What’s New at Petfood Forum 2027? | More to Experience

Petfood Forum celebrates 35 years of bringing the global pet food industry together on April 26-28, 2027, in Kansas City, Missouri. From an expanded show floor to education for different experience levels, discover more ways to learn, connect and do business.

Whether you’re joining us for the first time or returning, here’s what’s new across the Expo Hall, conference and Monday pre-conference workshop.

1. What’s new on the show floor: More included in your Expo Hall Pass

For the first time ever, Petfood Forum will occupy the entire exhibit hall in 2027. This will give our attendees more ways to connect, more opportunities to discover and more value built into your experience.

The expanded space will allow for improved traffic flow, continued learning and engagement areas. The expo hall will be open Tuesday and Wednesday. 

Startup Launchpad

Find emerging suppliers in a dedicated area for companies entering the pet food market. Startup Launchpad gives attendees a place to explore new ideas, meet entrepreneurs and  potential business partners.

Two Tech Talk stages

Learn about technologies, products and developments shaping pet food manufacturing without leaving the show floor. The traditional Tech Talk stage features 15-minute presentations, while a new second stage offers 25-minute presentations for topic deep dives and extended case studies.

Paws & Learning Lounges

Continue the conversation after conference sessions conclude. These show floor lounges are organized around concurrent session topics, giving you a place to ask speakers your questions one-on-one, explore topics in greater depth and network with professionals in your functional area.

SupplierLINK: 1:1 Buyer Meetings

Make the Petfood Forum experience more productive through scheduled, 20-minute meetings connecting qualified pet food purchasing decision-makers and influencers with participating suppliers. Matches are guided by sourcing priorities and supplier interests, at no additional cost to your attendee registration. Participation is subject to qualification, supplier fit and availability.

Learn about SupplierLINK

More spaces and tools to connect

Use new, rentable Meeting Pods for focused business conversations, meet informally at the Petfood Forum Coffee Café, and plan connections through enhanced event app networking capabilities.

2. What’s new with the Conference Pass: Insights for your next decisions

Add the Conference Pass to your Expo Hall Pass for expert-led education on the trends, technical developments and business challenges affecting your work.

Opening keynote with Jack Bobo

On Tuesday, April 27, food futurist Jack Bobo explores “Why the future belongs to pet food.” Hear how shifting demographics, consumer trust and trends in human food could shape opportunities for the pet food industry.

Concurrent sessions for intermediate and advanced knowledge

Choose sessions that match your experience and learning goals. The 2027 program includes content for professionals building on an established foundation and those seeking more advanced knowledge in pet food nutrition, ingredients, regulatory issues and safety.

Pet food market update

Get a current view of the pet food market to help inform business planning and put the opportunities and challenges facing your company into context.

Closing panel: 20 years after the melamine recalls

Stay through Wednesday afternoon for “20th anniversary of melamine recalls: What have we learned? What’s next?” Industry experts will examine lessons from the recalls, the safety and regulatory changes that followed, and how the industry can prepare for future challenges.

More ARPAS continuing credits offered

The 2027 agenda is approved for continuing education units (CEUs) from the American Registry of Professional Animal Scientists (ARPAS), which issues certifications and promotes professional competency and a culture of integrity.

View the 2027 conference agenda

3. New pre-conference workshop: Operations Edge

Start your week with Operations Edge: Optimizing Your Pet Food Manufacturing Pipeline, an interactive workshop on Monday, April 26.

Designed for pet food operators, engineers, supervisors and managers, the workshop focuses on improving manufacturing efficiency, technology and operations. Expert presentations and roundtable discussions offer opportunities to work through production challenges and identify ideas to bring back to your facility.

Participants will receive a certificate documenting their participation. Separate workshop registration is required.

Choose your Petfood Forum experience

Simplified ticket options make it easy to build your visit around your interests and goals:

• Start with the Expo Hall Pass: Access 400 supplier exhibits, both Tech Talk stages, Paws & Learning Lounges, networking spaces and more. Qualified buyers can also participate in SupplierLINK.
• Add the Conference Pass: For an additional $495, attend the keynote, concurrent sessions, market update and closing panel.
• Include Operations Edge: Register for the Monday pre-conference workshop for $550, including expert presentations, roundtable discussions and a certificate of participation.

Expo Hall Pass pricing varies by registration date and attendee category. Register early for the lowest available rate.