What would happen if everyone involved in the sport invited someone they know to a dog event? What would happen if every exhibitor invited a neighbor to a dog show? What would happen if every breeder invited a coworker to a puppy party? What would happen if every club member invited an acquaintance from the dog park to a meeting? What would happen if every dog groomer, boarding kennel operator, and small business owner invited a customer to a Coursing Ability Test or Agility Trial? Heck, make it an open invitation to all customers and throw a tailgate party! In the current climate of declining entries and aging memberships, it can be helpful to remember that many longtime participants in the sport got their start through an informal invitation extended by someone they knew, or by chance through a notice in the local newspaper. Unfortunately, chance encounters can no longer support dog clubs in desperate need of new members and more entries. What is needed instead are invites that successfully get people who love dogs “in the door.” At that point, the dogs will simply work their magic. They always do. So, extend an invitation and watch what happens. In the words of one first-time attendee at last year’s National Dog Show, “I didn’t know I would have so much fun!”