Inside the Success of a Successful Cluster

It’s no secret that dog shows are facing strong headwinds. Aside from a handful of major events, the overall picture is bleak.  Even traditionally popular breeds struggle to find majors, and exhibitors cannot count on even single-point entries at many shows. This sad state inevitably becomes a self-fulfilling prophecy. Exhibitors stop showing up, what’s the point?

This leads me to the recent New Jersey, Edison shows on March 19-22, which are somehow defying the odds. This year, the Staten Island Kennel Club joined Bronx and New Brunswick, adding up to four all-breed shows, augmented by 35 specialties, group shows, and numerous supported entries held each day.

Even the Thursday show, Staten Island, pulled an impressive entry of 1,144, which is remarkable at a time when many weekend shows fail to draw 800 dogs. That show ran concurrently with the Big Apple group show. This multiplicity of events virtually guarantees a turnout. Attributing low entries to Covid or the 2008 financial implosion is a fallacious excuse. Exhibitors need some assurance that they will not waste their time and money to show up with the lone class dog.

 The shows also featured an amazing number and variety of vendors, and keep in mind that the Raritan Convention Center is well off the beaten path, tucked into an industrial park. No one expected much of a spectator gate.  Even so, these vendors did great business. A big lure of this cluster has always been the availability of multiple mobile health-testing clinics. That convenience has also consistently guaranteed entries.

So, let’s break down this winning formula. Marjorie Martorella has chaired this cluster forever. She knows her way around show planning. Her first piece of advice is, “You need to be creative”. In recent years, that has resulted in unique events such as Saturday’s Bullyganza and Sunday afternoon’s debut of the Setter Extravaganza for all the Setter specialty winners. On top of that, there was the Supreme Specialty Challenge, a proven success.

But paying the bills requires more than non-regular enticements. “The person in charge of concessions did a phenomenal job. (That’s Judy Porrazzo). Many vendors made their rent on the first day.” Based on my informal Sunday afternoon poll, that was true.  “She managed to find so many new vendors; they were selling things that you wouldn’t expect to find at a show. One woman set up set up a table and chairs for children. She was selling her product for kids, but the kids were over there playing, coloring, and really enjoying themselves all weekend. She paid for her space, but it was so popular I think the club should have her back. I’m going to find someone to do face painting next year. It’s perfect for parents with young kids. Juniors no longer has that role, it has changed into something completely different, it’s no place for beginners.” And she emphasizes the importance of constantly tweaking the format. “This year, we moved the evening Best in Show to afternoon, and people really appreciated that. No one liked finishing up at 10:00 at night.”

Edison is a rare success story among today’s shows, but Marjorie is a realist. “It is so hard to find people willing to work for such a long show. During Covid, a lot of professional handlers began helping with our setup. They know how to lay out the grooming area, where to reserve spots. I thought, ‘This is great.’ But that stopped as soon as shows picked up. Most of our work is done by the same people who have been there for years, and I worry about who will take over when they go. We really need new members. I recently got three new people to join, and that required some effort. Clubs need to think about this and encourage new people before it’s too late.”

Clubs should give serious thought to her advice. Time is running out.

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Posted by Liz on Apr 27 2026. Filed under Current Articles, Featured. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. Both comments and pings are currently closed.