Learning opportunities abound at Petfood Forum, with keynote addresses, educational sessions and Tech Talks available on a variety of subjects important to pet food professionals.
Petfood Forum will convene pet food professionals April 27-29, 2026, in Kansas City, Missouri, U.S., offering educational sessions, networking opportunities and supplier exhibitions focused on processing, distribution, marketing and sales strategies.
The conference opens with Kevin Ryan, Ph.D., CEO of Malachite Strategy and Research, presenting "Next-gen premium: The consumer trends rewriting pet food innovation" on April 28. Ryan will examine how premiumization has evolved beyond price points and ingredient lists to encompass purpose, experience and cultural values, drawing parallels from human food, wellness, beauty and luxury retail sectors to provide actionable strategies for innovation pipelines.
Ryan Estis, bestselling author and former Fortune 500 chief revenue officer, will deliver the Wednesday Eye-Opener Session on April 29. 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.
The Petfood Forum exhibition floor is the perfect place to connect. In 2025, the event offered 385 exhibitors.Paul Ward PhotographyIn addition to keynote speakers, Petfood Forum includes dozens of educational sessions led by globally recognized experts with five breakout session tracks designed to help attendees strategize business opportunities and overcome challenges.
Participants can also obtain additional information and learning from the Student Program research presentations and supplier-led Tech Talks. Petfood Forum will also offer access to leading pet food industry suppliers in the large exhibit hall, with plenty of opportunities to connect during the opening reception, lunches and Women in Petfood Leadership networking events.
Petfood Forum's opening night reception is always a great place to connect with other pet food professionals.Paul Ward PhotographyPetfood Essentials addresses cost optimization, operational efficiency
The Petfood Essentials pre-conference seminar on April 27 will provide pet food and treat companies with practical strategies for controlling costs and streamlining operations during economic uncertainty.
The interactive seminar will cover macroeconomic outlook and market impacts, formulation optimization using software solutions, supply chain maximization including new ingredient sourcing, production facility setup for optimal efficiency, and packaging cost reduction strategies that maintain quality and branding integrity.
"Companies are looking to operate as efficiently as possible," said Debbie Phillips-Donaldson, editor-in-chief of Petfood Industry. "Or, they may be facing changes and difficulties that are forcing them to revise their business plans, even cut back — but they want to do so in a way that doesn't harm their businesses or brands long term."
One of the highlights of Petfood Forum is the adoptable puppies that come to visit.Paul Ward PhotographyExperts will suggest tools and technologies, including AI, to optimize formulations and supply chains and manufacture efficiently, whether independently or through co-manufacturing partnerships. An interactive exercise will help participants apply insights and develop actionable ideas for their own businesses.
The seminar aims to provide attendees with concrete ideas and options for streamlining operations while identifying cost-saving opportunities through optimized formulations, supply chains, packaging materials and associated expenses.
The Petfood Forum exhibition floor is the perfect place to connect. In 2025, the event offered 385 exhibitors.Paul Ward Photography
Petfood Forum's opening night reception is always a great place to connect with other pet food professionals.Paul Ward Photography
Petfood Forum's opening night reception is always a great place to connect with other pet food professionals.Paul Ward Photography
One of the highlights of Petfood Forum is the adoptable puppies that come to visit.Paul Ward Photography
