2013 Delegate Survey Results

Summit 2013 took place in Lake Louise, Alberta, Canada, from Wednesday, 16 October to Saturday, 19 October 2013. Delegates included thought leaders and stakeholders from Urban Municipalities across North America. 

The vision of the Summits for Urban Animal Strategies is to gather leaders who advance the state of the art and recast dilemmas into opportunities. The mission is to illuminate successful strategies for urban animals and to provide recognition for those who lead. 

The YourSAY™ Delegate Survey fielded November 25 to December 4, 2013. This survey captured respondent opinions related to Summit 2013 in the areas of Delegate Experience, Venue, the Innovation Showcase, the Facts and Evidence Sessions, the Friday Forum, the Summit Awards Gala, Ratings for Speakers, Program Directors, Production Staff, Entertainment and Summit Conversations. Respondents also provided comments for future improvements and enhancements to the Urban Animal Program. 

The YourSAY™ Delegate Survey for Summit 2013 invited seventy-nine attendees to participate. Fifteen respondents (19%) completed the Survey. 

Highlights of this YourSAY™ Survey: 

• Respondents were Satisfied (25%) or Very Satisfied (66%) with Summit 2013 
• Respondents were pleased with the quality of speakers: Satisfied (41%), Very Satisfied (50%); the Length of the Summit: Satisfied (50%), Very Satisfied (41%); and were Likely (16%) or Very Likely (75%)to recommend the Summit to others. 
• Respondents agreed (41%) or strongly agreed (58%) ‘The Pet Experience’ was a relevant theme for Summit 2013 up from 54% for the Summit 2012 theme ‘Animal Sourcing’. 
• A majority of respondents (75%) attending Summit 2013 had also attended Summit 2012. 
• All respondents (100%) agreed the Friday Forum developed important Urban Animal conversations. 
• Nine-tenths of respondents (90%) felt the Summit was inspiring and improved their industry relationships. 
• UrbanAnimal.com (75%) and the InfoStream Blog (67%) were the PetLynx media channels respondents most often used to learn about Summit 2013, while Twitter was used the least (25%). 
• Respondents commented that InfoStream was the most useful media channel for industry updates. 
• Nearly all respondents (86%) indicated Networking opportunities and an ability to contribute Industry Strategies/Tactics were the reasons they attended Summit 2013. 
• All respondents Agreed (38%) or Strongly Agreed (62%) the Innovation Showcase recognized innovation from the Regional Conferences and Agreed (38%) or Strongly Agreed (62%) the Innovation Showcase was an effective way of sharing innovation across the Urban Animal industry.
• Just under half of respondents (42%) attended two conversations: ‘What pet owners expect from their pet experience’; and, ‘Pet experience data collection’ during the Friday Forum. 
• Respondents indicated that ‘Engaging breeders as a fundamental part of the Pet Experience’; and, ‘Pet Experience Data Collection’ were conversations that should become National Initiatives like ‘Year of the Cat’. 
• More than one-quarter of respondents polled (27%) indicated their role in support of a National Initiative would be as an ‘Active Collaborator’. 
• Respondents rated the Pets Plus Us Awards Gala and Dinner at historical highs for Food Selection, Service Staff, Relationship Building and Sponsor Contribution. 
• Nine-tenths of respondents (91%) indicated the 2013 Summit Awards recognized outstanding achievement and all participants (100%) indicated the awards ceremony was conducted in a smooth and efficient manner. 
• The vast majority of respondents (91%) indicated the Summit Directors and Production team made very favorable contributions to Summit 2013. 

Demographics of Respondents to this Survey: 

• Gender: 67% Female, 33% Male 
• Age: 8% - 20-29 years old, 17% - 30-39 years old, 25% - 40-49 years old, 42% - 50-59 years old, 8% - 60 years and older 
• Industry: 27% - Humane & Rescue, 27% - Care & Control, 40% - Health & Wellness, 40% - Retail & Services, 40% - Pet Owner, 33% - Social and Community Services 
• Executive Level: 61% - Director, Shareholder, Owner/Manager, 13% - CLevel Executive, 13% - Senior Management, 13% - Other 

YourSAY™ public opinion polls are owned and Powered by PetLynx™. Copies of the complete survey report are available for a nominal cost. Contact Sheena.Neel@petlynxmail.com if you wish to procure a copy.