Petfood Forum 2026 Showcases Innovation, AI and the Future of Pet Food

Petfood Forum 2026 brought together thousands of professionals from 40+ countries across the pet food supply chain in Kansas City, Missouri, April 27-29, delivering an insight-driven experience focused on innovation, collaboration and industry growth.

“Pet owner expectations reflect human lifestyle trends, not traditional pet aisles,” said Ryan Estis, a globally recognized leadership expert, during the Wednesday opening session.

Key Trends Shaping the Pet Food Industry

Major themes at Petfood Forum 2026 included personalization, AI-enabled automation and the rapidly evolving pet food consumer experience. These trends reflect broader shifts in how pet owners shop, engage with brands and expect products to perform.

More than 30 global experts shared research and data on:

• 5 pet food trends leading innovation before human
• Digital auditing cuts pet food quality assurance cycle time
• 4 strategies to retrofit legacy pet food plants for food safety
• Postbiotics may calm dogs via the gut-brain axis
• Keep semi-moist pet food products safe with antimicrobial strategies
• Digital tools provide quality control where manual controls fail

Read more Petfood Forum news here

Interactive Trade Show and Exhibitor Highlights

The event featured 375+ exhibiting companies, offering attendees opportunities to explore innovations in:

• Ingredients
• Packaging
• Processing
• Food safety

Live demonstrations, product samplings and interactive displays made the trade show floor a central hub for discovery and engagement.

“Petfood Forum provides a 360-degree view of the pet food industry,” said Steve Akins, executive vice president, global petfood and events, WATT Global Media. “Every aspect, from the educational sessions to the trade show, is dedicated to advancing the manufacturing of pet food that meets evolving consumer demands.”

Petfood Tech Talk Stage and Research Innovation

The interactive show floor included the Petfood Tech Talk Stage, where 24 technologies and applications highlighted advancements in pet food production.

In the Future of Petfood Pavilion, graduate students from multiple universities presented the latest research in pet food and companion animal nutrition, offering a glimpse into the industry’s future.

Women in Petfood Leadership Program Builds Connections

The Women in Petfood Leadership (WIPL) program emphasized connection, mentorship and career development. A packed evening reception created space for meaningful conversations and relationship-building among industry professionals.

Learn more about other WIPL events happening in 2026. This program brings together like-minded professional women in pet food to build a community and interact by offering opportunities for networking, career planning, leadership development and professional support.

Women in Petfood Leadership is presented by Petfood Industry^®. 

Giving Back to the Pet Community

Petfood Forum 2026 reinforced its commitment to the pet community by partnering with PawsAbilities and Polk County Humane Society.

Students from Missouri State University’s companion animal research program worked with five puppies ahead of the event — and all five puppies were adopted during the show.

A Hands-On, Immersive Industry Experience

“Every part of this event is designed to be engaging and thought-provoking,” said Akins. “You don’t just hear about what’s next — you interact with it.”

From educational sessions to interactive exhibits, Petfood Forum continues to provide a comprehensive, hands-on experience for pet food professionals worldwide.

Save the Dates: Petfood Forum 2027

Petfood Forum 2027 will take place April 26-28 at the Kansas City Convention Center in Kansas City, Missouri, USA.

Events begin Monday with Petfood Essentials, the pre-conference seminar, and the Petfood Forum opening reception. The trade show floor will open Tuesday alongside educational programming, including keynote presentations, concurrent sessions, Petfood Tech Talks and student research presentations. Wednesday will continue with additional educational sessions and trade show activities, including more Tech Talks, focused on the latest pet food industry innovations, technologies and trends.