Pet Food Processing Exchange

Schedule

Stay tuned for the 2025 Pet Food Processing Exchange agenda, coming Spring 2025.

  • 3:00 p.m. – 6:30 p.m.

Early Afternoon / Evening Registration

  • 5:00 p.m. – 6:30 p.m.

Meet and Greet

  • 7:00 a.m. – 8:00 a.m.

Registration and Continental Breakfast

Opening session: A Look at the Pet Food Industry — Today and Tomorrow
  • 8:00 a.m. – 9:00 a.m.

Opening session: A Look at the Pet Food Industry — Today and Tomorrow

Michael Johnson, Principal, BSM Partners

A broad look at today's pet food and treat industry, the trends affecting the industry, and where things are headed.

All About the Ingredients
  • 9:00 a.m. – 9:45 a.m.

All About the Ingredients

Brittany White, Ph.D., Vice President of Research, Development and Engineering and Commercial Enablement, Ollie

Pet food processors look to the latest and greatest ingredients when formulating new pet food and treat products. Find out what new and existing ingredients are finding their way into today's pet food formulations.

  • 9:45 a.m. – 10:00 a.m.

Coffee Break

Finding Partners: Co-manufacturing Opportunities
  • 10:00 a.m. – 10:45 a.m.

Finding Partners: Co-manufacturing Opportunities

Worth Turner, Chief Executive Officer, Custom Veterinary Services

With the increasing influx of new pet food products entering the market annually, the persistent obstacle lies in discovering suitable manufacturers to produce them. In this session, you’ll gain insight into the essential qualities to look for in a co-manufacturing partner.

Supply Chain Challenges, Transportation and Industry Economics
  • 10:45 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.

Supply Chain Challenges, Transportation and Industry Economics

Jim Ritchie, Chief Executive Officer, RedStone Logistics, and Instructor, University of Kansas School of Business

Learn how to navigate ongoing supply chain obstacles and transportation challenges while maintaining profitability.

  • 11:30 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.

Lunch and Networking Reception

Global Market Opportunities: Expansion through Exporting
  • 1:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m.

Global Market Opportunities: Expansion through Exporting

Mallory Gaines, Director of Market Access and Multilateral Affairs, American Feed Industry Association

With the remarkable surge in pet food sales worldwide, find out how you can capitalize on this growth and successfully navigate this potentially arduous process.

Leveraging Data for Business Growth
  • 2:00 p.m. – 2:45 p.m.

Leveraging Data for Business Growth

Andrea Binder, Vice President of Retail Account Development, NielsenIQ

From market research to consumer data, how can processors use valuable data-driven insights to help guide product development and drive profitability?

  • 2:45 p.m.– 3:15 p.m.

Coffee and Networking Break

State of the Industry Panel Discussion
  • 3:15 p.m. – 4:30 p.m.

State of the Industry Panel Discussion

Scott Krebs, President, Wenger Group
Amy Patterson, President, Petsource by Scoular
Tom Rychlewski, Vice President, Food and Beverage Operations, CRB
Jeremy Couture, Director of Business Development – Pet Specialty Group, Nestlé Purina PetCare

Hear from leaders in the pet food and treat industry as they share insights into the state of today's ever-changing pet food industry.

  • 5:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.

Cocktail Reception

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Registration and Continental Breakfast

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  • 7:00 a.m. – 8:00 a.m.

Continental Breakfast

The Plant of the Future
  • 8:00 a.m. – 9:15 a.m.

The Plant of the Future

Brian Lakari, Vice President of Operations, Carnivore Meat Company,
Greg Powers, Vice President, Cool Stuff, Gray Solutions
Andy Daly, Client Delivery Partner, Microsoft

As pet food processors strategize their long-term capital investments, what would be the optimal blueprint for the plant of tomorrow?

Recall Protection and Prevention: Keeping Pets and Pet Food Safe
  • 9:15 a.m. – 10:00 a.m.

Recall Protection and Prevention: Keeping Pets and Pet Food Safe

Billie Johnson, Ph.D., Food Safety and Regulatory Compliance Manager, BHJ North America

Processors are tasked with delivering safe pet food to the pet parents that rely on them. Learn about how processors can keep those products safe during and after processing.

SUSTAINABILITY IN THE PET INDUSTRY
  • 10:00 a.m. – 10:45 a.m.

SUSTAINABILITY IN THE PET INDUSTRY

Anne Klein, Senior Sustainability Business Manager, Pet Sustainability Coalition

Learn how packaging, formulation, emissions reductions, and corporate responsibility can create positive impact for your business, the environment and communities.

  • 10:45 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.

Coffee Break

Legal Considerations for Overseas Partnerships
  • 11:00 a.m. - 11:45 a.m.

Legal Considerations for Overseas Partnerships

Fang Shen, Partner, Husch Blackwell

As US pet food processors consider overseas distribution, it’s important to understand the legal requirements surrounding potential sales, manufacturing, and joint development arrangements.

Emerging Trends in New Product Development
  • 11:45 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.

Emerging Trends in New Product Development

Stephanie Clark, Ph.D., Companion Animal Nutritionist, BSM Partners

What factors are fueling the latest advancements in pet food, treats and supplements?

  • 12:30 p.m.

Adjournment

*2024 Pet Food Processing Exchange conference sessions and speakers subject to change.