SUPERZOO

Opening Day at SUPERZOO Offers So Much to See and Do

Put these Wednesday highlights on your schedule and start shopping! And learning! And networking!

Published

3 months ago

August 12, 2025

PETS+ Staff

THE BASICS

7 AM–5 PM Registration
8 AM–4:30 PM Education in North Convention Center
9 AM–5 PM Trade Show Floor
9 AM–5 PM Lunches and Snacks in Lounges

SHOW FLOOR TALKS STAGE

Dr. Micah Kohles

10-10:15 AM “Tariff Turbulence: What Pet Retailers Need to Know to Survive and Thrive,” Michael Johnson, BSM Partners
10:45-11 AM “Leading Gen Z: What Works, What Doesn’t and Why It Matters,” Frank Niles, Ph. D, BSM Partners
11:30-11:45 AM “Building Trust Between Groomers and Vets,” Dr. Micah Kohles
12-12:30 PM “Beyond Cats & Dogs: Inside the Specialty Pet Segment,” Dr. Micah Kohles
1-1:15 PM “Sensory Sales: Activations That Spark Loyalty and Boost Engagement,” Candace D’Agnolo, Pet Boss Nation
1:45-2 PM “Paws, Scales and Sales: The Power of Live Animals in Retail” panel, led by Sandy Moore, Pet Advocacy Network
2:30-2:45 PM “Behind the Brand: Katherine Heigl’s Mission-Driven Badlands Ranch,” Katherine Heigl
3:30-4 PM New Product Showcase Awards
4-4:30 PM Awards Ceremony for PETS+ 2025 America’s Coolest contest, sponsored by SUPERZOO

EDUCATION HIGHLIGHTS

Karen Becker, from left, Rodney Habib

These sessions require a Retail & Grooming Education Pass.
8-9:30 AM “How to Attract Shoppers to Your Brick and Mortar Store,” Georganne Bender, Islander H
10-11:30 AM “Paws to Prosperity: Navigating Succession Planning for Your Pet Businesses,” Lynn Switanowski, South Paciﬁ c A
1-2:30 PM “Build a Winning Marketing Strategy: A Step-by-Step Guide for Pet Retailers,” Matt Aldrich, South Paciﬁ c C
1-2:30 PM “Forever Dog L.I.F.E.,” Karen Becker, DVM, and Rodney Habib, Islander G
3-4:30 PM “Time’s Up! Where Did Your Day Go? Time Management Techniques,” Joe Zuccarrello, South Paciﬁ c A

NETWORKING EVENTS

11 AM-NOON “Female Founders in the Pet Industry,” Snack Lounge
2-3 PM “Empower Hour,” with Dr. Micah Kohles, Groomer’s Snack Lounge
3-5 PM IndiePet “Celebrate Neighborhood Pet Store Day,” DJ Lounge
5:30-7:30 PM “Retailer & Emerging Brands Networking Experience,” Mini Golf at Swingers, Mandalay Bay. Elite Sponsor: Catit. Media Sponsor: PETS+

Related Topics:SUPERZOO 2025 World Pet Association

PETS+ Staff

Since launching in 2017, PETS+ has won 24 major international journalism awards for its publication and website and was a finalist for Best Single Issue in the prestigious Neal Awards in both 2017 and 2024.

click to Comment(Comment)

NASC Media Spotlight

At first it was just an idea: Animal supplements needed the same quality control that human-grade supplements receive. But that was enough to start a movement and an organization —the National Animal Supplement Council — that would be dedicated to establishing a comprehensive path forward for the animal supplements industry. In this Media Spotlight interview, NASC’s president, Bill Bookout, talks to PETS+ interviewer Chloe DiVita about the industry today: Where it’s headed, what’s the latest focus and why it’s vital to gain the involvement of independent pet product retailers.