ARLINGTON, VA. — The American Feed Industry Association (AFIA) has opened registration for its annual Pet Food Conference (PFC), which will occur on Jan. 28, in conjunction with the International Production & Processing Expo (IPPE) in Atlanta. The conference will be held at the Thomas B. Murphy Ballroom at the Georgia World Congress Center. 

AFIA’s PFC unites hundreds of professionals in the pet nutrition industry, providing insights on emerging trends, regulatory updates and the newest research. 

“We are thrilled to bring together a dynamic lineup of speakers for this year’s Pet Food Conference,” said Louise Calderwood, director of regulatory affairs at AFIA. “The diverse agenda will provide attendees with insights on topics ranging from innovative marketing trends to important regulatory updates, ensuring everyone will gain valuable knowledge to navigate the ever-evolving pet food landscape.”

The conference will begin at 7 a.m. and conclude at 4 p.m. ET. 

Speakers for this year’s event include: 

  • Michael Johnson, principal of consumer strategy at BSM Partners, who will provide insights on marketing trends in the pet food industry
  • Rich Kelleman, chief executive officer of Bond Pet Foods, who will discuss the usage of brewed proteins in pet food products
  • Erin Perry, Ph.D., professor at Southern Illinois University, who will talk about working dog nutrition and opportunities for the industry
  • Lara Moody, executive director of the Institute for Feed Education and Research (IFEEDER), who will share data on pet food consumption in the United States

Additionally, the day-long conference will cover regulatory updates from the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO). The AFIA will also present the Friend of Pet Food Award.

The AFIA is currently seeking pet food research submissions from undergraduate, graduate and post-doctoral students. Selected submissions will present their research during the conference. Submissions are due Nov. 4. 

Learn more and register for PFC 2025.  

Read more about pet food and treat industry events.