ARLINGTON, VA. — The American Feed Industry Association (AFIA) announced July 30 it will be accepting nominations for its annual Friend of Pet Food Award through Sept. 18.

The award, which was first introduced in 2019, will be presented at the 2021 Pet Food Conference coinciding with the International Production & Processing Expo (IPPE) on Jan. 26, 2021.

“There are many professionals working in the pet food industry who are deserving of recognition for their research and innovative ideas that are improving the nutrition for our nation’s pets,” said Louise Calderwood, director of regulatory affairs for AFIA. “AFIA’s Pet Food Committee looks forward to once again selecting outstanding candidates that have represented and contributed to this growing industry.”

AFIA will accept nominations of individuals who have made “significant contributions to support the growth of the pet food industry.” Nominees are typically currently employed and active members of pet food companies, institutions and related fields, such as product development, transportation, regulatory, academia and media.

Recipients will be chosen by AFIA’s Pet Food Award Selection Committee, which includes the Pet Food Committee chair, chair-elect and past chair, AFIA’s president, board chair, and another member of the Pet Food Committee. Three finalists will be chosen. The winner(s) will receive a plaque and be recognized on AFIA’s website.

The 2020 Friend of Pet Food Award recipients were Gail Kuhlan, Ph.D. of Mars Petcare and Kate Shoveller, Ph.D. of the University of Guelph in Canada.

AFIA’s one-day Pet Food Conference will run from 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Jan. 26 and include a variety of presentations and discussions about the pet food industry.

Find more information about nominating a pet food professional for AFIA’s Friend of Pet Food Award on AFIA’s website.

Read more about AFIA’s 2020 Pet Food Conference.