(PRESS RELEASE) LAS CRUCES, N.M. — The International Boarding & Pet Services Association (IBPSA) announced that registration is now open for The Forum, a first-of-its-kind conference experience designed to spark real conversations in the pet care industry. Held Sunday, September 21 through Tuesday, September 23, 2025 at the Delta Hotel Woodbridge in Iselin, New Jersey, this groundbreaking event will bring together forward-thinking pet care professionals for three high-impact days of thought-provoking sessions, powerful peer connections and renewed inspiration for what is possible in this ever-evolving industry.
Unlike traditional conferences, The Forum will invite unfiltered dialogue about the most pressing and progressive issues facing pet care business owners and managers. Attendees will hear from a dynamic speaker lineup – including respected industry voices such as Fernando Camacho, Kelli Dodds, Dom Hodgson, Teija Heikkilä, Garret Tadlock and Steven Parker – who will lead sessions designed to empower attendees to drive meaningful change in their businesses. The Forum will also celebrate excellence in the industry with the annual presentation of the Pet Care Business Excellence Awards (the IBBYs).
As a special highlight, attendees will enjoy an exclusive performance by comedian and actor Drew Lynch on Sunday evening, September 21. Drew captured the hearts of America with his Golden Buzzer performance on Season 10 of “America’s Got Talent” (NBC), where he finished in second place. Since then, he has toured the world to sold-out audiences, released multiple comedy specials — including 2023’s “And These Are Jokes” — and appeared on popular TV shows such as IFC’s “Maron,” TBS’s “Conan” and numerous top-rated podcasts. Admission to this evening of entertainment is included with each conference ticket.
New Jersey’s Delta Hotel and Convention Center will provide an ideal setting, centrally located in one of the nation’s most vibrant regions. With a collaborative and energizing atmosphere, The Forum is set to become a new staple in the professional development journey of today’s pet care leaders.
Pricing for The Forum is $399 for IBPSA Members and $499 for non-members. Ticket prices include meals, entertainment and access to all evening events (including the IBBY Awards). Hotel rooms must be booked separately at the group rate ($179/night) via a direct link that will be provided.
To learn more and register for The Forum or submit an IBBY Award nomination, please visit https://petcareconference.com.
About International Boarding & Pet Services Association (IBPSA)
The International Boarding & Pet Services Association (IBPSA) is a professional association offering business resources, staff education and training, certifications, industry expertise and legislative support for pet care services professionals currently residing in more than 10 countries. The association’s staff education and certification programs are developed by veterinarians and industry experts, and provide an invaluable base of pet care knowledge for service providers. IBPSA also facilitates and encourages networking opportunities to enable members to gain support and learn from other industry professionals. For more information about IBPSA, visit https://www.ibpsa.com.