KANSAS CITY, MO. — Pet Food Processing magazine and parent company Sosland Publishing Company announce the speaker lineup for the second edition of the Pet Food Processing Exchange, an educational and networking event to be held Oct. 19 to 21 in Kansas City, at the Downtown Marriott. The goal of the event is to unite industry influencers, thought leaders and decision makers and to provide a platform for these stakeholders to learn from and interact with each other.

Attendees will include pet food and treat manufacturers, as well as professionals involved in animal nutrition, ingredient development, food science, product development, food safety, academia, processing and packaging technologies.

“Hearing so much positive feedback about the quality of our content and caliber of our contributing presenters validated what we set out to do through the creation of this event in 2024,” said Dave Crost, publisher of Pet Food Processing. “Our goal was to create a space where pet food and treat manufacturers could come together to share strategies and best practices to drive the industry forward.” 

Speakers presenting during the 1 ½-day event represent pet food processing organizations, supplier companies and industry associations. Other subject matter experts from the fields of consumer data analysis, product formulation, ingredient supply, food safety, supply chain logistics, packaging and pet food processing will share their knowledge on-stage.

The 2025 Pet Food Processing Exchange agenda includes:

Combating Turnover and Retaining Top Talent — The pet food and treat industry is highly competitive, which makes sourcing great talent difficult. By building a strong culture and investing in leadership training, you can reduce turnover and keep your workforce strong. (Frank Niles, Ph.D., principal of business transformation, BSM Partners)

The Innovation Challenge: Putting the Consumer and Pet at the Center of Product Design — The pet food landscape has evolved — from ingredient trends, product forms and nutritional science to the rapidly shifting expectations of pet parents. With consumer behavior increasingly mirroring that of human food trends, this session will examine what today’s pet owners are really looking for and how to meet those demands with purposeful, science-backed innovation. (Greg Kean, global vice president of Innovation & Nutrition, Wellness Pet Company)

The Quest for Sustainable Packaging — With the vast majority of pet food packaging ending up in landfills, it’s crucial for the industry to explore solutions to reduce its environmental impact. This session will translate key sustainability initiatives into achievable action items, focusing on the role of packaging in creating a more sustainable future. (Allison Reser, director of Sustainability & Innovation, Pet Sustainability Coalition)

Supply Chain Logistics and Industry Economics — The pet food supply chain is a complex network encompassing raw ingredient sourcing, manufacturing, quality control, logistics and distribution. Discover what economic factors are influencing the industry and how manufacturers can better navigate market fluctuations. (Jim Ritchie, chief executive officer, RedStone Logistics, and instructor, University of Kansas School of Business)

Biotic Ingredients and Their Influence on Pet Wellness — Prebiotics, probiotics and postbiotics are important emerging ingredients being incorporated into a range of pet foods and treats, offering benefits for digestion, skin health, mood, cognition and overall wellbeing. Find out what makes these ingredients so important and how formulators are incorporating them into new pet products. (Marcial Guevara, Ph.D., global senior technical product manager – Pets, Novonesis)

Prioritizing Food Safety, Quality and Compliance — Keeping pet foods safe for its four-legged consumers is a top priority for all pet food processors. But how can food safety, quality and compliance work together to strengthen a pet food processing operation? (Lindsay Meyers, vice president of Quality, Nutrition and Compliance, Primal Pet Foods)

State of the Industry Panel: Key Challenges Facing Pet Food and Treat Producers — From labor shortages and immigration issues to food safety concerns and evolving ingredient and labeling regulations, a range of challenges are keeping pet food and treat manufacturers up at night. Join industry representatives as they share insights on these pressing issues in a dynamic panel discussion (Moderated by Michael Johnson, principal, BSM Partners; Jim Holdrieth, CEO, Muenster Milling; Worth Turner, CEO, CompletePet)

Panel Discussion: Pet Food of the Future — As sustainability and ingredient sourcing remain top concerns in the pet food industry, manufacturers are exploring alternative protein ingredients for their pet food formulations. Fermented, cultured and insect proteins are emerging as viable options for use in pet food. In this panel, industry experts will share insights on these innovative ingredients and their potential impact on the future of pet food. (Rich Kelleman, CEO and founder, Bond Pet Foods; Shannon Falconer, Ph.D., CEO and founder, BioCraft Pet Nutrition; Adam Mutschler, co-founder and chief strategy officer, Archway Pet Food)

Making it Personal: Personalized Pet Nutrition — From breed-specific products to custom kibble and AI-enhanced nutrition, pet food companies are offering pet parents more personalized solutions for their pets’ unique needs. (Tara Zedayko, chief scientific officer, Ollie)

Under Pressure: HPP and Pet Food — With the rise of raw, frozen and freeze-dried pet foods, manufacturers are turning to advanced processing technologies to ensure product safety. High pressure processing (HPP) offers a proven solution, enhancing food safety while preserving quality and nutrition. (Mary-Grace Danao, Ph.D., research associate professor, University of Nebraska-Lincoln)

Going Global — As interest in US pet food and treats grows internationally, American companies are gaining new distribution opportunities. Learn about the top markets for US pet food and treat exports and discover how US processors can prepare themselves to expand their reach around the globe. (Dana Waters, manager of International Affairs, Pet Food Institute)

Pet Parents of Today and Tomorrow — How is the evolving demographic of pet parents shaping the future of the pet food industry? In this session, we’ll explore key trends, backed by industry data, to reveal how these shifts are influencing the development, marketing and distribution strategies of pet food companies. (Jon Copeland, research manager, MarketPlace)

For more information about the Pet Food Processing Exchange agenda, speakers and activities surrounding the event, visit petfoodprocessingexchange.net.