The “Get French Kissed Here” kissing booth at AKC/Eukanuba Meet The Breeds is open for business. Ripley and Betsy Ross join Ann Register, eagerly awaiting their first customers of the day.
Orlando, Florida – December 17 & 18, 2011
Submitted by Helene Neer, FBDCA Member
Everything about the Eukanuba Championships is big. Starting with Orlando – replete with every imaginable fantasy attraction; with miles of streets lined with hotels and restaurants from 5-star to fleabag. And, then there is the multi-building, seven million square foot Orange County Convention Center complex that includes more than 2,000,000 sq. ft. of exhibition space where the events were held. More than 4,000 dogs competed in conformation, performance, and exhibition events at the highest levels of competition possible in the fancy. Thousands of owners, handlers, breeders, vendors, and spectators gathered to share the Eukanuba experience.
Orange County Convention Center looms large over famous International Drive in the heart of Orlando’s area of major attractions.
French Bulldogs competed well in conformation, companion events, and in the Meet The Breeds competition – our display earned a 4th place in the Non-Sporting Group. This was no small feat as many of the booths displayed “sets” worthy of the most creative Hollywood or Broadway designers. Notable were the Old English Sheepdog Hogwarts display straight out of Harry Potter novels, an African safari was on display at the Rhodesian Ridgeback booth, an Arabian oasis with representatives in full costume for the Salukis, and over at the Anatolian booth – lonely shepherds tended full-sized sheep figures under a starry sky.
When the event began at 10 AM on Saturday morning, word-of-mouth spread quickly throughout the area, alerting visitors about a fun activity over at the French Bulldog display – a Frenchie kissing booth! At times visitors were three or four deep, waiting to pet and kiss the Frenchies on duty. And, true to their nature, the French Bulldogs were happy to oblige.
Eager crowds build around the Frenchie Kissing Booth.
This booth activity gave us the perfect opportunity to speak “Frenchie” with visitors who asked multiple questions about the breed. Those with no experience with the French Bulldog breed were anxious to learn about health, temperament, longevity, ability to get along with pets and people (especially children), availability of puppies, and average price to acquire a puppy.
Those who already owned or knew French Bulldogs personally, wanted to share their amazing experiences about the dogs they knew or owned.
Sign at the entrance to the French Bulldog booth.
Meet the Breed booths were located at the front of the West building, with either 10″ × 10″ or 10″ × 20″ dimensions. The larger spaces were generally granted to larger breeds, but because of the popularity of the French Bulldog, and the anticipated large crowds, we were granted the larger size space. Fortunately, we had an excellent location, near the front entrance and food court, in a very light and bright section of the building. The theme of our display was The All Around Frenchie – Usually, But Not Always Just Your Average ‘Couch Potato.’
The AKC provided a royal blue backdrop with the name of the breed, and one or two (depending on the size of the booth) long tables with white tops and royal blue drapes for each breed. The rest was up to the creativity and individuality of the exhibitor. And, although our kissing booth was pink,
(borrowed from FBDCA club member Christina Smith and her Luv-A-Bull All Breed Rescue, Inc.), the main colors of our display were red, white, and blue – not coincidentally, the national and flag colors of England, France, and the United States; the countries which are so materially linked to the origin, development, and success of the French Bulldog. For extra brightness and glamour, extensive use of tinsel and strings of lights were added to the booth.
The story of the French Bulldog was told in a series of photo boards:
- Early Frenchies in History
- Puppies
- Champions
- Best in Show
- Frenchies In Action
– Play
– Performance
– Service
- Frenchie Faces
– Faces
– Family
– Friends
- Frogs Are Clowns
- Rescue
- Celebrities (And Their Frenchies)
- Frenchies Around The World
- Note-A-Bull
– Soren (agility)
– Charlie Brown (stud dog)
– Obsession (conformation)
- It’s A Head Breed
Additionally, there were displays explaining the Brachycephalic syndrome (health issues related to flat-faced dogs); as well as the stories of the amazing talking dog and “Olive” the cleft palate puppy (now age six) that was saved as a puppy and went on to alert the family to a serious fire in their home. We had laminated books illustrating the French Bulldog Standard and How to Find a Reputable Breeder on display. There were free hand-outs from the FBDCA and the wonderful booklet French Bulldogs: The Basic Course was on sale, as well.
Finally, several French Bulldog statuettes were on display, a lighted Eiffel Tower, a continuous French Bulldog video played, and of course; the oversized stuffed frogs in their bright yellow chairs were on hand to answer the all important question: “Why A Frog?”
In summary, the Meet The Breed Experience was positive for those who participated and for those who visited. There is no doubt the French Bulldog was presented to the public in a most positive light, and that this show venue provided an excellent opportunity to showcase our beloved breed. Thanks to those who contributed to this event and gave of their time and resources to make this possible.
Sponsors:
French Bull Dog Fanciers of Mid-Florida, French Bull Dog Club Of America, Catherine Crislip, Becky Smith, Helene Neer
Helpers:
Christina Smith, Pam Loeb, Marian Hulick, Bill Etz, Ann Register, Doreen Horky, Fran Prince, Alyssa Payson, Dr. Tanya Krusko
In The Booth:
Ann Register, Doreen Horky, Michelle Lewis, Teresa Morrison, Patsy La Ponsey, Soile Jarvenpaa, Roger Asper, Debra Rochlin, Deborah Lipster, Nancy Shaw, The Fabulous Frenchies
And, to all who contributed those amazing photos for the boards!
This article dedicated to the memory of my precious “Ripley,” gone way too soon. – Helene Neer
