Agenda

Full agenda coming January 2026! 

We are currently developing the agenda for Petfood Forum 2026. The program will feature leading experts sharing insights on pet food nutrition, ingredients, safety, processing, packaging and market trends.

Monday, April 27

7 a.m.-4:15 p.m | Petfood Essentials includes sessions, breakfast, lunch & networking reception (separate registration) 
8 a.m.-4:30 p.m. | Registration
8 a.m.-5:00 p.m. | Exhibitor move-in
2-4 p.m. | AAFCO sessions (separate registration)
4:30-6:30 p.m. | Petfood Forum and Petfood Essentials opening reception, KC P&L District

Tuesday, April 28

7 a.m.-5:30 p.m.  | Registration
7 a.m.-2 p.m. | Cash coffee bar
7-8 a.m. | Breakfast
8-9:00 a.m. | Welcome and opening keynote: Next-gen premium: The consumer trends rewriting pet food innovation — Kevin Ryan, Ph.D., CEO, Malachite Strategy and Research
9:00 a.m.-6 p.m. | Exhibit hall open
9:00 a.m.-6 p.m. | Visiting pet charities
9:15-9:45 a.m. | Coffee break, exhibit hall
9:20 a.m.-12:35 p.m. | Pet Food Tech Talks, Tech Talk stage
9:45 a.m.-12 p.m. | Petfood Forum Student Program research presentations, Future of Pet Food Pavilion
12:15-1:30 p.m. | Lunch, exhibit hall
12:45-1:30 p.m. | Live podcast interview, Tech Talk stage
1:30-4:15 p.m. | Concurrent sessions
2:35-3:10 p.m. | Coffee break, exhibit hall
4:15-6:00 p.m. | Networking reception, exhibit hall. Includes special networking area for Women in Petfood Leadership
4:30-5:30 p.m. | Student Program/industry poster researchers meet-and-greet, Future of Pet Food Pavilion

Wednesday, April 29

7 a.m.-2 p.m. | Registration
7 a.m.-2 p.m. | Cash coffee bar
7:15-8:15 a.m. | Breakfast
8:15-9:00 a.m. | Wednesday opening session: The art of standing out: Leveraging remarkable experiences and experimentation to create brand evangelism — Ryan Estis, bestselling author, former Fortune 500 chief revenue officer and globally recognized sales and leadership expert
9 a.m.-3 p.m. | Exhibit hall open
9 a.m.-2:30 p.m. | Visiting pet charities
9:20 a.m.-12:05 p.m. | Pet Food Tech Talks, Tech Talk stage
9:30-10:00 a.m. | Coffee break, exhibit hall
9:30-11:30 a.m. | Petfood Forum Student Program presentations, Future of Pet Food Pavilion
11:30-11:45 a.m. | Announcement of Student Research Competition Awards
12-1:30 p.m. | Lunch
1:30-3 p.m. | Closing panel: Industry hot topic discussion with pet food manufacturing influencers