Petfood 2.0 Coming to Chicago this Fall

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"The data is clear, pets are family members, and consumers want products they can trust,” said Karen Howard, VIRGO senior contributing editor and former president of the National Animal Supplement Council (NASC).

Phoenix, AZ (PRWEB) March 31, 2014

VIRGO’s Animal Nutrition Insights & SupplySide, is expanding its platform to include Petfood 2.0, a new trade show on Sept. 23 & 24, 2014 at the Hilton Chicago. Petfood 2.0 is about the science of formulation, packaging and distribution around the innovation of products for the new pet food industry. Online registration opens April 29, 2014 and early bird pricing is $299.00.

“The progress in the industry is based on formulation, packaging and distribution, moving at a rapid pace not seen since the early days of pet domestication—with new science based nutritional ingredients, streamlined distribution through retail and the web, supply chain sustainability and packaging achievements, the global pet food market has been disrupted,” said John Siefert, CEO, VIRGO Publishing. “For this reason, we have launched Petfood 2.0, the new standard for an evolved industry that needs relevant and fresh thinking to propel the global market forward.”

According to the American Pet Products Association (APPA), the overall spending in the pet industry is expected to hit $58.51 billion this year, a 4.9 percent growth over 2013. The food category is expected to reach an all-time high in 2014 with $22.62 billion in estimated spending. This category remains the highest spending segment of the pet industry as pet food trends continue to follow human food and diet trends.

Petfood 2.0 is all about the science. The pet food industry has gone through major transformations, with new ingredients, distribution strategies, marketing and packaging all focused on the nutrition, health and longevity of pets around the world. The science of formulation means exploring the research behind the ingredients, the R & D, testing requirements, manufacturing capabilities, sensory investigation and more. The Expo will delve into the science of packaging and the issues surrounding food safety, shelf life, technologies, marketing and sustainability. It will also examine the supply chain, sourcing and how products are taken to the marketplace.

"The data is clear, pets are family members, and consumers want products they can trust,” said Karen Howard, VIRGO senior contributing editor and former president of the National Animal Supplement Council (NASC). “The quality of ingredients and the science supporting formulations for pet food and supplements are becoming increasingly important for purchasing decisions. Petfood 2.0 is the showcase for cutting edge differentiators in this growing market."

Horn, Kemin and DuPont, all large suppliers to pet food manufacturers, have already secured exhibit space for Petfood 2.0.

"Kemin is pleased to partner with Virgo on Petfood 2.0 as we are both committed to providing the industry with ingredient innovations, industry insights and inspired molecular solutions to help drive the pet food industry forward," said Giuseppe Abrate, president of the pet food ingredient division of Kemin. "We're looking forward to the event, its new format and the opportunity to collaborate with industry professionals on the challenges they are facing today."

“Horn’s Animal Wellness team is excited to be part of the new Petfood 2.0 event put on by Virgo,” said Lisa Alley-Zarkades, vice president, commercial development, Horn Animal Wellness. “Horn has a long history of distribution and supply chain management in combination with partnering with top suppliers with a serious focus on bringing science and nutritional innovations to the pet industry. This allows us to bring these innovations to various key manufactures who want to make a difference. The format of Petfood 2.0 will allow for those with similar goals to innovate, to meet in one place, and to create and network very efficiently. We look forward to being part of a new concept.”

JP Hill, market development manager, Pet Food at DuPont Nutrition & Health added, “We couldn’t be more thrilled to exhibit at Petfood 2.0. DuPont is a market-driven science company, so when we heard the focus was all about what’s next and disruptive innovation, we knew it was a perfect fit. Our customers are on the edge of product innovation, and need our deep bench of application scientists to bridge the gap between their next great idea and a cost effective, finished product that delights consumers and their pets.”
If you’re a potential exhibitor and are interested in a 20-30 minute briefing, please contact Mercedes Tiefenthaler to set a time.

About VIRGO Petfood 2.0
VIRGO is an information distribution company, with 19 brands including trade magazines, websites, and trade shows that are focused on the most innovative and complex business-to-business markets that fuel U.S. and world economies. Petfood 2.0 was created to focus on innovations in science, formulation, packaging and distribution in the pet food industry. For more information or to receive future communications, visit http://www.petfood2.com.

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