Dear Colleagues, Staff, and Friends,
It’s that time again when the HVMA celebrates National Pet Week (May 3-9) with the sponsorship of the Hawaii Pet Expo on May 2 and 3, 2026. The association has hosted this FREE community event for the last 34 years. This event continues to draw large crowds ( over 10,000 in the weekend) and is one of the few events that welcome the attendance of pets.
This year the HVMA booth will contain exhibits on topics such as pet myths, heat stroke, and other veterinary issues. We will once again have our snack bar and “Ask-A-Vet” area. This year we will need 5 volunteers (vets and/or staff) to effectively man the booth. We also need volunteers to man our Make-N-Take It booth, Foodbank/Info booth, Pet Snack Bar, Photo and Fundraiser booths, show marshals, and greeters.
The Hawaii Pet Expo would not have been such a success all these years, without the volunteerism of veterinarians, staff, family, and friends. Volunteers work a 2 hour shift and receive an Expo t-shirt. Lunch will be included for those who participate in the 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. shift. We can never have too many volunteers! Please sign-up and also help to promote the event by posting the Expo fliers and discussing the event with your clients. Your association delegates will also call you to remind you.
Sincerely,
Lissa Kam, DVM
Chairperson
Hawaii Pet Expo
JOB DESCRIPTIONS
HVMA BOOTH
- Ask-A-Vet
- Answer questions and encourage public to enjoy the educational displays in the booth
GREETERS - Pass out programs, poop bags
- Aid in helping attendees with strollers, wheelchairs, etc. through turnstiles
- Smile
FOODBANK & INFO BOOTH - Be able to answer questions, direct venders and public to booth area
- Lost and found center
- Be able to find security, expo organizers
- Collection and packing of food donations
- Collection of monetary donations
- Coordinate volunteers (show where shirts are and their work areas)
MAKE & TAKE CRAFT BOOTH - Help kids and adult with crafts
- Encourage participation
SHOW MARSHALS - Walk around exhibition hall and outside to clean-up spills and accidents (take poop to outside dumpster)
- Mop areas where there has been accidents
- Make sure exhibition hall doors are closed
- Remind pet owners to keep dogs leashed or secured and have cats, birds and pocket pets in carriers for the safety of all pets involved
- Assist exhibitors with removal of trash and put in outside dumpster
- All cleaning supplies provided (poop bags, disinfectants, mops)
SNACK BAR - Help pet owners create snacks for pets
PHOTO BOOTH - Help public take their photos with props
FUNDRAISER BOOTH - Sell fundraiser merchandise
- Help purchasers decorate tote bags