BOULDER, COLO. — The Pet Sustainability Coalition’s (PSC) 2021 Impact Unleashed virtual conference kicks off tomorrow at 8:30 a.m. MST (9:30 a.m. CDT), offering several opportunities to learn from and network with sustainable pet industry leaders over the course of two days.

The conference will run from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. MST on Tuesday, Oct. 12, and from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. MST on Wednesday, Oct. 13. The event was originally scheduled as a hybrid in-person and virtual conference but, due to continued COVID-19 concerns and travel restrictions, PSC has opted to take Impact Unleashed fully online again this year.

The organization expects more than 500 pet care industry professionals to attend Impact Unleashed 2021. To help attendees plan participation around their daily work schedules, PSC has released the schedule of events taking place during the conference.

Tuesday, Oct. 12

Caitlyn Dudas, co-founder and executive director of PSC, will kick off the conference with opening comments and inspiration at 8:30 a.m. on Tuesday. She will serve as MC throughout the conference, introducing speakers and topics.

From 9 to 10 a.m.,  a leader from Dr. Bronners will give the keynote address. Dr. Bronners is a soap and body care company.

From 10 to 10:45 a.m., PSC will host a networking session, followed by a break until 11 a.m.

From 11 to 11:35 a.m., a panel of pet industry experts representing Royal Canin, Earth Animal and Only Natural Pet will discuss “Diversity, Equity and Inclusion programs for businesses of all sizes.” Advocating for DEI across the pet industry has recently become a key focus of PSC.

From 12 to 1 p.m., three companies — West Paw, Alltech and Petco — will each give brief presentations to detail their positive impacts and inspirations drawn from the support they have received as PSC members. This will be followed by a panel discussion and Q&A session.

From 1 to 1:30 p.m., Ashley Lane of PSC will introduce the organization’s brand-new logo and discuss its four-step accreditation process. This will be followed by another networking session until 2:15 p.m., and a break until 3 p.m. afterward.

To close the day, PSC leaders will “Party with a Purpose” from 3 to 3:45 p.m. The annual awards ceremony and fundraising event will feature a virtual bar and live virtual performances from across the United States. PSC will also announce the recipient of its 2021 Earth Hero award.

Wednesday, Oct. 13

Impact Unleash will begin again Wednesday morning at 7 a.m. MST with an international networking session. This session will break attendees into smaller groups based on their departments and responsibilities.

Dudas will welcome back attendees in her day-two opening remarks at 9 a.m. on Wednesday, reflecting on the previous day’s conversations and previewing upcoming topics and speakers.

From 9:15 to 10 a.m., PSC will host a workshop on “Deconstructing Equity with The Equity Project, LLC,” in which attendees will be able to discuss the definitions of diversity, equity and inclusion, and how those concepts can be applied to their own companies and jobs.

From 10 to 10:40 a.m., a representative of WeSpire will present on “The Global Labor Shortage and Purpose at Work.” This will be followed by another networking session until 11:45 a.m.

At 12 p.m., a member of the Global Animal Partnership (GAP) will present on sustainable protein sourcing. Directly following, there will be a panel discussion on building “Ethical Chicken Supply Chains” with help from GAP-certified suppliers and brands.

From 1 to 1:30 p.m., Textile Exchange and the Upcycled Food Association will present on “Collaboration in Action,” a topic that will uncover how industries can partner on sustainability initiatives that are “too large for a single company to solve on their own.”

Dudas will share closing remarks from 1:30 to 2 p.m.

View the full Impact Unleashed 2021 schedule on the Pet Sustainability Coalition website, and register for the event here.

Read more about pet food and treat industry events.