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SUPERZOO 2024: The Ultimate Pet Retail Gathering Kicks Off Next Week in Las Vegas

North America’s largest pet retail event offers three days of dynamic networking, business-savvy education, and today’s latest and greatest product debuts

From Aug. 14 to 16, more than 18,000 pet professionals from around the world will converge at the Mandalay Bay Convention Center in Las Vegas for SUPERZOO 2024, North America’s most comprehensive pet product marketplace. This highly anticipated event promises an unparalleled experience, featuring a vast trade show floor with over 1,100 exhibitors, including 85+ emerging brands and over 1,000 products making their debut. Attendees will have the unique opportunity to engage in over 65 expert-led education sessions, network with industry leaders, and discover the cutting-edge innovations shaping the future of pet care.

“We are excited to kick off SUPERZOO 2024 next week and bring together the brightest minds and most passionate professionals in the pet retail industry,” stated Mike Karsting, SVP for the World Pet Association. “This year’s event is set to enrich attendees with an exciting mix of exhibitors, interactive education sessions, and invaluable networking opportunities. Our goal is to create a vibrant environment that sparks innovation, fosters growth, and builds a strong sense of community among all participants.”

SUPERZOO 2024 FEATURES & HIGHLIGHTS

Trade Show Floor: Showcasing the Latest in Pet Products and Innovations

The SUPERZOO 2024 trade show floor is set to be an expansive showcase of the pet industry’s finest. Spanning over 330,000 square feet—equivalent to more than five football fields—this curated space will feature over 1,100 exhibitors, each presenting their latest products and innovations. Attendees will have the opportunity to explore diverse areas tailored to specific interests, connect with industry leaders, and stay ahead of the latest trends. The show floor will include:

  • New Product Showcase: Over 1,100 new and exciting products in pet retail will be on display. A panel of eight industry experts will select winners in each of the 10 different product categories on Aug. 14.
  • Emerging Brands: Innovative products from 85+ industry newcomers and early-stage startups.
  • Natural and Health: Health and wellness products, from supplements to treats, chews, and organic foods.
  • Specialty and Lifestyle: Accessories for pets, including handmade leashes, stylish collars, and plush toys.
  • Live Animals: For the small but mighty — products designed for the care of aquatic animals, birds, reptiles and other small pets.
  • Farm and Feed: Supplies for everyone from commercial ranchers to urban farmers.
  • Groomer’s Marketplace: High-quality shears, clippers, styling products, and other grooming essentials.
  • International Pavilion: Products from China, Brazil, and other countries, providing insights into international perspectives.

Expert-led Education: Elevating Pet Professionals

SUPERZOO will offer an extensive education program tailored to meet the specific goals of pet professionals, featuring over 65 sessions led by both new and returning industry experts. Specialized tracks for retailers and groomers enable attendees to focus on the topics that matter most to their roles and businesses. The education sessions will take place on Tuesday and Wednesday, providing ample opportunities for attendees to deepen their knowledge in their areas of interest. Exclusive content and unique learning opportunities will be available in special sessions on Thursday. Highlights include:

Key Sessions

  • The Future of Pet Care: A comprehensive look at innovations, trends, and opportunities in the pet care industry.
  • AI Marketing Magic: Exploring the power of prompt engineering for enhancing pet business marketing strategies.
  • Turning Feedback into Opportunities: Navigating Negative Customer Reviews: A conversation on valuable tactics to help navigate negative feedback from customers across various platforms, including social media and online reviews.
  • ‘Play Well,’ Animal Enrichment Developing as a Category: Join this panel of experts, moderated by Purina’s Dr. Anne Valuska, Principal Scientist, to discuss the industry’s budding category.

Key Panel Discussions

  • Why Have LIVE Animals: Examining the benefits and challenges of featuring live animals in retail settings.
  • Women in the Pet Industry: Celebrating the contributions and experiences of women in the pet sector.
  • From Likes to Loyalty: Influencer Marketing for the Pet Industry: Analyzing the impact of influencers on driving retail sales.
  • Pet Industry Analysis by NIQ: Presenting an in-depth analysis of current trends and consumer preferences in the pet industry.

Attendees can also benefit from Free Show Floor Talks, which will provide practical business insights and actionable takeaways on a variety of subjects, including e-commerce strategies, digital marketing expertise, grooming techniques and trends, startup fundraising, social media marketing, and more.

Networking and Special Events: Building Industry Connections

SUPERZOO 2024 will offer a variety of networking events, special features, and contests designed to foster connections and recognize talent within the pet retail community.

  • Beach Party: The SUPERZOO Beach Party, sponsored by Hill’s, will be held on Thursday, Aug. 15. This event provides an opportunity for attendees to network, enjoy refreshments and food, and celebrate with peers in the pet professional community.
  • Relaxation Lounges: Attendees can relax in new chill zones where there’s food/drink available for purchase and entertainment to enjoy. Visit the Live Music & Lunch Lounge (sponsored by Tuesday’s Natural Dog Company), yumHub Lounge (sponsored by NERF DOG), Snack Lounge (sponsored by ADM), and the Groomer’s Snack Lounge (sponsored by HICC PET). These lounges offer a setting for informal networking and breaks from the show floor.
  • Young Pet Professional Networking Event: The Young Pet Professional Networking event will take place at the Live Music & Lunch Lounge on Aug. 16, from 1 pm – 2 pm.
  • Grooming Contests: Pet-styling professionals will compete for over $36,000 in prizes across multiple divisions for breed classes and special awards, showcasing their creativity and expertise.

Karsting added, “SUPERZOO is more than just an event; it’s a community where pet professionals come together to share knowledge, inspire one another, and drive the industry forward. We look forward to welcoming attendees to this year’s show and celebrating the incredible advancements and collaborations in the pet retail community.”

For more information and to register, visit SUPERZOO.org. Connect with SUPERZOO online on Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn.

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About SUPERZOO

SUPERZOO boasts the most buyer participation of any trade show for the pet retail industry in North America. SUPERZOO provides pet retail and industry professionals with leading-edge education and access to the most comprehensive array of market-ready products for retailers to competitively differentiate themselves. For the ninth consecutive year, SUPERZOO has grown in exhibitor space and square footage and has been listed among Trade Show Executive’s “Gold 100” trade events since 2014. Produced by World Pet Association (WPA), this annual event attracts retailers, product suppliers and service providers. For more information: www.SUPERZOO.org.  

About World Pet Association

Founded in 1950, World Pet Association (WPA) is the pet industry’s oldest nonprofit organization. WPA connects and informs pet professionals through industry-defining trade shows SUPERZOO and GROOM’D (formerly Atlanta Pet Fair and Conference). Through WPA’s Good Works program, proceeds from these events are funneled back into key industry organizations and nonprofits with the goal of making it easier for pet industry professionals to do business. WPA’s mission is to support the business needs of pet retailers and to promote responsible growth and development of the pet industry by providing thought leadership on consumer and legislative issues; leading efforts in the public sector to inform consumers and ensure safe, healthy lifestyles for all animals; and providing business resources, education, content and services to ensure pet product retailers have the support they need to be competitive. For more information about WPA, visit www.worldpetassociation.org.