Schedule

• 7:00 a.m. – 8:00 a.m.

Registration and Continental Breakfast

• 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.

• 9:00 a.m. – 9:45 a.m.

All About the Ingredients

Brittany White, Ph.D., Senior Director of Product Development, Innovation and Applied Research, Simmons Pet Food

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

• 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.

• 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

• 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.

• 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

• 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