Networking is, arguably, the most important aspect of any trade show or conference, and Petfood Forum is no different. Each year, thousands of people come from all over the world to exhibit at or attend Forum, and nearly all of them have one thing in common (besides pet food, of course): they are there to network.

Pro tips for building a connection

If you are new to the industry, trying to make connections might seem daunting but Petfood Forum is designed to help you do just that.

From striking up a conversation with the person sitting next to you in a session to dedicated social events – opportunities to build relationships and make introductions are everywhere.

Embrace scheduled networking: Don’t skip the receptions, lunches or breakfasts! These are built-in opportunities to meet fellow attendees. Resist the urge to go back to your room or to a local restaurant – the halls will be packed with your peers.

View the agenda to see the schedule networking times.

Seek opportunities: Valuable connections can happen anywhere, anytime. Stay open to unexpected encounters and strike up conversations with people outside your planned interactions. You never know who you might meet!

Pre-event powerhouse: Before the event, leverage LinkedIn, the Petfood Forum app or email to reach out to existing contacts and schedule meetings. This is a great way to reconnect with vendors, clients and partners.

Spread the Word (and network!):  Share this Linkedin social media graphic (we’ve got you covered!) to let your network know you’ll be attending. This sparks pre-event connections and gets the ball rolling.

Follow up is key: Don’t let the connection fizzle out after the event! Send personalized emails or LinkedIn messages thanking new contacts for their time and expressing your interest in staying in touch. Remember, networking is a marathon, not a sprint – consistent communication fosters a strong professional community.

Schedule highlights: Networking at Petfood Forum

APRIL 27:

4:30-6:30 pm: Petfood Forum and Petfood Essentials opening reception, Kansas City Power & Light District

APRIL 28:

7:00-8:00 am: Breakfast, Room 2215

9:00 am – 6:00 pm: Exhibit hall open

9:15-9:45 am: Coffee break, Exhibit Hall C-E

12:15-1:30 pm: Lunch, Exhibit Hall C-E

2:35-3:10 pm: Coffee break, Exhibit Hall C-E

4:15-6:00pm: Exhibit hall happy hour, Exhibit Hall C-E

4:15-6:00 pm: Women in Petfood Leadership networking event during happy hour, Exhibit Hall C-E

4:30-5:30 pm: Student and industry research poster meet-and-greet, Future of Pet Food Pavilion, Aisle 3000

APRIL 29

7:15-8:15 am: Breakfast, Room 2215

9:00 am – 3:00 pm: Exhibit hall open

9:30-10:00 am: Coffee break, Exhibit Hall C-E

12:00-1:00 pm: Lunch, Exhibit Hall C-E

BONUS NETWORKING: Petfood Essentials is an interactive, informal educational pre-conference seminar, held the day before the opening of Petfood Forum. It’s filled with small-group networking and education.

A separate registration is required. Purchase the Petfood Forum 2-Day & Petfood Essentials Combo pass for the best value and the full educational package.

One of Petfood Forum’s primary draws is its educational sessions held throughout the trade show and conference each year. With multiple “tracks” available, the ability to attend sessions from more than one track, and the trends and data-focused keynote sessions and panel discussion, any Forum attendee is going to have a wealth of educational options at their fingertips.

Keynotes

Petfood Forum 2026’s opening keynote on April 28 will bring Kevin Ryan, Ph.D., CEO of Malachite Strategy and Research, to the stage.

is presentation, Next-gen premium: The consumer trends rewriting pet food innovation, will examine how premiumization has evolved beyond price points and ingredient lists to encompass purpose, experience and cultural values.  Ryan will explore how trends from human food, wellness, beauty and luxury retail are reshaping consumer expectations for pet products, offering actionable strategies for innovation pipelines heading into 2026. A perfect way to kickoff your 2-day educational experience!

On April 27, Ryan Estis, a bestselling author and former Fortune 500 chief revenue officer, will demonstrate how category-leading companies have aligned employees around common purposes to deliver exceptional experiences that serve as competitive differentiators.His presentation, The art of standing out: Leveraging remarkable experiences and experimentation to create brand evangelism, will address how personalization, AI-enabled automation and on-demand services are transforming customer expectations.

More to learn on the expo floor

After the opening keynote sessions are over, head to the expo hall to visit with suppliers or continue learning.

Petfood Tech Talks were among the most well-attended sessions in 2025, with many presentations at standing-room only. In 2026, we’ve expanded the program to add even more sessions providing you with maximum opportunities to see what’s next in pet food technologies. There are 24 sessions to choose from and they get started on Tuesday and Wednesday at 9:20 am. Stay and see them all or pick the ones most relevant to your job.

On Tuesday and Wednesday, you can access the latest academic research paving the way for the pet food industry. Students will begin their presentations at 9:45 am on April 28 and at 9:30 am on April 29.

Educational tracks focused on the market, ingredients and nutrition, technolgy and food safety and regulatory updates

After lunch, the learning continues. Petfood Forum 2026’s agenda includes four educational tracks taking place via four concurrent sessions each on the afternoon of April 28. If you are looking for specific knowledge in a single category (pet food market, ingredients, nutrition, sustainability, safety or technology ), you’re in luck! You can simply choose a room and settle in for the afternoon of education.

Concurrent sessions: Tuesday, April 28, 1:30-4:15 pm

• Today’s pet food market. The first section will explore how pet owners’ eating habits influence what they feed their pets, the AI marketing advantage and what’s next in cat trends, while the second section will dive deep into the future of pet food retailing with a panel discussion with the experts.
• Alternative and sustainable pet foods. This track explores how the pet food industry is innovating through flexible feeding formats, freeze-drying technologies, clean-label preservation, and sustainable ingredient sourcing—including upcycled materials and whole-animal utilization—to create higher-value, efficient and environmentally responsible pet food products that align with evolving consumer preferences.
• Pet food regulatory, safety and technology. This session track examines how regulatory changes, clean-label preservation strategies, oxidation control, digitalized auditing, and AI-driven analytics are reshaping pet food safety, product development, and business decision-making across global markets.
   
• Pet nutrition and ingredient research. This track explores emerging science and supply considerations shaping pet health nutrition, including microbiome and gut–brain axis innovations, botanical and postbiotic behavioral support, nutrient supply chain risks, and evolving insights into the nutritional needs of aging pets.

But maybe only a couple of sessions in a given track sound interesting, or maybe you want to focus on two different topics: say ingredients and safety. No problem; the sessions for each track fall into standardized time slots, so you can easily attend the 1:30 pm ingredients session, “Calming canines naturally: A gut-brain axis approach using a Lactobacillus postbiotic” and then sit in on the 2 pm safety session, “Natural antimicrobial strategies for fungal control and shelf-life extension in semi-moist kibble.”

Whatever your educational goal is at Petfood Forum, we have you covered! Check out the full agenda ahead of time to see what sessions are under each track.

Petfood Forum is the only ARPAS-credentialed event for eligible professionals in pet food. In 2026, ARPAS members receive 14 credits for attending Petfood Forum and 8 credits for attending Petfood Essentials.

Closing panel discussion: Hot topics

Stick around for the closing panel discussion on April 29 happening at 1:30 pm at the Tech Talk Stage. Join representatives (panelists to be announced) as they discuss the industry’s hottest topics, and answer your questions. It’s a session you won’t want to miss!

BONUS CONTENT: Petfood Essentials

Want a full day’s education on optimizing your pet food business? Check out Petfood Essentials. This interactive, informal educational pre-conference seminar, held the day before the opening of Petfood Forum, will provide practical tips and suggest tools and technologies, including AI, to control costs, streamline operations, optimize formulations and supply chains, and manufacture efficiently, whether on your own or through a co-manufacturer.

A separate registration is required. Purchase the Petfood Forum 2-Day & Petfood Essentials Combo pass for the best value and the full educational package.

Making the most of it

Whatever you want to hear about at Petfood Forum, odds are there’s a track or a session for you. From overall trends data to a focus on a specific emerging trend, you can find what you need and fit it into your busy convention schedule. Make sure to check the full schedule online ahead of time so you can hit the ground running on April 27. And once you’re at Forum, make use of the Guide available when you pick up your badge and the Petfood Forum 2026 mobile app, which gives you the ability to plan your day and set reminders so you don’t miss a session!

Petfood Forum is a global event, drawing pet food industry members from all over the world. Over three days, attendees can attend interactive pre-conference seminar, walk the trade show floor, sit in on educational sessions, and participate in several formal and informal networking opportunities.

For a first-time attendee, it can be overwhelming to decide just how to get the most out of such a multifaceted experience.

Getting started

Have you registered yet? If not, there are multiple options to ensure you get to experience everything you’re aiming for. Whether you want full access or are just visiting for a day to check things out, Petfood Forum has the right registration for you.

Among the options:

• Petfood Forum and Petfood Essentials Combo Pass: This is the complete package, giving you access to the full calendar of Forum and Essentials events.
• Petfood Forum 2-Day Pass: Can’t make it to Essentials? Get a pass to Forum alone, and gain access to all networking events, the trade show floor and educational sessions for the entirety of the conference.
• Petfood Essentials Only: If you’re on a tight schedule and want to participate in a day of interactive sessions focused on “Efficiency Unleashed: Optimizing Your Pet Food Business,” this one’s for you!
• Petfood Forum Day Pass: Choose a day and attend all the available education sessions, as well as having full access to the trade show floor.
• Petfood Forum Exhibit Hall-Only 2-Day Pass: If you aren’t interested in the educational sessions but would still like to hit the trade show floor, you can get this pass and spend a day of your choosing during the show interacting with more than 400 industry exhibitors, including suppliers, co-packers and service providers.
• Student 2-Day Pass: Interested in learning what the pet food industry is all about? If you’re a student, you can gain access to everything Petfood Forum has to offer, including all networking opportunities, speakers, educational sessions and the exhibit hall.

Once you’ve registered, you’ll need to turn your attention to logistics. After you secure your badge, you’ll have access to the hotel booking site where you can find discounted rates for Petfood Forum participants. Then plan for transportation, both getting to Kansas City and once you’re on the ground. Get travel tips here

Managing your time at Petfood Forum

Petfood Forum is an immersive mix of networking and education. If you want to do it all, it will take some planning to ensure you don’t miss out. For pre-planning purposes, the full agenda and a list of speakers are published, with a day-by-day breakout of sessions and a separate tab for the Petfood Essentials schedule.

Prior to the show, Petfood Forum will release a downloadable mobile App that includes the full show schedule, along with the option to create a customizable personal schedule to ensure you don’t miss anything.

Education for all skill sets and job functions

You’ll want to take particular note of keynotes and general sessions — they tend to be quite popular and if you want a good seat, it’s best to show up a few minutes early!

The conference will kick off on April 28 with an opening keynote by Kevin Ryan, Ph.D., CEO of Malachite Strategy and Research, who will explore how trends from human food, wellness, beauty and luxury retail are reshaping consumer expectations for pet products, offering actionable strategies for innovation pipelines heading into 2026.

On April 29, Ryan Estis, a bestselling author and former Fortune 500 chief revenue officer, will provide a fresh understanding of how putting your customer at the center of your growth strategy can profoundly impact your business.

The concurrent session tracks for 2026 will focus on the pet food market, alternative and sustainable pet foods, pet food regulatory, safety and technology, and pet nutrition and ingredient research.

If your interest is strongly in one of these categories, you can settle in the appropriate room and spend the day learning about the latest information and research on your chosen topic. But make sure you take a look at the sessions happening on each track, just in case — the timing of the sessions ensures that you can jump tracks as much as you’d like, sitting in on a nutrition session and then switching rooms to a technology talk if it catches your eye.

And be sure to stay until the end because the closing panel discussion is one not to be missed! Hear from industry experts as they discuss the hottest topics in pet food. This is a great opportunity to ask questions!

Navigating the expo hall

Trade Show Hours:

• Tuesday, April 28 | 9 am to 6 pm.
• Wednesday, April 29 | 9 am to 3 pm

Find everything you need, from ingredients that cater to the latest nutritional trends to packaging that will make your brand stand out. In the exhibit hall, you’ll see firsthand the most advanced resources for pet food ingredients, packaging, processing equipment, safety, quality and sanitation solutions, services and software, and testing available.

View the floor plan

Start by making a list of which companies are a must-visit! Pro tip: reach out to these companies ahead of Petfood Forum to introduce yourself and schedule a time to meet in their booth.

If you’re not sure where to begin, start in the first aisle (Aisle 500) and walk your way across the show floor ending in aisle 3000. Be sure to wear comfy shoes!

See what products and capabilities will give your brand the competitive advantage in the Tech Talk Stage. Petfood Tech Talks were among the most-well attended sessions in 2025, with many presentations at standing-room only. In 2026, we’ve expanded the program to add even more sessions providing attendees with maximum opportunities to see what’s next in pet food technologies.

And that’s just the start to all the things happening on the the show floor. You’ll also have the opportunity to meet with students who are conducting companion animal research, support pet charities, and network during an evening reception, coffee breaks and lunches.

Additional pre-show planning musts

• Set your goal(s) for your time at Petfood Forum. Is networking your primary aim? Take note of all the social opportunities Forum provides so you can make the most of them. Are you looking for education? Stay on top of the various session tracks and plan your time accordingly. Whatever your focus, having a goal will help you navigate the show in the most effective way possible.
• Set up appointments ahead of time. Petfood Forum provides plenty of networking opportunities in larger group settings, but both the convention center and the surrounding area of Kansas City’s Power & Light District also provide endless opportunities for smaller group or one-on-one meetings. Whether you prefer to do business over drinks, in a conference room or at a restaurant, your options are abundant. Pro tip: Download the Petfood Forum app in early April, send messages to other attendees and schedule meetings. 
• Plan some time for yourself. If it’s your first time at Petfood Forum, there’s something to be said for just taking it all in. Make sure you give yourself time to walk the trade show floor, enjoy a good meal at one of the many excellent restaurants in the surrounding area and wander the conference center layout. There’s a lot to see and do at both the show and in Kansas City — take advantage!

Petfood Forum is the premier global conference and exhibition focused on technologies utilized in the processing of pet foods and pet treats. Professionals from the entire pet food supply chain gather for three days to network, share knowledge, and discuss the latest trends, innovations and challenges in the industry.

“Being new to the industry, Petfood Forum was a great way to make needed new connections and also get a good understanding of what all goes into the production of pet food.” – Joe Mosley, Hank and Roy Pet Treats

Collaboration and Networking

The top reason attendees return year after year is to network and collaborate. From informal discussions over coffee to structured networking events, attendees have countless opportunities to connect with peers, forge partnerships, and build lasting relationships that extend beyond the event.

“Being able to meet people one-to-one at Petfood Forum to re-establish those relationships and network with new people, is one of the value-adds of being here.” – Dana Brooks, Pet Food Institute

A Focus on Education

Petfood Forum features many opportunities for industry professionals to expand their knowledge and sharpen their skill sets. The conference features 30+ speakers discussing the latest in pet food manufacturing, market trends, ingredient sourcing, nutrition, packaging, regulatory issues, safety and more.

The Petfood Tech Talk Stage showcases new products and capabilities from suppliers and innovators assisting pet food companies worldwide.

The Future of Petfood Pavilion includes a student program featuring academic pet food research conducted by graduate students from universities with studies focused on companion animal nutrition.

Petfood Essentials takes education to the next level. The pre-conference seminar dives deep into industry hot topics and takes place the day before Petfood Forum. In 2026, Petfood Essentials is focused on optimizing your pet food business

“Petfood Forum provides basic to in-depth knowledge necessary to be in the pet food business, all packed in an accessible and friendly environment. Overall, a great experience worth repeating.” – Nicole Esposito, Italian Paws

Whether you’re a seasoned veteran or a newcomer to the industry, there’s something for everyone to learn and explore.

Connecting Manufacturers with Suppliers

The industry’s top supplier companies are all in one place at Petfood Forum, helping you create quality pet food and treats. View the floor plan

Petfood Forum: A brief history

The internationally known show actually has humble roots, in an Illinois suburb outside of Chicago.

“Petfood Forum started in 1993 on River Road in Des Plaines, Illinois, as a small, 100 people/10 table top event,” said Steve Akins, executive vice president, global petfood & events for WATT Global Media. The show eventually outgrew its Des Plaines venue and moved to the Hyatt in Rosemont, Illinois, right next to O’Hare International Airport. Still growing, the show then relocated to Schaumburg, Illinois, where it remained for several years. But by 2014, Petfood Forum had outgrown its space yet again. The 2015 show debuted at its new and current home, the Kansas City Convention Center.

“The move to Kansas City doubled our attendance in 2015 and allowed many in the industry to actually drive to the event and get there much more easily,” said Akins. “Petfood Forum has grown as the industry has grown (largely due to humanization of pets as family members) — consumer desire to spend more on their companion animals which are now treated as more of a family member, as well as the number of new food and treat products introduced every year, has continued to grow, answering consumer demand.”

Discover emerging technologies, see future trends and meet the professionals that are shaping the pet food landscape at Petfood Forum. The Petfood Tech Talk Stage showcases the latest products and capabilities from suppliers and innovators assisting pet food companies worldwide.

Petfood Tech Talks were among the most well-attended sessions in 2025 with many presentations at standing-room only. In 2026, we’ve expanded the program to add even more sessions providing attendees with maximum opportunities to see what’s next in pet food technologies.

The 2026 Petfood Tech Talk Stage is sponsored by Symrise

Tuesday, April 28

9:20 a.m. | Trouw Nutrition | Presenter: Dr. Sofia Wilson, companion animal nutritionist
>> Blending premixes that perform: The four components of a well-designed premix — This presentation explores how ingredient blending impacts premix quality and outlines the four essential components of a well-designed premix. While formulators often focus on active ingredients, additional components are essential to achieving a uniform premix, as even small variations in premix composition can significantly affect performance and nutrient delivery in finished pet food.

9:35 a.m. | Datacor | Presenter: Annette Lundeen, senior manager, product management
>> Beyond least cost: Turning formulation into a decision driver — Managing formulas often gets stuck in a least-cost mindset, but real-world decisions are rarely that simple. Every formula change affects nutrition, claims, palatability, operations and manages business risk and bottom line financials all at the same time. In this session, we’ll look at how modern formulation tools help teams proactively evaluate trade-offs, test scenarios before making changes, and make assumptions clear so they can make smarter, data-decisions.

9:50 a.m. | Zinpro | Presenter: Laura Amundson Ph.D., research & discovery lead, global pet
>> Minerals and movement: Advancing canine mobility with performance minerals — Mobility is essential to a long, thriving life, and nutrition plays a vital role in sustaining healthy movement. Because declines in mobility can begin long before visible signs appear, foundational nutrition is important at every life stage. What if rethinking the form of an essential nutrient could help dogs move better, recover faster and stay active longer? Join this Tech Talk to see new research showing how Zinpro® Performance Minerals® supported improved mobility outcomes in healthy adult dogs after a structured exercise challenge and increased daily activity in senior dogs.

10:05 a.m. | Parker Freeze​ | Matt Graunke, executive sales representative
>> Commercial freeze drying in the pet food industry — This presentation provides a practical overview of freeze drying, from core fundamentals and key system components to the critical parameters that drive performance and product quality. We’ll explore why recipe development matters, how yield is influenced by process variables, and where freeze drying delivers the greatest advantages across applications. Real-world examples will connect theory to execution, helping you better understand how to optimize results from concept to scale.

10:20 a.m. | APC | Dr. Joy Campbell, senior director of global pet food technical service
>> Natural protein-based colorants: The role of spray dried animal blood cells in pet food — Natural protein–based colorants are gaining momentum. Spray-dried red cells deliver a rich, authentic meaty appearance while contributing protein value. This session will explore how manufacturers are leveraging red cells to meet clean-label expectations and enhance product visual appeal naturally.

10:35 a.m. | Coperion | Presenter: Jonathan O. Thorn, executive director, processing technology
>> Extruder hood designs that promote sanitary processes — Recent developments in extruder hood design are helping pet food manufacturers in their battle against microbial contamination. By reorienting the traditional vacuum takeaway system, a key process risk can be eliminated. In addition to improved product safety, plants can also gain improved process control through use of a sanitary extruder hood.

10:50 a.m. | Ecolab | Presenter: John H. Hanlin, PhD., vice president of food safety
>> Why dry matters: Strategies to prevent Salmonella proliferation in low-moisture pet food and treats — Salmonella is both a canine and human pathogen, and outbreaks of foodborne illness affecting pets and humans have been linked to dry dog food and pet treats. These outbreaks have resulted in product recalls. This presentation will focus on new research on the survival and recovery of Salmonella in dry environments. Cleaning and sanitizing strategies to reduce food safety risk will be discussed in light of new research.

11:05 a.m. | CEM Corporation & Certified Group | Presenters: Eileen Stochl, product manager, and Jay Alappat, Ph.D.,  chief science officer – chemistry
>> Sustainable solutions for compositional analysis — Ensure product quality while eliminating solvents and reducing test times. CEM’s easy-to-use analyzers provide reference chemistry accuracy for moisture, fat and ash in a fraction of the time traditionally required. From raw and incoming ingredients to in-process slurries and finished kibble, accurate analysis is just a start button away.

11:20 a.m. | Specialty Enzymes & Probiotics | Presenter: Dr. Abhijit Rathi, director of R&D, pet and human nutrition
>> Advancing canine oral care: Enzyme-probiotic formulation demonstrates antimicrobial and clinical benefits — Researchers evaluated Bactase Pet PB™, an enzyme-probiotic formulation for pet oral health, through in vitro testing and a 30-day randomized double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial in dogs. Results demonstrated significant reductions in plaque, gingivitis, bad breath and bacterial load, with strong anti-biofilm activity. The study provides microbiological and clinical evidence supporting enzyme-probiotic supplementation as an innovative, science-backed strategy to address periodontal disease and elevate health and wellness in companion animals.

11:35 a.m. | Stratum Nutrition | Presenter: Marie Parks, ingredient science specialist
>> Proactive pet health: A clinically validated oral probiotic for next-gen innovations — As pet owners shift toward preventative care, oral health is emerging as a high-impact innovation space. This session reviews the science behind OraCMU™, a patented probiotic shown to reduce key markers of halitosis and plaque in dogs. Attendees will gain insight into how microbiome-based oral care can drive product differentiation, premium positioning and long-term brand growth.

11:50 a.m. | Jefo Nutrition Inc. | Presenter: Emilie Fontaine, vice president of brand and products
>> Redefining stability and bioavailability: Jefo Matrix Microencapsulation revolution in pet food — Creating high-performance pet food is a balancing act, often compromised by aggressive minerals that degrade vitamins and limit bioavailability. This session introduces Jefo Matrix Technology, which uses advanced lipid engineering to physically isolate reactive ingredients, ensuring they survive the journey from the premix to the gut. Discover how to bridge the gap between economic efficiency and biological performance, making precision nutrition simpler and more predictable for you.

12:05 p.m. | Reiser | Presenter: Paul McKeithan, senior vice president of business development
>> Market trends shaping the future of pet food manufacturing — The pet product market is shifting from volume-driven to value-driven growth, as health-conscious consumers demand higher quality, transparency, sustainability, and convenience. Manufacturers must adopt flexible, agile technologies to meet evolving expectations. The move from traditional kibble to alternative and human-grade formats is reshaping retail shelf space, requiring producers to adapt processes and collaborate with suppliers to deliver customized solutions efficiently.

12:20 p.m. | Kemin Pet Food and Rendering | Presenter: Cristina Murcia Garcia-Sr., technical service manager
>> Designing the next generation of pet diets — The need for sustainable, functional and ethically-sourced ingredients are transforming the future of pet diets. This presentation will intertwine market insights, consumer perceptions, and real-world case studies that are shaping ingredient innovation and acceptance in the pet food industry.

Wednesday, April 29

9:20 a.m. | Phileo by Lesaffre | Presenter: Russ Kelley, global program manager, pet
>> Yeast extracts: Solutions for companion animals — Yeast extracts are natural ingredients that can offer an array of benefits to foods, treats, or supplements that target companion animals. Yeast extracts can be rich sources of essential nutrients or bioactive compounds as well providing unique flavor profiles. The exact benefit or combination of benefits are dependent upon strain, fermentation conditions, extraction processes, and post-extraction processes.

9:35 a.m. | Mérieux NutriSciences | Presenters: Alexandra Miller, global key account manager and Kris Newton, business development manager, expert partners
>> Teaching an old plant new tricks: Retrofitting for pathogen control — Most pet food facilities aren’t new builds, but that doesn’t mean they can’t be world-class in safety. We’ll discuss how to modernize your sanitary design without tearing down the walls.

9:50 a.m. | Kerry | Presenter: Ricardo Moreia, business development director-food protention
>> Freshness fetched: Delivering science-backed shelf-life extension for refrigerated pet food— Refrigerated pet food is on the rise, but so are the risks. Ricardo Moreira will present the fresh pet food solutions for total food protection, shelf life extension and pathogens control with clean label and kitchen-friendly ingredients, backed by predictive microbiology and real-world results.

10:05 a.m. | The Haskell Company | Presenter: Zary Peretz, senior analyst
>> Digital twins for line tuning and optimization in the pet food industry — Digital twins can create virtual environments that enable engineers to explore different improvement opportunities on existing and new lines. Haskell will share two recent uses of this technology to explain how simulation can support better decision-making and line performance improvements. Lessons learned and keys to success will be highlighted. 

10:20 a.m. | Alltech | Presenter: Kami Grandeen, technical manager, petfood
>> From bioavailability to benefits: A fresh look at proteinate trace minerals in pet diets — Research in dogs and cats has shown that the right form of trace minerals can promote vitamin stability, shelf life and palatability. Alltech’s Bioplex range of highly bioavailable proteinate trace minerals, are designed to optimize pet health by supporting nutrient absorption, immunity and overall wellness. Learn how Bioplex proteinates can boost your formula and your brand.

10:35 a.m. | BCF Life Sciences | Presenters: Ludovic Lair, pet care business unit leader and Pierrick Kersante, pet care R&D manager
>> Boosting cat wet food palatability with natural free amino acid solutions — Cats’ highly selective palates make wet food palatability notoriously difficult to optimize. Conventional systems often rely on amino acids and sugars for Maillard reactions—but that’s only part of the story. At BCF Life Sciences, we have developed naturally derived and balanced free L-amino acid mixes through extensive hydrolysis, shown to effectively stimulate feline umami receptors and significantly enhance palatability in wet cat food.

10:50 a.m. | Cargill | Presenter: Jess Jarett, R&D prinicipal scientist, pet
>> Postbiotics beyond the gut: Holistic benefits of TruMune in aging dogs — Postbiotics are well known for their positive effects on digestive health and immunity, but their benefits in other areas of pets’ well-being are just starting to be explored. We present new research results on holistic impacts of supplementation with TruMune in older pet dogs, in areas such as nighttime rest and occasional discomfort-related behaviors. We also demonstrate support for critical species in the gut microbiome including Peptoclostridium hiranonis in a real-world population of dogs.

11:05 a.m. | ProMach | Presenter: Troy Snader, senior vice president, secondary-business development
>> The sustainability shift: Rethinking films and oxidation in modern pet food — Market trends in pet food are increasingly challenging manufacturers to deliver fresher products while maintaining acceptable shelf life. At the same time, sustainability goals, consumer expectations and emerging state legislation are creating competing pressures that can feel difficult to reconcile. This presentation explores practical strategies to address oxidation through advances in machinery and film technology, helping producers balance performance, compliance and environmental responsibility.

11:20 a.m. | Eurofins Nutrition Analysis Center | Presenter: Kari Nichols, business development director
>> Analytical considerations for pet food — Pet Food Label Modernization has brought dietary fiber front and center within the pet food and ingredient industries. This Tech Talk will introduce the commonly used methods as well as discuss high-level thoughts on considerations for pet food testing specifically.

11:35 a.m. | Novonesis | Presenters: Marcial Guevara, global senior technical product manager – pet and Rebecaa Replogle, nutrition science lead
>> The emerging role of enzymes in pet food — Enzymes represent an exciting new frontier in pet food. While they are widely used in livestock feed, their adoption in pet nutrition is still in its early stages. This presentation will explore how enzymes have traditionally been used and highlight the untapped opportunities they offer to elevate product quality and support pet health across the pet food industry.

11:50 a.m. | Cambridge Technology | Presenter: Dr. Rajan Lukose
>> AI in action: Transforming pet food formulation, market intelligence and compliance — AI is redefining how pet food products are conceived, developed and commercialized. Learn how next-generation platforms are enabling smarter formulation, real-time market insights and seamless compliance across the product lifecycle.

The Petfood Tech Talk Stage is located in Aisle 600 on Exhibit Hall Floor. Companies will present for 10 minutes with 5 minutes for Q&A.

Don’t miss your chance to be among the first to hear about these emerging pet food products and capabilities!

About Petfood Forum

Pet food and treat manufacturers and brand owners count on Petfood Forum to anticipate supply chain and market changes through practical research and technology insights from vetted experts - and connecting with suppliers to turn those insights into action.

Petfood Forum places suppliers directly in front of industry decision-makers who are actively sourcing solutions. As the only event 100% focused on pet food and treat manufacturing, it enables ingredient, equipment, packaging, processing, and service providers to engage qualified buyers, demonstrate relevance, and build partnerships that move business forward.

Petfood Forum hosts the largest pet food supplier trade show in the industry with nearly 400 companies participating. But the expo floor isn’t just about booths, it’s a multifaceted experience. It’s where you’ll find the Future of Petfood Pavilion, Petfood Tech Talk Stage, Pet Charity Dog House, lunch, coffee breaks and Tuesday’s evening reception.

With a little planning ahead, you’ll find time to see it all! For pre-planning purposes, the full agenda is published, with a day-by-day breakout of sessions and expo hall activities.

Meet the suppliers

Find everything you need, from ingredients that cater to the latest nutritional trends to packaging that will make your brand stand out. In the exhibit hall, you’ll see firsthand the most advanced resources for pet food ingredients, packaging, processing equipment, safety, quality and sanitation solutions, services and software, and testing available.

Expo Hall Hours:

• Tuesday, April 28 | 9 am to 6 pm.
• Wednesday, April 29 | 9 am to 3 pm

Start by making a list of which companies are a must-visit! Pro tip: reach out to these companies ahead of Petfood Forum to introduce yourself and schedule a time to meet in their booth.

If you’re not sure where to begin, start in the first aisle (Aisle 500) and walk your way across the show floor ending in Aisle 3000. Be sure to wear comfy shoes!

View the floor plan

Petfood Tech Talk Stage

See what products and capabilities will give your brand the competitive advantage in the Tech Talk Stage. Petfood Tech Talks were among the most-well attended sessions in 2025 with many presentations at standing-room only. In 2026, we’ve expanded the program to add even more sessions providing attendees with maximum opportunities to see what’s next in pet food technologies.

Tech Talk Stage Hours:

• Tuesday, April 28 | 9:20 am to 12:35 pm
• Wednesday, April 29 | 9:20 to 12:05 am

There are 24 sessions to choose from covering a wide range of topics. Stay and see them all or pick the ones most relevant to your job.

Future of Petfood Pavilion

Meet the industry’s most promising young professionals in the Future of Petfood Pavilion. This dedicated space on the show floor hosts the Student Program featuring academic pet food research conducted by graduate students from various universities with studies focused on companion animal nutrition. Students will present non-commercial oral presentations and posters on relevant pet food-related research.

The student program is designed to give the industry a chance to see the latest in academic pet food research as well as gain access to those entering the industry in the next few years.

Future of Petfood Pavilion Hours:

• Tuesday, April 28 | 9:45 am to 12 pm
• Wednesday, April 29 | 9:30 to 11:45 am

If your company is looking for future hires, the Student Program has several opportunities for networking. 

Pet Charity Dog House

Give back to the pet community and take a minute to decompress while petting the puppies. Polk County Humane Society, along with students from Missouri State University, will be sharing their missions at the Pet Charity Dog House in Aisle 2100. And of course, there will be puppies!

PawsAbilities, and the young adults who work for them, will also be set up in the Pet Charity Dog House. Attendees can support their mission by purchasing their hand-crafted dog cookies while learning how they provide important skills training for people with disabilities in Kansas City.

Dog House Hours:

• Tuesday, April 28 | 9 am to 6 pm.
• Wednesday, April 29 | 9 am to 3 pm

Stop by to see the dogs and show your support!

Take a break and refuel

There is a lot of walking, talking and learning that happens at Petfood Forum. Be sure to refuel. There will be several coffee breaks, lunch and a networking reception happening on the show floor. So, grab a cup of coffee and strike up a conversation with other attendees.

View the full agenda to see when you can expect food and drinks to be available.

Returning in 2026, the First for Forum program offers pet food professionals who have never attended in the past a chance to attend the show at no cost.

First for Forum isn’t just about giving new professionals a chance to experience Petfood Forum. It’s about creating a space where industry veterans and newcomers can connect and collaborate. By fostering a diverse and inclusive environment, we can ensure the pet food industry continues to thrive.

First for Forum provides an incredible opportunity for up-and-coming talent to:

• Gain valuable industry insights from leading experts.
• Network with established professionals and build lasting connections.
• Discover the latest trends and innovations shaping the future of pet food.

Meet the 2026 Ambassadors: