Petfood Forum 2026 Highlights Innovation, AI and Evolving Consumer Trends

(PRESS RELEASE) KANSAS CITY, MO — “Pet owner expectations reflect human lifestyle trends, not traditional pet aisles,” said Ryan Estis, a globally recognized leadership expert, during the Wednesday eye-opener session of Petfood Forum 2026, which drew thousands of professionals from across the global pet food supply chain to Kansas City, Missouri, April 27-29.

Discussions around personalization, AI-enabled automation and evolving pet owner expectations dominated the event’s expanded conference and exhibition programming, spotlighting the consumer trends and technologies reshaping the industry.

The annual conference and exhibition featured hands-on, insight-driven programming designed to spark collaboration, innovation and industry growth. Attendees explored new developments in ingredients, packaging, processing and food safety through live demonstrations, product samplings and interactive exhibits from 375 exhibiting companies.

“Petfood Forum provides a 360-degree view of the pet food industry,” said Steve Akins, executive vice president, global petfood and events, with WATT Global Media. “Every aspect, from the educational sessions to the trade show, is dedicated to advancing the manufacturing of pet food that meets changing consumer demands.”

The interactive show floor featured the Petfood Tech Talk Stage, where 24 technologies and applications highlighted advancements in pet food production. Graduate students from multiple universities participated in the Future of Petfood Pavilion, presenting the latest research in pet food and companion animals.

The Women in Petfood Leadership program emphasized connection, mentorship and career development, and included a well-attended evening reception that encouraged candid conversations and relationship-building.

Petfood Forum once again reinforced its commitment to giving back by partnering with nonprofit organizations PawsAbilities and Polk County Humane Society (PCHS). Students from Missouri State University’s companion animal research program worked with five puppies from PCHS ahead of the event, all of which were adopted during the show.

Beyond the exhibition floor, more than 30 global experts presented new research and insights on topics including 5 pet food trends leading innovation, canine stress management through the gut-brain axis, digital auditing to improve quality, 4 strategies to retrofit legacy pet food plants, and more.

“Every part of this event is designed to be engaging and thought-provoking,” said Akins. “You don’t just hear about what’s next, you interact with it.”

Petfood Forum is organized and hosted by Petfood Industry. Both are owned by WATT Global Media. WATT Global Media has a proven track record of accelerating business growth for agrifood and pet food businesses for over 100 years. Our extensive portfolio of industry events and media brands provides access to market expertise, engaged audiences, and targeted strategies that drive successful connections in the poultry, feed, grain, and pet food industries. Contact us for custom marketing solutions served through innovative technologies and delivery channels.