Reviewing SuperZoo and Looking Ahead to Pet Connect

About this episode

Poppy Howard-Wall discusses trends from SuperZoo and the upcoming Pet Connect summit with Peter Kenseth.

Fresh from her first SuperZoo experience, Pet Connect Event Director Poppy Howard-Wall joins Peter to discuss the trends reshaping our industry. From the "Year of the Cat" finally materializing to the continued evolution away from traditional kibble, this conversation reveals what 20,000+ attendees and three Home Depots worth of exhibition space taught a strategic conference organizer. We dive deep into the strategic divergence between brands doubling down on independent pet retail versus those pivoting to direct-to-consumer models—exemplified by Stella & Chewy's surprising absence from SuperZoo's massive floor. Plus, discover how Pet Connect's December 2-4 Beverly Hills summit serves as a strategic bridge between major trade shows, featuring their new "Next 25" program identifying industry disruptors. Key topics covered: SuperZoo's scale vs. Pet Connect's strategic intimacy Cat innovation white space opportunities The freeze-dried inclusion trend in kibble Distribution strategy tensions post-COVID Pet Connect's three-track programming for 2025 Whether you're navigating industry relationships or seeking strategic connections beyond traditional trade show…

People in this episode

Host: Peter Kenseth

Guest: Poppy Howard-Wall

Topics covered

• SuperZoo
• Pet Connect
• pet industry trends
• independent pet retail
• direct-to-consumer models
• cat innovation
• distribution strategies

Keywords

• SuperZoo
• Pet Connect
• pet industry
• kibble
• cat innovation
• distribution strategy
• trade shows
• independent retail
• direct-to-consumer

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Stella & Chewy, Pet Connect, SuperZoo

Places: Beverly Hills

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