2016 Pet Industry Events!

By Nancy E. Hassel, American Pet Professionals
See ya 2015, you were a great year but on to an even bettter year in the pet industry! Anyone else feel like 2016 is going to be the best year yet for this amazing industry, I do! If you haven’t started planning for 2016, where you will be, what industry and consumer events you will go to, have a booth at and what will be best for your pet business or rescue – now is the time to start planning!
Here are some industry events you must do this year, and this will more than likely be updated as we hear of more big events throughout the year!
January 2016
NAVC Conference – From January 16 – 20, 2016 the North American Veterinary Community will hold their annual conference in Orlando, Florida. For more information click here.
Pet Industry Leadership Conference – A new conference to hit the industry hosted by the Pet Industry Joint Advisory Council (PIJAC) and the American Pet Products Association (APPA) will join PIDA for the 1st Annual Pet Industry Leadership Conference, January 18-21, 2016, at the Loews Ventana Canyon Resort in Tucson, Arizona. The new conference will combine the best elements of the PIDA meeting and the Top2Top conference with the scope and size of APPA. For more info click here.
Pet Industry Growth Strategy Workshop – Tuesday, January 19, 2016. Pet business experts Dana Humphrey of Whitegate PR & Nancy Hassel of American Pet Professionals will analyze your business and teach you how to strategize, plan for and executive goals for your next 3-months. Are you constantly asking and seeking advice from other business owners, need information and education for the pet industry, looking for guidance and how to’s? This is the workshop for you! Limited seats left, click here for more info.
Lehigh Valley Pet Expo – January 29-31, 2016. This is a consumer event that sees nearly 10,000 people through their doors over a 2.5 day period. Great way to get your pet business in front of pet owners. You can find out more at www.FamilyPetShows.com. Consumer event, open to public.
February 2016:
Helen Woodward Animal Welfare Conference – The future of animal welfare this conference is dubbed the ‘business of saving lives.’ 2016 Dates have not yet been announced. If you are in animal welfare or rescue this is the conference for you, see more here.
Westminster – now if you are not familiar with the Westminster Kennel Club dog show and you’re in the pet industry (regardless if you own a business or run a rescue group) – Westminster has become a meca of pet industry events for NYC. Events aside from the prestigous 2-day dog show February 15 & 16, 2016, Piers 92/94 & Madison Square Garden in the evenings, that are not only fun to attend – but great for networking and meeting many like minded individuals from around the world are:

Greater Philadelphia Pet Expo – February 19 – 21, 2016. This is a consumer event that sees over 10,000 people through their doors over a 2.5 day period. Great way to get your pet business in front of pet owners. There may be a few vendor spots left for this show, go to www.FamilyPetShows.com for contact information. Consumer event, open to public.
March 2016:
Association of Aquatic Professionals Conference – The 5th conference and exposition for Aquatic Professionals will take place March 5 – 10, 2016 in San Diego, California. For more information click here.
Atlanta Pet Fair & Conference – Grooming conference being held from March 10 -13, 2016 in Atlanta, Georgia. For more info click here.
NAPPS 2016 Education & Networking Forum – National Association of Professional Pet Sitters conference will take place this year March 11-13, 2016 in Orlando, FL. For more info click here.
Global Pet Expo – Global is one of, if not the biggest industry trade show in the country. Last year’s Global boasted 4 miles of trade show floor, increbible pet companies, celebrities, press from around, well the globe and so much more. Hosted by the APPA and PIDA – this is a must do event if you are a manufacturer or retail store looking to see the latest in new and innovative pet products. Global is held in Orlando, Florida from March 16-18,2016. Find out more go to www.globalpetexpo.org. We covered this event in a video and article last year and will see you there again this year!
Long Island Pet Expo – This is a consumer event that sees over 10,000 people through their doors over a 2.5 day period, March 4-6, 2016. Great way to get your pet business in front of pet owners. You can find out more at www.FamilyPetShows.com. (We will be at this event! Look for the APP booth!) Consumer event, open to public.
AAHA Conference – This annual veterinary conference offers the opportunity to learn practices from industry experts, discover the latest and greatest in products & services, and network with fellow veterinarians and technicians from around the country. Being held March 31 – April 3, 2016 in Austin, Texas. For more info click here.
April 2016:
PetFood Forum – The PetFood Forum and Innovation Workshop is taking place April 18 – 20, 2016 in Kansas City, Missouri. For more information click here.
NYC Re-Tails and Sales Expo – Tuesday, April 19, 2016 from 1pm – 6pm: NYC’s 1st every Pet Electronic Technology Showcase (P.E.T.S) and pet product boutique trade show! This is the boutique event for retailers, media pet influencers, groomers, veterinarians and investors to attend .  This is the boutique event for retailers & media . This is an intimate pet expo, limited to 20 vendors, right smack in a hip new location in New York City! For more information go to:  www.RetailsandSalesPetExpo.com.
May 2016:
Pet Boarding & Daycare Expo West – Taking place May 2 – 5, 2016 in Burbank, California. For more info click here.
Groom Classic Trade Show – Trade show for groomers and grooming retailers being held May 5-8, 2016 in Kansas City, Missouri. For more info click here.
June 2016:
BlogPaws – This will be BlogPaws 8th annual pet blogging and social media conference. Taking place in Phoenix, Arizone from June 23-25, 2016.
July 2016:
Best Friends Conference – The annual conference hosted by Best Friends Animal Society will be taking place this year at the Salt Palace Convention Center in Salt Lake City in Utah. Held from July 14 – 17, 2016. For more info click here.
August 2016:
SuperZoo – This annual pet insdustry trade show takes place in Las Vegas every year. This year it will be held August 1 – 4, 2016. Another conference for retailers and you need to check out SuperZoo University while there too! For more information, click here.
AVMA Conference – Held this year in San Antonio, Texas the American Veterinary Medical Association annual conference will take place from August 5 – 9, 2016 For more information click here.
P3 – Progressive Pet Products – A brand new trade show taking the Chicago area for the first year. The show is taking place August 24-25, 2016 at Navy Pier in downtown Chi-town! For more info click here.
September 2016:
Pet Sitters International – Pet Sitter World conference takes place September 12-14, 2016 in San Diego, California. For more info click here.
Groom Expo at Hershey – Taking place September 22 – 25, 2016. From their website “Groom Expo is the world’s largest grooming show, welcoming thousands of pet professionals to the Hershey Lodge and Convention Center in Hershey, Pennsylvania, every September. Groom Expo hosts dozens of educational seminars, exciting grooming competitions, and a weekend packed with extra events to meet and mingle with fellow pet professionals.” While APP has yet to be at Groom Expo, I have heard great things about the event. Click here for more info.
October 2016:
Atlantic Coast Veterinary Conference – Taking place in Atlantic City, NJ October 17-20, 2016. Continued education courses for veterinarians and according to their website ‘advances in the veterinary field, with the goal of obtaining Continuing Education Credits for license renewal, as well as creating business collaboration with the veterinary vendor community.’ Learn more here.
APDT – Association of Pet Dog Trainers annual conference is taking place from October 12 – 16, 2016 – location information has not yet been announced. For more info click here.
Wild West Veterinary Conference – Being held October 12 – 16, 2016 in Reno-Tahoe, Nevada, this is their 22nd annual conference. For more info click here.
PetSittingOlogy Conference  – will take place October 23 – 26, 2016, at the Monte Carlo Resort and Hotel in Las Vegas, Nevada. This is a friendly gathering of pet professionals who want to invigorate their businesses. For more info click here. 
PetFood 2.0 – If you are a pet food or treat manufactuer this conference is just for you. This is taking place for the 3rd year – dates TBA, and located in Chicago. You can find out more by clicking here.
November 2016:
BarkWorld – This social media and pet blogging conference is an great event and was owned by i5Publishing. I was honored to be a speaker again in 2015 – it was a fantastic event! The event is happening this year October 12 – 16, 2016 as always in Atlanta, GA. Click here for more info.
Aquatic Experience – According to their website, “From saltwater to freshwater with pond and aquatic animals, we have it all. Consumers and retailers are invited to join us for educational seminars and a thriving show floor filled with hobbyists from entry level to the most sophisticated aquarium keepers.” Show dates for 2016 have not yet been announced. You can find out more by clicking here.
Pet Boarding & Daycare Expo – Hosted in Hershey, PA from November 13 – 15, 2016– the Pet Boarding & Daycare expo specializes to pet professionals who are in pet boarding, daycare and pet sitting. You can learn more by clicking here.
There are so many fantastic events and conferences for you to attend this year to promote your product, grow your business, be educated at, network and grow your contact list at! Get out there pet pros!]]>