KANSAS CITY, MO. — Pet food and treat brands will meet again in Las Vegas next week for SuperZoo 2021, bringing with them an array of new products. This includes not only cutting-edge formulations, but also a telling foray into new formats and ingredients driving innovation and change across the industry. 

The trade show will be held indoors at the Mandalay Bay Convention Center in Las Vegas from Aug. 16 to 19, with educational sessions starting Aug. 16 and the trade show floor open to attendees between Aug. 17 and 19. Educational sessions will be geared toward retailers and pet groomers.

The World Pet Association (WPA), organizer of the pet industry trade show, announced in early August that a mask mandate would be in place for SuperZoo regardless of vaccination status. This follows a mask mandate issued by Nevada Governor Steve Sisolak for Clark County, which includes Las Vegas.

“Our primary goal is to protect the health of our valued attendees and exhibitors, so that you can focus on conducting business and networking with your community in-person this August at the Mandalay Bay Convention Center,” the WPA stated.

WPA also stated there will be hand washing and sanitizing stations placed throughout the event space.

The trade show floor will be open on Tuesday, Aug. 17 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., on Wednesday, Aug. 18 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and on Thursday, Aug. 19 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

As in years past, SuperZoo will host a vast selection of new products in its New Product Showcase section. Awards for new products will be announced on Tuesday, Aug. 17 at 1:30 p.m. PDT. Show organizers will also host a networking event on Wednesday, Aug. 18 from 5 to 8 p.m. in the Islander Ballroom.

Jon Taffer, host of “Bar Rescue,” will give the keynote presentation on Wednesday, Aug. 18 from 8 to 10 a.m. in the Islander Ballroom. Additionally, Jim Dougherty, founder of PetSmart and PetSense, will host a live question-and-answer session in the New Product Showcase area on Tuesday, Aug. 17 from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

Ahead of the show, Shea Russo, marketing manager at Boss Dog Brands Inc., said, “This year’s event will be unlike any of the national buying shows we have attended in the past. We’re all looking forward to the great opportunities ahead at SuperZoo 2021, and hope we can capitalize on the moment to set ourselves apart as the leaders in digestive health solutions in the pet industry."

Keep up with Pet Food Processing's SuperZoo coverage to hear about the latest new products and announcements made during the show.

Read more about pet food and treat industry events.