Spring Canadian Pet Expo — TruNorth Grooming Show
Competition & Seminars
Registrations Open December 01, 2026
Mark your calendar — seats and competition entries go fast.
- Dates
- Friday March 26, 2027 Saturday March 27, 2027 Sunday March 28, 2027
- Times
- 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM
- Venue
- International Centre — Hall 4
- 6900 Airport Road FREE PARKING
About this event
The flagship East-Coast stop: full grooming-competition rings alongside a packed seminar schedule. Open to professional groomers and apprentices.
Sponsors
2026 Judging Panel — 2027 Lineup Announced Soon
Teri DiMarino
ICMG, NCMG, ISCCMS, CAH, PGC — Grooming Judge
An industry veteran, Teri has owned and operated successful salons and mobiles in Florida and California. An award-winning grooming contest competitor, Teri was a member of three GroomTeam USA Gold Medal teams and held the positions of GroomTeam USA Treasurer and Board Member. She is the recipient of multiple Barkleigh Honors and Cardinal Crystal Awards for Journalism, Judge, Groomer of the Year and Outstanding Contributions to the Industry, as well as the American Kennel Club's Leadership Award. Co-founder and President of the California Professional Pet Groomers Association, Inc., Teri is a popular speaker and judge at seminars and trade shows around the globe.
- ★Three-time GroomTeam USA Gold Medal team member
- ★Multiple Barkleigh Honors & Cardinal Crystal Awards
- ★AKC Leadership Award recipient
- ★Co-founder & President, California Professional Pet Groomers Assn.
Shannon Tupes
Certified Master Groomer — Grooming Judge
Shannon Tupes is a Certified Master Groomer with more than 25 years of active involvement in the pet industry, bringing depth across professional grooming, competitive presentation, education, and leadership. She is a respected member of Groom Team USA, where she currently serves as a Board Member, and is recognized internationally as a judge and speaker within the competitive grooming community. Shannon is also a Global Educator for Andis, sharing advanced techniques and professional standards with groomers around the world. She is known for fair, confident evaluations and her ability to recognize grooming that reflects technical accuracy, thoughtful finishing, and breed-appropriate presentation.
- ★25+ years in the professional pet industry
- ★Groom Team USA Board Member
- ★Global Educator for Andis
- ★International judge & speaker
Anne Francis
Certified Master Dog Groomer — Grooming Judge
Anne Francis is one of the most respected and sought-after grooming judges in the world, renowned for her exceptional skill, depth of knowledge, and influential voice within the global grooming community. An award-winning Certified Master Dog Groomer, Anne brings more than two decades of professional experience to the judging ring. A former member of GroomTeam USA, she is widely recognized as an educator, author, and international speaker. As a Global Educator she is especially known for advancing techniques focused on efficiency, precision, and low-stress handling — always prioritizing the dog's experience while elevating professional standards.
- ★Former GroomTeam USA member
- ★Award-winning Certified Master Dog Groomer
- ★International educator, author & speaker
- ★Global Educator — efficiency & low-stress handling
Marnie Matheson
Featured Judge — Educator & Groom Team Canada Alumna
With over 30 years of experience in the grooming industry, Marnie is a respected educator, mentor, and the driving force behind Pets Beautiful School of Styling — Canada's longest-running grooming school. Throughout her career she has balanced running a nationally recognized school with competing at the highest levels of professional grooming, earning multiple international awards across North America and Europe. Known for her keen eye, thoughtful approach, and deep industry knowledge, Marnie continues to be a trusted leader and influential voice in professional grooming education.
- ★30+ years in the professional grooming industry
- ★Founder & lead educator, Pets Beautiful School of Styling
- ★Three-time member of Groom Team Canada
- ★Multiple international awards across North America & Europe
Lorna Phillips
Grooming Judge — Groom Team Canada Founding Force
With over 36 years of experience, Lorna Phillips is one of Canada's most respected and accomplished professional dog groomers. She is the owner of Saskatoon's premier high-end grooming salon, which she has successfully operated for 25 years. Since 2007, Lorna has competed on the international stage, and in 2017 was a member of Groom Team Canada, competing in Belgium among the world's elite. In 2015, alongside other industry leaders, she helped found the national point system that became Groom Team Canada.
- ★36+ years as a professional dog groomer
- ★Groom Team Canada member, World Championships Belgium 2017
- ★Co-founder of the Groom Team Canada national point system
- ★Owner of Saskatoon's premier high-end grooming salon (25+ years)
Nancy Bryson
Master Groomer · Industry Pioneer · Brand Ambassador
With a career spanning over five decades, Nancy Bryson is a cornerstone of the Canadian grooming industry. Since beginning her journey in 1974, Nancy has been a tireless advocate for professional standards and continuing education, pioneering educational initiatives for groomers across Canada since the mid-1980s. A founding member and three-time past President of the Ontario Dog Groomers Association (ODGA), she also served as former 1st Vice President and 2nd President of Groom Team Canada. Undefeated across Terrier, Sporting, and Creative grooming categories at all competition levels, Nancy has been an esteemed judge since 1993. Today she serves as a Brand Ambassador and product development consultant for Wahl Canada and Opawz.
- ★50+ year grooming career — judging since 1993
- ★Founding member & 3x past President, ODGA
- ★Former 1st VP & 2nd President, Groom Team Canada
- ★Brand Ambassador for Wahl Canada & Opawz
Seminars
2027 seminars will open for booking once all presenters are confirmed. Check back soon!
Friday Apr 3
The Teddy Bear Head
with Wynne Wong
Bring on the Brachycephalic Breeds
with Teri DiMarino
Doodle Grooming with Snap-On Combs
with Anne Francis
Abstract Art — Elegant Design Through Form & Line
with Alyssa Kasiba
From Passion to Paycheck: The Business of Grooming
with Marnie Matheson
Scissoring Foundations: Control, Shape and Finish
with Wynne Wong
Conflict to Connection: Mastering Client Communication
with Shannon Tupes
Pet First Aid Certification
with St. John Ambulance
Beyond the Brush — Preventing Burnout in the Grooming Salon
with Mackensie Murphy
AI and Grooming Your Business: Tools for the Future
with Jordan Milgrom
Hand Stripping 101
with Jovi Wagner
OPAWZ — Introduction to Colour
with OPAWZ
Contest Prep Seminar
with Nadia Bongelli & Mackensie Murphy
Best in Show Bichons
with Lindsey Dicken
Grooming for Structure
with Jonathan David
30-Minute Poodle Spray-Up
with Allison Alexander — Leading Edge
Saturday Apr 4
Efficient Grooming: Maximize Style, Minimize Time
with Shannon Tupes
Schnauzer 101
with Lorna Phillips
Standing for Success
with Melissa Abbott
It's a Snap! Snap-On Combs to Simplify Your Everyday Grooming
with Anne Francis
Beautiful Bedlingtons
with Nadia Bongelli
Mastering the Soft-Coated Wheaten Terrier
with Marnie Matheson
Unlocking Excellence in Dog Grooming
with Michelle Skinner
Skin & Coat Level 1 — Sponsored by UKAL Canada
with Chantel Hunt
Creative Approaches to Everyday Grooming
with Victor Rosado
Flawless Finishes
with Jonathan David
Asian Fusion
with Wynne Wong
Creative Finishing Touches for the Holidays
with Nancy Bryson
Flawless Flow & Silhouette: American Cocker Spaniel Show Trim
with Mackensie Murphy
Modern Finishes — Master the Modern Trim
with Lindsay Dicken
Built to Last
with Nancy Bryson
Sunday Apr 5
Grooming the Geriatric Pet
with Teri DiMarino
Braiding and More
with Nancy Bryson
Wild at Heart — Fast Animal Prints
with Alyssa Kasiba
The Long-Legged Terrier Trim: The Salon Staple with Style
with Jovi Wagner
Favourite Things
with Lorna Phillips
Charge Your Worth
with Tanya Ellis
Stack It Like It's Hot — Presenting Your Dog to the Judge
with Monica Park
Mastering the Miniature Schnauzer
with Victor Rosado
Skin & Coat Level 2 — Sponsored by UKAL Canada
with Chantel Hunt
Faces — Expression, Balance & Detail
with Mackensie Murphy
Flawless Fusion
with Wynne Wong
Pet Nutrition: Fueling Health from the Inside Out
with The Kibble Coach
Event Passes
Single-day, multi-day, and spectator passes for the show floor. Check out all items at once with secure Stripe payment.
1 Day Open Unlimited Event Pass
Full single-day access — show floor, competition viewing, and seminar floor.
$185 CAD
2 Day Open Unlimited Event Pass
Both days — full access to the show floor and all open sessions.
$285 CAD
3 Day Open Unlimited Event Pass
All three days — full access to the show floor and all open sessions.
$425 CAD
Extra Event Wristband
Additional admission wristband for a guest or support person.
$25 CAD
Spectator Weekend Pass
General-admission entry to the show floor, both days.
$35 CAD
Prizes & Awards
Prize Money Schedule · Spring Canadian Pet Expo
TBC Prize Money
A competition that brings groomers together to grow, promote, network and achieve their goals — with a dedicated focus on elevating Entry and Intermediate competitors to the next level of Open class.
ENTRY DIVISION
Wire · Sporting · AOPB · Poodle · Freestyle
1st
TBC
Plus Ribbon
2nd
TBC
Plus Ribbon
3rd
TBC
INTERMEDIATE DIVISION
Wire · Sporting · AOPB · Poodle · Freestyle
1st
TBC
Plus Ribbon
2nd
TBC
Plus Ribbon
3rd
TBC
OPEN DIVISION
Wire · Sporting · AOPB · Poodle · Freestyle
1st
TBC
Plus Ribbon
2nd
TBC
Plus Ribbon
3rd
TBC
CREATIVE STYLING SHOWCASE
Open to all competitors
1st
TBC
Plus Ribbon
2nd
TBC
Plus Ribbon
3rd
TBC
MODEL DOG CATEGORIES
Purebred · Creative · Freestyle
1st
TBC
Plus Ribbon
Runner Up
TBC
EXTREME CREATIVE
Entry · Open
1st
TBC
Plus Ribbon
2nd
TBC
Plus Ribbon
3rd
TBC
BEST IN SHOW
Entry · Intermediate · Open
Entry
TBC
Plus Ribbon
Intermediate
TBC
Plus Ribbon
Open
TBC
Plus Ribbon
We've Got Your Tables Covered
Grooming tables provided on site for every competitor.
Tables
Two Sizes Available
Setup
All Provided On Site
Sponsored by Ukal Canada · Royal Canin · Amazon · Canadian Pet Expo
Know Your Venue
Get familiar with the venue before you arrive. Explore the floorplan and key areas — competition rings, seminar rooms, vendor hall, food, and rest zones — so you can make the most of your time between seminars and competitions.
Hotels & Accommodations
Travelling in for the show? Find hotels near International Centre — Hall 4. We're working on partner rates — check back soon or search nearby options below.