Key facts
- The third annual Pet Food Processing Exchange is scheduled for September 29 - October 1, 2026.
- The event will be held at the InterContinental Kansas City at the Plaza.
- The forum focuses on providing educational sessions and networking opportunities for the pet food and treat industry.
- Topics will include AI, supply chain challenges, regulatory compliance, and consumer trends.
- Several industry associations are supporting the event.
The third annual Pet Food Processing Exchange is scheduled to take place from September 29 to October 1, 2026, at the InterContinental Kansas City at the Plaza. Organized by Pet Food Processing magazine and Sosland Publishing Co., the event is designed as a one-and-a-half-day educational and networking forum for professionals in the pet food and treat industry.
The forum aims to equip attendees with insights and solutions to address challenges in production, innovation, and sourcing. The agenda will feature expert-led sessions and panel discussions covering a range of topics, including artificial intelligence, recall readiness, capital investments, trade barriers, emerging production technologies, regenerative agriculture, animal disease threats, supply chain issues, and evolving consumer trends.
Attendees will include professionals from manufacturing, animal nutrition, ingredient development, food science, product development, regulatory affairs, food safety, and processing and packaging technologies. The event emphasizes fostering professional connections and providing practical knowledge that can be applied immediately. Past attendees have described the event as inspiring, with insightful conversations and opportunities to connect with industry leaders.
Several industry associations are supporting the event, including the Pet Sustainability Coalition, the Food Production Solutions Association and its Pet Food Council, and the Pet Food Institute, which is joining as a new affiliate partner for 2026. Members of these associations are eligible for registration discounts. Registration for the Pet Food Processing Exchange is currently open, with the full agenda available online.