More than 200 German shepherds from around the world sniffed out Bridgeport earlier this month for the 2013 North American Sieger Show.
It”™s not the first time Fairfield County has been host to the event. But it was the first time the Connecticut Convention & Sports Bureau (CTCSB) helped plan the event, making it a more “pawsitive” experience for the event”™s local coordinator, John Henkel.
“They were such a valuable resource for helping us put this together,” Henkel said. “They were always receptive to every question we had no matter how large or trivial.”
Henkel, who runs a New Milford German Shepherd kennel, hosted the competition in Danbury in 2006 and 2007 with the help of city officials. But this year, with the help of the CTCSB, planning the event went much faster and smoother. It opened the doors to Bridgeport and Henkel found a receptive audience for vendors; state Sen. Michael McLachlan of Danbury also signed on with support.
“They were incredible,” Henkel said. “I hope to make Connecticut and Fairfield County a regular stop for the event. I hope to see it rotate back here every three to four years.”
Formed just over a year ago, the primary function of the CTCSB is to recruit national conventions, meetings and sporting events to Connecticut as a way to boost tourism and fill the state”™s hotels, stores and restaurants. The group features a sales team that actively works with planners to select event venues, hotels and entertainment, depending on the event”™s size and budget. The bureau is funded by membership dues and also in part by a $1.3 million investment from the state out of its $15 million tourism-marketing budget.
The competition was held for three days earlier this month in Bridgeport”™s Beardsley Park, while the Trumbull Marriott Merritt Parkway hotel served as a home base for competitors, trainers and visitors. Roughly 3,000 spectators attended.
“It”™s really the ultimate event,” Henkel said. “It”™s a pleasure to bring it to the New England area to allow folks to see the best dogs around North America and Europe.”
Competitors traveled to the event from as far as Germany and China to show their dogs. The breed is classically used by law enforcement, search and rescue, the military and as guide dogs for the disabled.
During competitions, the dogs are judged by their structure, movement, performance and the quality of their offspring.
Henkel said he was pleased to announce his family was named the No. 1 breeder in North America at the show, a title they”™ve had six of the last seven years. A family tradition for the last 50 years, Henkel said his family breeds about 10 litters a year.
“Bringing the competition here opens up a lot of opportunities for our kennel,” Henkel said. “It”™s a wonderful breed.”
“It”™s a wonderful breed”
