ executive team has expansive experience overseeing industry leading brands and properties and utilizes that expertise in supporting and growing the company’s portfolio businesses. In December 2018, the National Lacrosse League awarded the New Yorkfranchise to GF Sports; the New York Riptide is currently playing its inaugural season. GF Sports also has ownership stake in ATP World Tour tournaments the New York Open and BB&T Atlanta Open, and the Wolf Pack Ninja properties, which produces ninja events globally.

For 135 years, the American Kennel Club has been the country’s leading authority on all things dogs, acting as the premier resource for dog lovers, from the fancier to the everyday owner. Along with its affiliated organizations, AKC encourages dogs as family companions; advances canine health and well-being; advocates for dog owner rights; and educates the public about responsible dog ownership.

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Posted by chesliepickett on Jan 30 2020. Filed under The Buzz. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. Both comments and pings are currently closed.