Petfood Forum 2026 to Host AAFCO SRIS Workshop and International Ingredient Buyers Mission

Petfood Forum 2026 will take place April 27-29, 2026, at the Kansas City Convention Center in Kansas City, Missouri (USA). In addition to the annual conference and exhibition, the event will feature co-located programs including the AAFCO SRIS Introductory Workshop and the Pet Food Ingredient Buyers Mission.

These events provide pet food manufacturers, ingredient suppliers, regulatory professionals and brand owners with expanded opportunities for education, regulatory insight and international business development.

Pet Food Ingredient Buyers Mission Connects Suppliers with Global Buyers

On April 27, 2026, Food Export Midwest and the Kansas Department of Agriculture will host the Pet Food Ingredient Buyers Mission in conjunction with Petfood Forum. The Buyers Mission is an exclusive program connecting qualified pet food company ingredient buyers with ingredient suppliers.

Registration is open until March 12. Learn more and register >

The Buyers Mission is a structured business matchmaking program that connects qualified international pet food ingredient buyers with U.S. ingredient suppliers. Participating buyers have expressed sourcing interest in:

• Pet Food Ingredients
• Value-Added Feed Ingredients
• Feed Additives & Supplements

Buyers from 7 countries are participating in 2026, including

• Canada
• China
• Guatemala
• Korea (the Republic of)
• Panama
• Thailand
• Vietnam

The program is designed to help U.S. pet food ingredient suppliers expand export opportunities, build direct relationships with international manufacturers and gain insight into global ingredient demand.

AAFCO SRIS Introductory Workshop

Join American Association of Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) on April 27 at Petfood Forum 2026 for an afternoon SRIS workshop (2:00-4:30PM CT) led by AAFCO members in collaboration with Kansas State University Olathe.

Attendees will learn about the new Scientific Review for Ingredient Submission (SRIS) pathway and dive into this new process to bring new feed ingredients to the market. Registration will be open soon. View workshop details >  

What is the AAFCO SRIS pathway?
The SRIS program offers a fast and accurate scientific assessment of new animal food ingredients that will be accepted by state regulators across the U.S. Through SRIS, prospective ingredients will undergo scientific evaluation at twice the speed of traditional methods while upholding rigorous scientific standards and transparency.

AAFCO members who register for Petfood Forum and/or the Petfood Essentials Pre-Conference Workshop are eligible for a 50% registration discount for each event. Interested members may contact PFFEvents@wattglobal.com for details.

Co-Located Events Expand Education and Networking Opportunities

“As pet food professionals from around the world gather in Kansas City for Petfood Forum, co-located events provide additional opportunities for regulatory education, technical learning and international networking,” said Steve Akins, executive vice president, global petfood and events, WATT Global Media.

By hosting regulatory workshops and international trade programs alongside the main conference, Petfood Forum creates a centralized meeting point for ingredient innovation, compliance strategy, supply chain development and global market expansion.

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.