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The Economic Benefits of AKC Dog Events

Exhibitor with her dog showing at the dog show.

Potential local economic impact of American Kennel Club dog events: MORE THAN $1.7 MILLION!

Chart showing 500 exhibitors spend $342,500, 1250 spend $856,250 and 2500 exhibitors spend $1,712,500 attending dog shows.

AKC dog events provide significant positive economic benefits to the host community:

  • Participants spend an average of $685 per event in communities hosting AKC dog events.
  • Local spending by participants in an AKC event can inject more than $1.7 million into the community.
  • Most participants travel more than 100 miles to get to AKC events and spend at least 2 - 3 nights in the communities where events are held. More than half bring traveling companions with them.
  • The AKC licenses and sanctions more that 22,000 events across the country every year, including dog shows, agility and obedience trials, performance events, and much more.
  • AKC dog events are hosted by more than 5,000 clubs, which are not-for-profit volunteer organizations.
  • Nationwide, AKC dog events have the potential to general more than $1.5 billion a year in local spending.

About the study:

Our goal was to identify spending in local communities by dog lovers who attend, participate in, and host American Kennel Club events. An online survey was sent to 84000 event participates: more that 14000 responded.

Chart showing individual spending distribution - local spending per event.

In addition to participant spending, communities benefit from spending by the event-giving club, which may include:

  • Lodging, Meals, and Transport for Event Officials and judges
  • Facility Rental, Fees, Permits
  • Rental Equipment, Tents, Chairs, Tables
  • On-site Security, EMT, Veterinarian
  • Local Vendors and Concessions
  • Catering
  • Flowers
  • Trophies
  • Advertising

MD show statistics 2016-2018

Economic Impact of AKC Dog Events in Maryland The American Kennel Club (AKC) was established in 1884 to promote the study, breeding, exhibiting, and advancement of purebred dogs. We now represent more than 5,000 dog clubs nationally, including 78 clubs in the state of Maryland.

The AKC sanctions thousands of dog events each year, which generate significant economic benefits to local communities in addition to the millions of dollars AKC dog owners in Maryland spend annually on their dogs.

Here are the statistics for the State of Maryland over the past three years:

2016: AKC licensed and sanctioned 439 events in the state of Maryland, in which more than 64,800 dogs participated.
2017: AKC licensed and sanctioned 489 events in the state of Maryland, in which more than 62,800 dogs participated.
2018: AKC licensed and sanctioned 551 events in the state of Maryland, in which more than 67,200 dogs participated.

The AKC conducts ongoing research regarding the economic impact of AKC events in localities throughout the state, as well as of AKC registered dogs in the state. Surveys demonstrate that exhibitors at AKC conformation dog shows spend an average of $685 per show weekend. This means spending by AKC dog show exhibitors for a show weekend could inject more than $1.7 million into the local economy. And because AKC dog shows are an educational and family-friendly event, large spectator gates can generate additional revenues for cities and towns statewide. For more information or information about the impact of dog shows in other states, visit the AKC Legislative Action Center (www.akcgr.org).