(PRESS RELEASE) ABINGDON, MD – The American Pet Products Association (APPA), Pet Industry Distributors Association (PIDA), the Pet Industry Joint Advisory Council (PIJAC), and World Pet Association (WPA) announce registration for the seventh annual Pet Industry Leadership Summit (The Summit) is now open. This in-person event – cohosted by the four pet industry associations – will take place Jan. 24-26, 2022, at the Sheraton Grand at Wild Horse Pass in Phoenix, Ariz. The program for the upcoming event is now available.
Each year, The Summit serves as the pet industry’s kickoff event. It is the only high-level program harnessing the collective knowledge of top executives from every segment of the pet care community. Members of APPA, PIDA, PIJAC and WPA use this event to garner fresh insights for business growth through networking, collaboration, and thought leadership.
The Summit 2022 will feature three keynote speakers focusing on leadership and the economy’s impact on the pet industry. Seth Mattison, internationally recognized thought leader on workforce change and innovation, will speak on “Navigating What’s Next: Insights for Shaping the Future and Driving Performance in the New World of Work.” Megan Johnson, generational studies expert, author, and humorist, will present her thoughts on “Transforming Multi-Generational Teams in a Post-COVID World.” Brian Beaulieu, speaker, and CEO of ITR Economics, will return to present on “Navigating Shifts: Business Cycle – Inflation – Labor.”
The opening day will include two industry breakout sessions: “Pet Market Outlook: Tracking Omnimarket Growth Momentum” featuring David Sprinkle of Packaged Facts, followed by “The Evolution of Brand Protection in the Pet Industry: MAAP and Beyond” presented by Ron Solomon of MAAP Trap. Mike Bober of PIJAC will also lead a panel discussion, “Where Will The Pets Come From?” Panelists will include Steven Feldman of Human Animal Bond Research Institute (HABRI), Amiee Gilbreath of Pet Smart Charities, and Susanne Kogut of Petco Love.
Two additional breakout sessions will be held on Jan. 25: “It’s Not Them – It’s You. Reclaiming Your Consumer Mojo!” featuring Michael Johnson of FINN Cady, followed by “APPA National Pet Owners Survey: Generational Report – Volume 4 Debut!” presented by APPA’s Julie Springer. PIDA will also hold executive conferences during the second day of the event. The meetings provide PIDA distributor and manufacturer members the opportunity to meet one-on-one to discuss strategic business relationships, new marketing initiatives, and other industry topics.
View The Summit website to learn more about the event schedule, keynotes, industry breakout sessions, and register before the Early-Bird registration expires at 11:59 p.m. ET on Nov. 1, 2021.