Did you know over half (59%) of British households owns a pet? It’s great news for pet product manufacturers and this undoubtedly huge industry is evolving fast. Pet industry trade events, shows and exhibitions are a great way to keep up with trends and innovations as well as meet those all-important customers and partners in the sector.
In 2020/21, 33% of UK households owned a pet dog, compared to 27% who owned cats, and 2% who owned rabbits. In 2020, the pet food market in the UK was valued at £2.9 billion with dog food on top valuing around £1.4 billion. In 2019, Mintel analysts surveyed 2,000 pet owners in the UK. Their results suggest that changing societal priorities alter pet food trends. For instance, 43% of dog food buyers believe it’s healthier to limit the amount of red meat eaten by pets, than not limit it at all and 34% believe it’s good for pets to regularly have a plant-based meal instead of a meat-based one.
Keeping abreast of all these changes can be daunting but the plethora of pet industry trade shows and events offer much insight and practical tools, as well as great networking opportunities. We’ve curated a small selection focused on the pet product industry.
Pet industry trade shows – September 2021
PATS 2021
PATS promises over 200 exhibitors and thousands of products at the upcoming September event. Industry experts are on hand to offer insights and solutions to topical issues facing the pet trade, including trends and advice for those in the industry. Expect seminars, dog grooming and products from exhibitors including 4Dogs, ACE antlers, Adios Plastic, All About Pet Health and Botanica.
“A great launch pad to huge sales for manufacturers and for retailers a place to see what is new and exciting.”
26-27 September, Telford
Visit the PATS website
November 2021
Discover Dogs
Organised by the same team as Crufts, Discover Dogs provides a fantastic day out for dog-loving families with up to 200 different breeds in attendance and plenty to keep the kids occupied. It offers a great opportunity to reach an audience of thousands of dog enthusiasts in a friendly environment.
20-21 November, ExCel, London
Visit the website
January 2022
AHDA 2022 Conference
AHDA offers a two-day packed programme of speakers from the animal health and welfare industry, covering both farm animal and companion animal topics. Alongside the extensive speaker programme there’s an exhibition hall with around 50 stands from leading animal health companies including veterinary medicines manufacturers and suppliers as well as the VMD, AMTRA, COWS and SCOPS.
Workshops topics cover the future of retailing, communicating with customers, anthelmintic resistance, biosecurity, red meat production, domestic and farm animals Exhibitors include Animax, Bimeda, Farmsense, Provita and more.
12th-13th January, Birmingham Hilton Metropole, NEC
Visit website
GlobalPETS Forum 2022
GlobalPETS is a leading networking event for decision makers in the pet industry, limited to 250 executives for optimal networking. The three day programme includes a tour of Prins Petfoods’ experience centre, expert speakers, an award ceremony and, of course, plenty of networking.
Speakers include David Robinson from Pets at Home (UK), Cate Trotter from Insider Trends (UK), Cor Hospes from Merkjournalisten (NL) and Jodi Watson, pet retail expert (former SVP PetCo, US).
19th-21st January, Hotel Huis ter Duin (Amsterdam beach – Noordwijk)
Visit website
February 2022
Animal Health, Nutrition & Technology Innovation
A virtual event, AHIE promises to showcase exciting investment opportunities globally and connect businesses with investors and strategic corporate partners. Their mission: “to engage all key participants in the value chain so we can address the full scope of how animal health impacts pet owners, veterinarians, and farmers today.”
This round offers a significantly expanded programme with focused content over four separate innovation showcases in health, nutrition, and technology, alongside production and virtual networking.
Speakers include Kristin Peck, CEO of Zoetis, Christine Middlemiss, UK Chief Veterinary Officer at DEFRA, Dirk Ehle, Head of Bayer Animal Health, Jason Clay, Senior VP of World Wildlife Fund and many more.
21st-23rd February, London (virtual event)
Visit website
March 2022
PATS 2022
Information tbc – see September 2021 PATS (above).
27th-28th March, Sandown, UK
Visit website
May 2022
Interzoo 2022
Interzoo is a truly global gathering. In 2018 there were 1,990 exhibitors from 66 countries and around 39,000 trade visitors, making it the biggest international trade fair for pet supplies. This time, 971 exhibitors including manufacturers, wholesalers and service providers will be in attendance. Expect innovation and the latest trends in equestrian sports, pet food technology, shop fittings, IT systems and products for dogs, cats, small mammals, birds, aquaria and terraria.
24-27 May, Exhibition Center, Nuremberg, Germany
Visit website
August 2022
Edition Dog Live
Edition Dog Live is a dog-friendly family show which offers an educational and interactive day out while focusing on a holistic approach to dog health, wellbeing and nutrition.
Expect demos and performances, live cooking, rare dog breeds, meet and greets, a grooming hub and a kids zone. Interactive sessions include canine massage, yoga, meditation, canicross, agility, canine nutrition, holistic grooming, training sessions, canine first aid and more.
28th August, NAEC, Stoneleigh, UK
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