The pet industry has witnessed exponential growth over the past decade, driven by increasing pet ownership and the humanization of pets. As a result, private equity firms are keenly eyeing opportunities within this burgeoning sector. Conferences dedicated to dealmaking in the pet industry have become pivotal platforms for networking, learning, and exploring potential investments. In 2025, several top conferences are set to provide invaluable insights and opportunities for stakeholders in the pet industry. Below is a curated list of the top pet industry conferences for dealmaking in 2025.
Top Pet Industry Conferences for Dealmaking in 2025
- Global Pet Expo 2025
Location: Orlando, Florida, United States
Date: March 26–28, 2025
Website: https://www.globalpetexpo.org/
Description: Held at the Orange County Convention Center, the Global Pet Expo is North America’s largest annual pet products trade show, featuring thousands of exhibitors across food, treats, toys, accessories, and health products. Attendees can explore cutting-edge innovations, attend educational seminars, and network with top manufacturers, retailers, and distributors. For private equity firms, this event is an invaluable opportunity to identify emerging pet-care brands with high growth potential, assess product-market fit in real time, and build relationships with founders seeking growth capital. Gathering insights on consumer trends and competitive landscapes here can drive informed due diligence and targeted acquisition strategies.
- SUPERZOO 2025
Location: Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Date: August 13–15, 2025
Website: https://www.superzoo.org/
Description: Hosted at Mandalay Bay Convention Center, SuperZoo is North America’s premier pet retail event, showcasing the latest in pet food, supplies, grooming, and technology. The show features product launches, retail-focused educational sessions, and networking for independent and chain retailers. Private equity investors can leverage SuperZoo to scout fast-growing specialty brands, evaluate shelf appeal and pricing strategies, and connect directly with entrepreneurs exploring growth capital. The concentrated assembly of retailers and suppliers provides PE firms with a firsthand look at distribution channels, enabling identification of roll-up opportunities and potential partnerships to accelerate post-investment expansion.
- Pet Fair Asia 2025
Location: Shanghai, China
Date: August 20–24, 2025
Website: https://en.petfairasia.com/
Description: Taking place at the Shanghai New International Expo Centre, Pet Fair Asia is one of the largest pet industry exhibitions in Asia, drawing manufacturers, distributors, and buyers from across the Asia Pacific region. This event covers pet food, aquatics, small animals, and supplies, with a focus on innovations in nutrition, health, and lifestyle products. For private equity firms targeting China’s rapidly expanding pet market, Pet Fair Asia offers direct access to both domestic and international brands seeking market entry or expansion capital. Attendees can assess regulatory developments, spot early-stage disruptors in premium pet care, and forge relationships for future joint ventures or acquisitions.
- ZOOMARK International 2025
Location: Bologna, Italy
Date: May 05–07, 2025
Website: https://www.zoomark.it/en/home/2804.html
Description: Hosted at BolognaFiere, ZOOMARK International is Europe’s leading B2B trade show for pet products, featuring thousands of exhibitors from over 70 countries. The event highlights everything from pet food, housing, and accessories to grooming and veterinary equipment. Attendees benefit from conferences on emerging European regulatory standards and consumer preferences. Private equity firms can use ZOOMARK to evaluate European brands with scalable distribution potential, understand regional supply chain dynamics, and meet founders seeking strategic investment. Exposure to Eurozone market insights, combined with networking at ZOOMARK, helps PE investors identify businesses ready for cross-border growth or new market entry.
- All About Pets Show 2025
Location: Mississauga, Ontario, Canada
Date: June 14–15, 2025
Website: https://allaboutpetshow.ca/
Description: Taking place at Port Credit Memorial Park, the All About Pets Show is a consumer-focused event featuring live demonstrations, product exhibits, and educational seminars on pet care, nutrition, and training. While primarily B2C, the show also attracts regional pet retailers and local distributors seeking new products. For private equity firms, this conference provides a clear view of grassroots consumer demand, enabling the identification of promising Canadian pet brands and service providers. Engaging directly with entrepreneurs and local industry contacts here can inform investment theses in specialty retail, grooming, and service-oriented platforms targeting the Canadian market, laying groundwork for future growth capital deployment.
- PATS – Pet & Aquatics Trade Show 2025
Location: Birmingham, United Kingdom
Date: September 28–30, 2025
Website: https://www.patshow.co.uk/
Description: Hosted at the National Exhibition Centre (NEC), PATS – Pet & Aquatics Trade Show is the leading UK event for pet care and aquatics products. Featuring hundreds of exhibitors showcasing pet food, accessories, aquarium equipment, and live demonstrations, PATS provides insights into European market trends and regulatory shifts. Private equity firms can leverage PATS to evaluate emerging UK and European brands, understand distribution networks, and meet founders seeking investment. By observing in-market consumer preferences and networking with regional distributors, PE investors can identify consolidation opportunities and potential buy-and-build targets within the European pet sector.
- Petfood Forum 2025
Location: Kansas City, Missouri, United States
Date: April 28–30, 2025
Website: https://www.petfoodforumevents.com/attend/
Description: Taking place at the Kansas City Convention Center, the Petfood Forum is the premier global conference for the pet food and pet treat industries. Featuring technical sessions on nutrition, regulatory updates, and manufacturing innovations, it attracts ingredient suppliers, formulators, and industry executives. Private equity investors can utilize this forum to identify new product formulations, assess cost structures, and meet early-stage companies developing novel ingredients or sustainable packaging. The event’s networking sessions enable PE firms to evaluate potential acquisitions and partnerships that address evolving consumer preferences for health-focused and environmentally friendly pet food options.
- Pets Canada Industry Show 2025
Location: Calgary, Alberta, Canada
Date: April 13–14, 2025
Website: https://petscanada.org/
Description: Hosted at the Calgary Stampede grounds, the Pets Canada Industry Show (formerly known as the PIJAC Canada National Pet Industry Trade Show) is Canada’s national trade event for the pet industry, featuring exhibitors across pet food, grooming, veterinary services, and accessories. Industry professionals attend seminars on regulatory compliance, retail trends, and product development. Private equity firms can leverage this show to identify high-growth Canadian brands, evaluate national distribution channels, and connect with founders exploring expansion capital. By understanding the Canadian regulatory landscape and consumer preferences, investors can target acquisitions or partnerships that capitalize on Canada’s growing pet services and artisan-food segments.
- China International Pet Show (CIPS) 2025
Location: Guangzhou, China
Date: November 13–16, 2025
Website: https://en.cipscom.com/
Description: Located at the China Import and Export Fair Complex, CIPS is Asia’s most influential annual pet industry event, bringing together thousands of exhibitors and buyers from across the globe. The show covers pet food, supplies, accessories, and services, and features forums on market trends, e-commerce strategies, and regulatory developments. For private equity firms seeking entry into China’s booming pet sector, CIPS provides direct access to domestic manufacturers and potential distribution partners. By attending, investors can evaluate domestic brand innovation, gauge consumer demand in different regions, and build relationships that facilitate joint ventures or cross-border investments.
- PET South America 2025
Location: São Paulo, Brazil
Date: August 13–15, 2025
Website: http://www.petsa.com.br/
Description: Held at Anhembi District, PET South America is the largest trade show for the Latin American pet industry, featuring exhibitors in pet food, accessories, veterinary services, and grooming. The event includes technical seminars on nutrition, market research, and retail strategies tailored to Latin America. Private equity firms can use PET South America to assess market entry opportunities, evaluate local supply chains, and identify fast-growing regional brands. Connections made here enable PE investors to understand consumer behaviors in Brazil and neighboring countries, uncover strategic acquisition targets, and forge partnerships for scaling businesses across Latin America.
- Pet Fair South East Asia 2025
Location: Bangkok, Thailand
Date: October 29–31, 2025
Website: https://petfair-sea.com/
Description: Located at the Bangkok International Trade & Exhibition Centre (BITEC), Pet Fair South East Asia showcases products and services for pets, aquatics, and equine industries across the region. The show attracts manufacturers, distributors, and retailers from Southeast Asia, offering seminars on regional regulations, e-commerce trends, and pet wellness. For private equity firms focused on Southeast Asia, this event provides firsthand insights into market dynamics, consumer preferences, and emerging brands. Networking with local and regional stakeholders enables investors to identify potential roll-up opportunities, assess cross-border expansion strategies, and discover early-stage companies needing growth capital.
Beneficial Impact of the Pet Industry on the Economy
The pet industry plays a significant role in the global economy, contributing billions of dollars annually. This sector encompasses a wide range of products and services, including pet food, veterinary care, grooming, and pet insurance. The industry's growth has led to job creation and innovation, driving economic development. Private equity investments in the pet industry have facilitated the expansion of businesses, enabling them to reach new markets and improve their offerings. As consumer spending on pets continues to rise, the pet industry remains a robust and resilient sector, offering lucrative opportunities for investors and contributing to economic stability.
Challenges Faced by the Pet Industry
Despite its growth, the pet industry faces several challenges. Regulatory changes, particularly concerning pet food safety and animal welfare, require companies to adapt swiftly to maintain compliance. Additionally, the industry must navigate the complexities of supply chain disruptions, which can impact the availability and cost of raw materials. The increasing competition within the sector also poses a challenge, as companies strive to differentiate themselves in a crowded market. Furthermore, the evolving preferences of pet owners, who demand higher quality and more sustainable products, necessitate continuous innovation and adaptation. Addressing these challenges is crucial for the sustained growth and success of businesses within the pet industry.
Conclusion
The pet industry conferences in 2025 present a unique opportunity for private equity firms and other stakeholders to engage with industry leaders, explore investment opportunities, and gain insights into the latest trends and challenges. As the pet industry continues to grow and evolve, these conferences serve as vital platforms for fostering collaboration and driving innovation. By understanding the beneficial impact of the pet industry on the economy and addressing the challenges it faces, investors and businesses can position themselves for success in this dynamic and rewarding sector.
