Petfood Forum has confirmed Ernie Tedeschi and Michael Allison as keynote speakers for the 2025 event, scheduled for April 28-30 in Kansas City, Missouri, USA.
“Given ongoing economic uncertainty and other pressing challenges, we felt it was vital to offer the Petfood Forum audience insights from a macroeconomist to provide a broader perspective. What changes and forces will most impact business over the next few months and years, and how can companies prepare?” said Debbie Phillips-Donaldson, editor-in-chief of Petfood Industry. “At the same time, all the changes and disruptions call for strong leadership, even if that just means taking charge of your own career and life. So, we also chose a leadership expert to help people identify the self-barriers they might inadvertently create and ways to overcome them.”
Opening keynote: Ernie Tedeschi, Macro-economic outlook and what it means for pet food companies and pet owners
Ernie Tedeschi, director of economics, Budget Lab at Yale Law School, will kick off the morning sessions on Tuesday, April 29 during his presentation “Macro-economic outlook and what it means for pet food companies and pet owners.” Tedeschi will provide a forecast for upcoming changes and events with the economy, inflation, consumer spending, the labor force, the financial markets and other key indicators.
Tedeschi’s outlook is designed to help pet food businesses plan for what may come next. While it focuses on the U.S., it will offer an overview of the global economy, including key pet food regions or markets.
Tedeschi is a rare macroeconomist with private sector, government and academic experience. He is a visiting fellow at the Psaros Center for Financial Markets and Policy at Georgetown University. He previously served as the chief economist at the White House Council of Economic Advisers (CEA).
Prior to CEA, Tedeschi was managing director and head of fiscal analysis at Evercore ISI, a macro advisory firm. He was also previously an economist at the U.S. Department of the Treasury. Tedeschi completed his undergraduate studies at Stanford University and graduate work at the University of California at Berkeley.
Wednesday eye-opener session: Michael Allison, Break the bottle: How to shatter limiting beliefs and achieve peak performance in pet food development and marketing
On Wednesday, April 30, Michael Allison, CEO of the Adversity Academy Leadership Development Co., U.S. Marine Corps veteran and Purple Heart recipient, will deliver a message designed to help leaders, entrepreneurs and professionals break through the self-imposed barriers that hold them back during his opening session, “Break the bottle: How to shatter limiting beliefs and achieve peak performance in pet food development and marketing.”
“Break the bottle” is a call to action for those ready to shatter limiting beliefs, embrace a growth mindset and unlock their true identity and potential to achieve peak performance in life and business. Drawing from his own experiences overcoming adversity in the military, entrepreneurship and leadership, Allison provides actionable frameworks, strategies and insights to inspire you to challenge your mental barriers and redefine your personal and professional paths.
With over two decades of leadership experience, Allison has empowered high-level individuals and Fortune 500 organizations to break through limitations and embrace a mindset of growth and accountability. His journey through the aftermath of 9/11 and the Iraq War, where he led critical missions, shaped his unique approach to leadership under extreme pressure. Through the Adversity Academy, Allison delivers world-class leadership programs and personal coaching designed to help individuals and organizations build resilience, embrace change and drive results.
Allison’s entrepreneurial journey has seen him successfully launch multiple businesses, earning recognition from outlets like INC 5000, Franchise Consultant, USA Today and ESPN. He was honored with the 2022 Distinguished Alumni Award from Indiana Wesleyan University. Additionally, his insights have been featured in media including VFW Magazine, NBC, multiple podcasts, TEDx stages and About Face Military Mental Health Tribute.
About Petfood Forum
In addition to the keynote presentations, Petfood Forum includes unique networking opportunities with top decision-makers and dozens of educational sessions, led by globally recognized experts focused on the latest pet food developments and research. The 2025 event also features a robust exhibit hall floor where attendees will engage with supplier companies crucial to the global pet food industry.
Registration is open with early bird savings available. Multiple pass options are available to fit any budget.
