Petfood Forum, organized and hosted by WATT Global Media and Petfood Industry, is the pet food industry’s global conference and exhibition focused on research and technologies utilized in the development, formulation and processing of pet food and treats.

Petfood Forum is the pet food industry’s must-attend event for global networking and business, as well as for education on the latest research and trends in pet food manufacturing. Learn more about the history of Petfood Forum.

Currently, Petfood Forum features a three-day agenda and commences with the Petfood Essentials.

Petfood Forum is located in the heart of the Animal Health Corridor in Kansas City, Missouri, USA at the Kansas City Convention Center.

Kansas City Convention Center
301 West 13^th Street
Kansas City, MO 64105

2024: April 29-May 1
2025: April 28-30
2026: April 27-29

Petfood Forum attracts exhibitors from the pet food industry’s largest collection of companies that supply brand and private-label manufacturers with ingredient, additive and formulation solutions, processing and packaging equipment, flexible packaging solutions, co-packing solutions and services, and consulting and additional services, all in one location.

View the entire list of 2023 exhibitors, search by exhibitor name or by product category.

Petfood Forum includes dozens of educational sessions held throughout the trade show and conference each year. The educational sessions are focused primarily on market trends and data, nutrition, ingredients, packaging, and processing and food safety.

In 2023, Petfood Forum featured keynote speakers David Allison and Mary Kelly, a general sessions with a panel discussion, four concurrent sessions tracks, 12 tech talk presentations and a multiple oral and poster presentations given by select undergraduate, graduated and Ph.D. students, as well as industry researchers. Learn more about the agenda

Petfood Essentials is a one-day pre-conference seminar that takes place the day prior to the commencement of Petfood Forum.

Each year, the pre-conference seminar offers a new theme where experts share knowledge about the unique benefits and challenges of producing and marketing pet food or treats in key areas like nutrition, processing, packaging, distribution, retailing, safety and testing. Additionally, the pre-conference workshop provides unique networking opportunities. Learn more.

Yes, Petfood Forum is the only ARPAS-credentialed event for eligible professionals in pet food.

ARPAS members receive 9 credits for attending Petfood Forum and 6 credits for attending Petfood Essentials. The AAFCO seminar, co-located at Petfood Forum, qualifies for 3 credits. Additionally, Petfood Forum Europe qualifies for 5 credits.

Attendees include professionals working in pet food nutrition, ingredient and processing technologies, packaging, food science, R&D, product development, food safety, QA/QC, purchasing, import/export and regulatory compliance.

In 2023, Petfood Forum attracted a record attendance with more than 3700 pet food professionals from 42 countries and over 370 supplier companies. See a sample list of past attendees

Petfood Forum does not sell our attendee or exhibitor list. Any message making these claims is not affiliated with Petfood Forum, Petfood Industry or WATT Global Media, and does not contain information from Petfood Forum about its attendees and should be treated as spam.

View our solicitation policy

Petfood Forum is committed to sustainability! We’re excited to announce the launch of our new initiative designed to minimize the environmental impact of our event. Our mission is to contribute to a cleaner and healthier future for pets and our planet.

See how we are making a difference and view our sustainability mission

In 1992, Petfood Forum started as a small, 100-person and 10-tabletop event in Des Plaines, Illinois. 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, in Kansas City, in the heart of the Animal Health Corridor.

Yes, Petfood Forum, hosted in Kansas City, provides show visitors from all over the world with opportunities to network with industry peers, learn from leading pet food experts, visit with suppliers and transact business with one another on a global level. The 2019 edition of Petfood Forum attracted attendance from 38 countries including Australia, Brazil, China, France, Germany, Japan, Mexico, Thailand and many others.

Petfood Forum’s international events include: Petfood Forum Asia, Petfood Forum China and Petfood Forum Europe.

Petfood Forum is organized and hosted by Petfood Industry magazine. Petfood Industry has been the leading source of information for the global pet food manufacturing industry for more than 50 years, delivering insights and knowledge via a monthly magazine, website, e-newsletters and other media formats.

Both are owned by WATT Global Media, a full-service publishing and media company founded in 1917 that provides exceptional business content and solutions to the agribusiness industry. As an industry innovator, WATT Global Media has connected buyers and sellers in the poultry, pig, animal feed and pet food industries through its media channels for more than 100 years.

Petfood Forum’s international events include: Petfood Forum Asia, Petfood Forum China and Petfood Forum Europe.

The Kansas City Marriott Downtown is the host hotel for Petfood Forum, which is conveniently located 1 block away from the Kansas City Convention Center. Attendees receive special group discounts at the Marriott Downtown and Loews Kansas City Convention Center Hotel, based on availability.

Please refer to our Hotel and Travel section for more information on our suggested hotels and room block details and deadlines.

PLEASE BE AWARE: In order to appropriately and safely secure your hotel rooms, please only use the links provided on the Petfood Forum website to ensure you are booking within the official Petfood Forum room blocks. We do not affiliate with anyone that conducts telephone or email solicitations for booking hotels and do not recommend you arrange your hotel reservations with any of those groups.

All attendees are responsible for making their own lodging arrangements, the cost of which is not included in your registration fees.

Please refer to our Hotel and Travel section for more information on our suggested hotels and room block details and deadlines.

In order to ensure the best possible rate and room availability, each room reservation requires a two-night, non-refundable deposit upon reservation.

Kansas City, Missouri is centrally located in the heart of America. It is easily accessible by interstates and highways. Additionally, Kansas City International Airport (MCI) makes flying in and out for the conference and exhibition easy. Learn more at flykci.com.

Taxi and car services are available throughout the city. Taxi stands are located at all major hotels, shopping and entertainment districts.

Some hotels, including the headquarter hotel the Kansas City Marriott Downtown and Loews, are within walking distance of the Kansas City Convention Center. There is an underground tunnel into the Convention Center from inside the Barney Allis Plaza Garage. This garage is located directly across from the Little Theatre/Music Hall.

Discounted parking of $12/day at the Kansas City Convention Center is available to Petfood Forum attendees and exhibitors driving to Petfood Forum and Petfood Essentials.

In front of the Kansas City Marriott Downtown Hotel and directly across from the Little Theater/Music Hall, the Convention Center main parking lot is the Barney Allis Plaza Garage located between 12th & 13th and between Central & Wyandotte.

Taxis and ride share services including Uber and Lyft are available from the Kansas City International Airport (MCI) to the Kansas City Marriott Downtown Hotel and Kansas City Convention Center.

The average taxi fare to/from downtown Kansas City is $52, plus fees.  Kansas City Marriott Downtown is 20 miles from the MCI (KCI) Airport.

There are many dining and entertainment options just a few blocks away from the convention center and Marriott, including the popular Power & Light District.

Several area businesses offer Petfood Forum attendees’ special rates and discounts through Visit KC. View the deals

For your convenience, multiple registration options will be available. View registration packages here

Several options are available for attending the educational sessions at Petfood Forum. View registration packages here

The Petfood Forum Full Conference pass includes the complete Petfood Forum experience: 2-day full conference pass with breakfast and lunch, plus multiple coffee breaks each day, opening night reception, Tuesday happy hour reception, access to all speakers, educational sessions and the Exhibit Hall.

Petfood Forum Day Pass (purchased for Tuesday or Wednesday only): 1-day full conference pass with breakfast and lunch, plus coffee breaks and receptions with full access to educational sessions and Exhibit Hall.

All meals shown on the Petfood Forum schedule of events are included in the cost of your registration, for the days that you are registered to attend. We encourage attendees to join us and continue to network during these times. View the agenda

You may cancel your participation at any time but please be aware of the event cancellation policy listed below. If you cancel by March 4, 2024, you will be refunded your registration fee less a 15% processing fee. If you cancel on or after March 5, 2024, you will not be eligible for a refund, but may send someone in your place.

All name substitutions must be completed by April 1, 2024. Please email additions, changes and/or cancellation requests to: events@wattglobal.com. All fees must be paid by April 15, 2024.

Registering with social media is not required. Please look below the social buttons on the registration screen for the link “or click here to register with your email” and proceed accordingly.

Your name badge, lanyard and program materials will be available at Petfood Forum registration located in the 2300 Lobby of the Kansas City Convention Center. To assist with making the registration process at the convention center quick and easy, a scan-and-go barcode will be sent via email to the address entered on the registration prior to the show. Be sure to bring this barcode with you when you check in at Petfood Forum.

There are two ways to obtain your Petfood Forum receipt/invoice.

While registering: Once you’ve reached the “Confirmation Page” (last page), navigate over to the right hand side of the screen, click the “Receipt/Invoice button.” You can then print or email your receipt.

After you have registered: Sign in to the registration site here, using the email and password created when registering. Continue through to the “Confirmation Page,” navigate over to the right hand side of the screen, click the “Receipt/Invoice button.” You can then print or email your receipt.

A new badge can be printed at the registration desk for a fee of $50.

Press and media seeking admission into Petfood Forum must be approved by the event organizers. Organizers will provide press releases, and video footage taken by Petfood Forum staff upon request. Please contact Steve Akins at sakins@wattglobal.com for more information.

To obtain a visa to visit Petfood Forum, you will need to contact the embassy in your country.

To request a VISA letter of invitation for Petfood Forum, please email events@wattglobal.com.

You can search for Petfood Forum exhibitors through the online event map. The Petfood Forum program will also have exhibitor listings and a floor map, and this information will be offered at registration during the event.

The Petfood Forum mobile app makes it very easy to search and find exhibitors. The Petfood Forum mobile app will be available in April through iTunes and Google Play.

A detailed schedule for Petfood Forum 2024 will be released Fall 2024. While attending the conference and exhibition, the agenda can be found in the program guide available at registration and on the Petfood Forum mobile app.

Breakfast, lunch, break refreshments and evening receptions, will be provided at specific times during the conference and exhibition. View the agenda for times and locations.

The Harvest Business Center is available at the Kansas City Convention Center located near Lobby 2200. For a fee copying, printing, office supplies and shipping via Federal Express and UPS.

Charging stations are located randomly throughout the Exhibit Hall D-E and in Lobby 2300 by registration.

Wheelchairs can be reserved in advance and checked out at the Event Services Office on Level 1 of the Convention Center. There is no charge to borrow a wheelchair; however, a driver’s license is required and will be held until the wheelchair is returned. For reserving a wheelchair and general inquiries, call 816.513.5000.