KANSAS CITY, MO. — Pet Food Processing magazine and parent company Sosland Publishing Company are preparing for the second year of the Pet Food Processing Exchange, an educational and networking event to be held Oct. 19 to 21 at the Marriott Downtown Kansas City. Building on the success of the inaugural Exchange, organizers aim to expand its strategically relevant content through another solid lineup of educational sessions delivered by pet food industry influencers and thought leaders.
“The inaugural Exchange offered a unique networking and learning experience,” said Worth Turner, chief executive officer of CompletePet and Pet Food Processing Exchange State of the Industry panelist. “Unlike other industry events that are more focused on business development, the PFP Exchange led with education and networking in a genuine and collaborative format. I made valuable connections last year and learned a great deal.”
The Pet Food Processing Exchange will allow professionals to come together and learn from experts in the industry.
“While we each compete in our own way, the category is stronger when we come together to share trends, ideas and challenges,” said Greg Kean, senior vice president of Innovation and Nutrition at Wellness Pet Company, and Pet Food Processing Exchange speaker. “Events like the PFP Exchange foster collaboration that drives innovation, raises standards and supports the long-term health of the industry.”
Speakers presenting during the 1 ½-day event represent pet food processing manufacturers, industry associations and supplier companies. Other subject matter experts from the fields of animal nutrition, food safety, consumer research, supply chain logistics and academia will share their knowledge on stage.
“I’m thrilled to speak at the Pet Food Processing Exchange because the event is an awesome opportunity to bring our industry together, especially with so many key processors and co-manufacturers attending right here in ‘Pet Producer Alley,’” said Allison Reser, director of Sustainability and Innovation at the Pet Sustainability Coalition (PSC). “PSC knows there are companies in attendance that are navigating the evolving landscape of sustainability — and I want to help. I’m looking forward to engaging with this community and discussing how we can collectively drive progress.”
The Pet Food Processing Exchange will kick off Monday, Oct. 20 at 8:00 a.m. with an opening session led by Frank Niles, Ph.D., principal of Business Transformation at BSM Partners. His session, “Turning Turnover into Tenure: Build a Strong Team that Stays and Wins” will address how building a strong work culture and investing in leadership training can help reduce turnover and keep a workplace strong. Next, Kean will share his insights about product development and innovation in his session, “The Innovation Challenge: Putting the Consumer and Pet at the Center of Product Design.”
Reser will guide event attendees on their “Quest for Sustainable Packaging.” Her session will translate key sustainability initiatives into achievable action items, focusing on the role of packaging in creating a more sustainable future. Jim Ritchie, chief executive officer of RedStone Logistics and instructor at the University of Kansas School of Business, will round out the morning with a presentation titled, “Supply Chain Logistics and Industry Economics.”
Monday afternoon will kick off with Marcial Guevara, Ph.D., global senior technical product manager for Pets at Novonesis speaking about the emerging ingredients that are pre-, pro- and postbiotics in his session titled, “Biotic Ingredients and their Influence on Pet Wellness.” Lindsay Meyers, vice president of Quality, Nutrition and Compliance at Primal Pet Foods, will share how food safety, quality and compliance can work together to strengthen a pet food processing operation in “Prioritizing Food Safety, Quality and Compliance.”
Day One of the Pet Food Processing Exchange will culminate with the State of the Industry panel as leaders from the pet food and treat industry share their perspectives about hot topics, from labor shortages and immigration issues to food safety concerns and evolving ingredient and labeling regulations. Michael Johnson, principal at BSM Partners, will lead the discussion featuring expert panelists including Jim Holdrieth, CEO of Muenster Pet; Jeff Meyers, director of Business Intelligence for Chuck Latham Associates; and Turner.
Manufacturers are exploring alternative protein ingredients, including fermented, cultured and insect proteins in their pet food formulations. In the opening session on Day Two of the Exchange, a panel of industry experts will share their insights about these innovative ingredients being used to formulate the “Pet Food of the Future.” The panel will include Rich Kelleman, CEO and founder of Bond Pet Foods; Shannon Falconer, Ph.D., CEO and founder of BioCraft Pet Nutrition; and Adam Mutschler, co-founder and chief strategy officer of Archway Pet Food.
Next, processors will learn how personalized pet nutrition is reshaping how pet parents feed their companions as Tara Zedayko, chief scientific officer at Ollie, speaks about “Making it Personal: The Future of Tailored Pet Nutrition.”
Mary-Grace Danao, Ph.D., associate professor at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, will then discuss how high-pressure processing (HPP) technology is offering a proven solution to ensure product safety when it comes to raw, frozen and freeze-dried pet food in her session, “Under Pressure: HPP and Pet Food.” Next, Dana Waters, director of International Affairs at the Pet Food Institute, will share information about the top markets for US pet food and treat exports and highlight how US processors can prepare themselves to expand their reach around the globe in “Going Global.”
Wrapping up the 1 ½ day event, Jon Copeland, research manager at MarketPlace, will talk about the “Pet Parents of Today and Tomorrow.” The final session of the Exchange will explore key trends, backed by industry data, to reveal how these shifts are influencing the development, marketing and distribution strategies of pet food companies.
“I’m looking forward to meaningful dialogue with peers who are equally passionate about advancing pet food innovation,” Kean said. “I hope to gain fresh perspectives on emerging science, consumer insights and regulatory developments that are shaping our industry.”
Attendees will also have the opportunity to connect with speakers and other industry professionals during breakfast, lunch and networking breaks each day and at the cocktail reception following Monday’s presentations.
“PFP created a unique event and space for industry professionals to learn, share ideas, and get to know one another in a comfortable and convenient space,” Turner said. “I look forward to joining again in 2025.”
For more information about the Pet Food Processing Exchange agenda, speakers and activities surrounding the event, visit petfoodprocessingexchange.net.
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