Elevating the Craft:
Groom Curriculum Brings Workforce-Aligned Education to Superzoo 2026
For professional pet groomers, salon owners, and industry leaders, there is no gathering quite like Superzoo. Hosted by the World Pet Association (WPA), it represents the ultimate hub for innovation, trends, and community in the pet care world. The Groom Curriculum team represented by President and Founder Sierra Elbert, Director of Operations Rachel Colant, and Sales Lead Colin Montag, headed to Las Vegas with a clear mission. Make new connections with industry professionals, meet with old friends, and showcase the power of structured, credential-backed dog grooming education.
Giving Back: Elevating Standards Through On-Stage Education
At the core of Groom Curriculum is a deep commitment to giving back to the grooming community through high-quality, accessible education. Superzoo provided the perfect stage for Sierra and Rachel to share their expertise with eager learners and experienced professionals looking to master their craft.
Throughout the week, Sierra and Rachel hosted a series of highly attended educational sessions:
- Best Practices for Your Grooming Business: Rachel and Sierra teamed up to deliver actionable business insights, helping salon owners move away from chaotic, unstandardized training and build more profitable, efficient operations.
- The Efficient Groomer & Grooming Efficiency Mastery: Rachel took the stage to share time-saving, sustainable techniques designed to help groomers increase their productivity on the floor without burning out or sacrificing safety.
- Choose Your Star! & The Dandie Doodle: Sierra led deep-dives into pattern lines, industry terminology, and creative styling, demonstrating how structured standards can turn daily styling into a true, respected craft.
In an industry historically reliant on informal mentoring, these sessions proved that structured training built around AKC Core Grooming Standards is the key to salon safety, consistent quality, and long-term career growth.
Forging Powerful Industry Connections
Superzoo is not just about learning, it is about the meaningful connections that drive the pet industry forward. Throughout the show, the Groom Curriculum team met with forward-thinking employers and innovative business owners who are eager to stop chasing staff and start building structured, high-capacity teams.
A major highlight of the event was connecting with the team from Pet Resort Hospitality, including Jason Duffy, Samantha Hillmer, Chase Jackson, and Breann Aragon. Discussions focused on their current implementation of Groom Curriculum’s Registered Apprenticeship Program (RAP).
The team also spent time with Kristen Risby, an innovative leader from Skiptown. As the pet care landscape shifts, connecting with fellow innovators who value standards-based education is critical to aligning professional credentials with modern consumer expectations.
