2018 Pet Industry Events Calendar!

Compiled by American Pet Professionals
Happy 2018 pet pros! New year, new goals, and over 30 pet events held across the country for our pet industry!  If you haven’t yet started planning your year yet and what conferences you will be attending, displaying at or thinking of going to, here is our compiled list for 2018 to help you decide. There are many different events being held for all areas and professions in out industry.  Wishing you an incredible 2018, the Year of the DOG, and we hope to see you at many of these events throughout the year!
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2018 Pet Industry Events, CLICK HERE to get yours!

JANUARY 2018:

Annual Pet Industry Leadership Conference – Hosted by the Pet Industry Joint Advisory Council (PIJAC) and the American Pet Products Association (APPA) will join PIDA for the Annual Pet Industry Leadership Conference, January 28 – 31, 2018, at the Naples Grande Beach Resort, Naples, Florida. For more info Click Here.
Greater Philadelphia Pet Expo – Held in Oaks, PA at the Greater Philadelphia Expo Center January 12-14, 2018. This is a consumer event that sees over 10,000 people through their doors over a 2.5 day period. This show is a great way to get your pet business in front of pet owners in attendance. There may be a few vendor spots left for this show, go to www.FamilyPetShows.com for contact information. Consumer event, open to public.
Clicker Expo – Held in Irvine, California from January 19 – 21, 2018 for the West Coast and check under March for the St. Louis info. For more info click here. 
Lehigh Valley Pet Expo – January 26-28, 2018. This is a consumer event that sees nearly 10,000 people through their doors over a 2.5 day period. You can find out more at www.FamilyPetShows.comConsumer event, open to public.

FEBRUARY 2018:

VMX (NAVC) Conference – From February 3-7, 2018 the North American Veterinary Community will hold their annual conference in Orlando, Florida. For more information click here.
Association of Aquatic Professionals Conference – The annual conference for Aquatic Professionals will take place February 5 – 8, 2018 in St. Pete Beach, Florida. For more information click here.
Food & Treat Expo (F.A.T.) for Pets – This brand new show is being held on Tuesday, February 6, 2018 on Fat Tuesday in Edison, New Jersey at the New Jersey Convention & Expo Center. Presented by Pet Age Magazine this new event will feature keynote speakers, breakout sessions, trade show and is open to pet professionals and pet parents. For more information click here. (See you there!)
NYC Pet Fashion Show – This annual Pet Fashion show draws in pet fashion designers and enthusiasts from all around the world. There are vendors, networking, and a lot of dogs dressed up! This year’s theme is ‘Country Couture for Animal Rescue’ and the event benefits the Mayor’s Alliance for NYC Animals. Held on Thursday, February 8, 2018, 6pm – 11pm – Hotel Pennsylvania, New York City. (A kick of to Westminster!) For more info click here. Open to public.
Westminster – if you are not familiar with the Westminster Kennel Club dog show and you’re in the pet industry – Westminster has become a renowned pet industry event in New York City. Combining the annual dog show, agility championships and meet the breeds, there is something for every dog enthusiast over four days:

  • 142nd Annual Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show – 2-day dog show February 12 & 13, 2018, Piers 92/94 during the day & Madison Square Garden in the evenings, with Tuesday evening being when the award Best In Show. Open to public.
  • 5th Annual Masters Agility Championship At Westminster – if you have yet to see agility in person, this is an incredible way to start! Held Saturday, February 10, 2018, Pier 94. Open to public.
  • 9th Annual AKC Meet the Breeds Saturday, February 10, 2018, 10am – 5pm, Pier 92. Open to public.
  • 3rd Annual Masters Obedience ChampionshipMonday, February 12, 2018, 8am – 4pm with the Finals from 7pm – 9pm, Pier 94. Open to public.

Dog Writers of American Annual Awards BanquetHeld this year on Saturday, February 10, 2018 from 5pm – 9pm at The Sutton Place Room at The New Yorker in New York City. This year Dr. Marty Becker, a.k.a. “America’s Veterinarian,” will give a keynote speech and legendary dog show host and author David Frei will be inducted into the DWAA Hall of Fame! For tickets and more information click here.
Groom Expo West – February 15 – 18, 2018 held in Pasadena, California. For more info click here.

MARCH 2018:

Atlanta Pet Fair & Conference – This annual Grooming conference is being held from March 8 – 11, 2018 in Atlanta, Georgia. For more info click here.
Clicker Expo – Held March 16 -18, 2018 in St. Louis, MO. Learn more by clicking here. 
Global Pet Expo – Global is the biggest pet industry trade-show in the country. Last year’s Global boasted 7.2 miles of trade show floor, incredible pet companies, celebrities, press from around the globe. 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. Be sure to sign up for Global Academy sessions before you go! Global is held in Orlando, Florida from March 21 – 23, 2018. Find out more go to www.globalpetexpo.org. (See you there!)
Long Island Pet Expo – This is a consumer event that sees over 12,000 people through their doors over a 2 day period, March 3 & 4, 2018. 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.

APRIL 2018:

Healthy Dog ExpoThe first Healthy Dog Expo taking place on Saturday, April 7, 2018 in Albany, NY. Speakers, vendors and education hosted by Dr. Laurie S. Coger DVM, CVCP. For more info click here. (See you there!)
BlogPawsThe 10th annual conference for pet bloggers is taking place April 18-20 in Kansas City, Missouri. For more info click here.
NAPPS Networking Education ForumThe National Association of Professional Pet Sitters annual form is being held April 18-20, 2018 in Atlanta, Georgia. For more info click here.  
PetFood Forum – The PetFood Forum and Innovation Workshop is taking place April 23 -25, 2017 in Kansas City, Missouri. For more information click here.
Pet Boarding & Daycare Expo West – Taking place April 30 – May 3, 2018 in Burbank, California. For more info click here.

MAY 2018:

6th Annual NYC Re-Tails and Sales Expo – Tuesday, May 1, 2018, from 1pm – 6pm:  NYC’s Leading pet product boutique trade show! This is the boutique event for retailers, media pet influencers, groomers, veterinarians and investors to attend and learn about new and innovative pet products. This is an intimate pet expo is held in a beautiful pet-friendly location in New York City! To register to attend or to become a vendor go to www.RetailsandSalesPetExpo.com. Co-hosted by Nancy Hassel of American Pet Professionals and Dana Humphrey of Whitegate PR. (See you there!)
Fetch DVM 360 Conference – CVC is now Fetch, a dvm360 conference!  Taking place on May 17 – 20, 2018 and being held in Virginia Beach, VA.  For more information click here.   

JUNE 2018:

World Dog Expo – The 2nd annual event for both pet parents and pet professionals and of course their dogs! Educational speaking sessions, vendors and a ton of activities to try with your dog: dock diving, dog surfing, agility, lure coursing, weight pulling, flyball and so much more.  Held at the Meadowlands Exposition Center in New Jersey, minutes from NYC, this event is taking place June 9 & 10, 2018. For more info click here. (See you there!)
SuperZoo – This annual pet industry trade show takes place in Las Vegas every year. This year it will be held June 26 – 28, 2018. Another conference for retailers and you need to check out SuperZoo University while there too! For more information, click here.

JULY 2018:

National Pet Professionals Week – The 4th Annual ‘National Pet Professionals Week’  July 5 – 11, 2018 taking place worldwide During this annual week created by American Pet Professionals who is encouraging pet professionals to celebrate, promote and highlight their chosen profession within the industry by showing off, what else but their professionalism! For more of what you can do to participate click here.
#NationalPetProfessionalsWeek

AVMA Conference – Held this year in Denver Colorado, the American Veterinary Medical Association annual conference will take place from July 13 – 17, 2018. For more information click here. 
Best Friends Conference – The annual conference hosted by Best Friends Animal Society will be taking place this year in Los Angeles, California. Held from July 19-21, 2018. For more info click here.

AUGUST 2018:

Fetch DVM 360 ConferenceCVC is now Fetch, a dvm360 conference!  Taking place on August 17 – 20, 2018 and being held in Kansas City, Missouri.  For more information click here

SEPTEMBER 2018:

MACNA Conference – Marine Aquarium Conference of North AmericanMACNA® 2018 will take place September 7th – 9th, 2018 at the Westgate Resort and Convention Center in Las Vegas, Nevada. For more info click here.
Pet Sitters International – Pet Sitter World conference takes place September 9 – 12, 2018 at the Embassy Suites Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. For more info click here.
Groom Expo at Hershey – Taking place September 27– 30, 2018. 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.” Click here for more info.

OCTOBER 2018:

Pet Connections ExpoThe 2nd Annual Pet Connections Expo is taking place again at the Greater Philadelphia Expo Center in Oaks, PA. The show is being held October 2 & 3, 2018. For more info click here. (See you there!)
IBSPA – The International Boarding & Pet Services Association annual conference is being held October 2 – 4, 2018 in St. Louis, MO. More information can be found by clicking here.
American Holistic Veterinary Medical Association – On the East Coast this year! This annual conference is being held October 4 – 7, 2018 in Kissimmee, Florida. For more info click here.
Wild West Veterinary Conference – Being held October 3 – 7, 2018 in Reno-Tahoe, Nevada, this is their 22nd annual conference. For more info click here.
Atlantic Coast Veterinary Conference (ACVC)– Taking place in Atlantic City, New Jersey from October 8 – 11, 2018. 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. 
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.” Being held October 19-20, 2018 in Secaucus, New Jersey. Learn more by clicking here.
APDT – Association of Pet Dog Trainers annual conference is taking place from October 17 -20, 2018 in Memphis, Tennessee. For more information click here.

NOVEMBER 2018:

New York VetNovember 8 & 9, 2018 – This 2nd annual veterinary conference for the NY area is being held again at the Jacob Javits Center in New York City, NY. Continuing education, trade show and more. To learn more click here.
Raw & Natural Dog Summit – This 2nd annual summit is being held November 2-4, 2018 in Chicago, Illinois and is hosted by Dogs Naturally magazine. Learn more by click here.
Pet Boarding & Daycare Expo – Hosted in Hershey, PA from November 5 – 8, 2018– 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.

December 2018

Happy Holidays!
We do our best to ensure accurate listings.  Often events are not yet set with their dates at the time of publishing and/or new events are added.]]>

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