Dates for the fifth annual Pet Industry Leadership Conference, now known as the Pet Industry Leadership Summit or The Summit, have been released along with some details about the 2020 event. The Summit is co-hosted by three pet industry associations: the American Pet Products Association (APPA), Pet Industry Distributors Association (PIDA), and World Pet Association (WPA). The Pet Industry Joint Advisory Council (PIJAC) is an elite sponsor of the event.

The Summit will take place Jan. 13 to 15 at Rancho Bernardo Inn in San Diego, California. PIDA described the event as an opportunity for “networking and problem-solving, not selling.” Members of APPA, PIDA, WPA and PIJAC are invited to register for the event beginning September 2019.

The leadership conference will include a panel discussion on “The Omnichannel Supply Chain – Competing in a Brave New World” on Tuesday, Jan. 14. Panelists include Alice Tillett, CEO of Petmate, Todd Shelton, CEO of Phillips Pet Food & Supplies, and Corey Rosenbusch, CEO of Global Cold Chain Alliance.

Tuesday, Jan. 14 will feature two breakout sessions: “Pet Trends for the Taking,” featuring Michael Johnson with FINN CADY Marketing & Professional Services, followed by “Transparency in the Age of Radical Activism: What the Pet Industry Should Know,” presented by Hinda Mitchell with Inspire PR Group.

Two more breakout sessions will be held Wednesday, Jan. 15: “Advocating with the Underdog Edge,” presented by Amy Showalter with The Showalter Group, followed by “The Myths and Realities of Pet Industry Mergers and Acquisitions,” featuring Carol Frank with BirdsEye Advisory Group, LLC.

PIDA will also hold executive conferences on Tuesday and Wednesday during The Summit 2020, providing manufacturers and distributors the opportunity to meet one-on-one to discuss strategic business relationships, new marketing initiatives and other industry topics.

The Summit 2020 will also host three keynote speakers focusing on leadership and the economy’s impact on the pet industry. Robyn Benincasa, founder of World Class Teams will speak on how leaders can persist through change and challenges. Brian Beaulieu, speaker and CEO of ITR Economics, will present on “Managing for Growth in an Uncertain Economy,” and Rich Karlgaard, publisher for Forbes Media, will lead a discussion titled, “Trump, Tech, Trade, Turbulence and the 2020 Election.”

Networking events at The Summit 2020 include a golf tournament, a photo caravan tour of San Diego Safari Park, an opening buffet dinner as well as a closing buffet dinner.

For more news from associations representing the pet food space, visit our Associations and Agencies page.