Schedule
Wednesday May 21
7-10pm - Marriot on the Falls - The Great Room
Exhibitors Only Night!
Presented by Global Pet Expo
Complimentary for all exhibitors at Connect. Join us for a casual evening where you can join your peers for beverages/hors d'œuvres and relax. Meet with your fellow industry players to discuss current events and what's trending in the pet world. (Must have exhibitor badge for entry)
Thursday May 22
9am - 5pm Connect Show Hours
11:00am - Connect Stage - Sponsored by Nutri Source
RBC - ADP - Moneris
Retailers Tool Box - Retail Professionals to Enhance Your Business
We are pleased to announce an exclusive roundtable discussion featuring industry leaders from RBC, ADP, and Moneris Solutions. This session will focus on strategies to enhance your business operations amidst today’s rapidly evolving landscape. Gain valuable insights on staying ahead of emerging trends and effectively forecasting future changes to drive sustainable growth. This is a pivotal discussion designed to provide actionable insights and innovative solutions for businesses navigating dynamic market conditions. Don’t miss this opportunity to engage with thought leaders and position your organization for success.
11:30am - Aquatic/Reptile Lounge
Q & A - Fish & Bird Emporium
Retailers Tool Box - Specialty Education Representative to Boost Sales
Gain valuable insights into the positive impact of offering live specialty pets in your store. Learn how this category can attract more customers and boost revenue.
1:00pm - Connect Stage - Sponsored by Nutri Source
Jennifer Murray - Murray Pet Sales & Consulting
Omnipresence 101: The Key to Growing a Thriving Pet Store in a Competitive Market
The concept of "Omnipresence" is introduced as the solution for local pet stores, focusing on being visible and active in the community through social media, local media, events, and human connections. The concept is broken into four key pillars: authentic media presence, community engagement, human interaction, and local commitment. This workshop develops marketing with pet store's ability to build personalized relationships, adapt quickly, and leverage local expertise. A 4-step omnipresence strategy is outlined: owning the local digital space, getting featured in local media, becoming a community connector, and building a human-centered brand.
2pm - Aquatic/Reptile Lounge
Q & A - MSR Imporium
Retailers Tool Box - Specialty Education Representative to Boost Sales
Gain valuable insights into the positive impact of offering live specialty pets in your store. Learn how this category can attract more customers and boost revenue.
2:30pm - Mezzanine Room 204
Fresh Pet Food Alliance
Open dialong with the Fresh Pet Food Alliance.We are an industry association specifically created to bring Accountability, Transparency and Integrity to the Fresh Pet Food market across Canada, the United States and beyond!
3:30pm - Connect Stage
State of The Industry
Join Nicole Jenelle Forbes, Director of Member Engagement - American Pet Products Association (Global Pets Expo) for a presentation on Insights from the APPA National Pet Owners Survey.
Join Us for CONNECT LIVE – The Ultimate Industry Celebration
7:00 pm Thursday | Niagara Falls Convention Centre
Get ready for an unforgettable night at CONNECT LIVE, the official industry celebration hosted by the Hagen Group, proudly commemorating 70 years of supporting independent pet retailers across Canada.
Enjoy high-energy live music from Canada’s own Orangeman—a powerhouse partyrock band delivering non-stop dance hits from the '70s to the 2000s—and indulge in culinary creations from top chefs at the Niagara Falls Convention Centre, showcasing flavors from across Canada and local producers.
As the night builds, don’t miss the $10,000 cash prize draw—exclusively for those who placed show orders during Connect and were entered into the draw. It’s our way of celebrating your commitment to growing your business and supporting the community.
Incredible entertainment. Unforgettable cuisine. Amazing company.
Complimentary for all registered Connect attendees and exhibitors.
Let’s come together to celebrate the community that drives the Canadian pet industry—see you at CONNECT LIVE!
Friday May 23
9am - 4pm Connect Show Hours
10:00am - Connect Stage - Sponsored by Nutri Source
Erika Godwin/Morag Willcox- Canadian Pet Care Professionals
Canadian Pet Care Professionals is a membership-based community designed to support, educate, and connect pet care business owners across Canada.
Join Erika and Morag to learn more about how they can help your business as this group is
dedicated to supporting, educating, and connecting Professional Pet Care business owners, while also advocating for qualified, insured, and registered pet care providers across Canada.
11:00am - Connect Stage - Sponsored by Nutri Source
Jordan Milgrom - Milgrom Marketing
Jordan Milgrom is a CEO, growth partner, and AI strategist who has helped companies generate over $1 billion in revenue by leveraging AI, automation, and data-driven marketing strategies. With 20+ years of experience, Jordan specializes in making AI practical, profitable, and easy to implement, helping businesses streamline operations, increase sales, and enhance customer engagement with minimal effort. At Connect – Canada’s Pet Trade Expo, Jordan’s workshops will provide pet industry professionals with real-world AI solutions that are simple to adopt and drive measurable results—no tech expertise required.
Workshop Topics Include:
✅ AI for Absolute Beginners – A step-by-step guide to using AI in your business
✅ Easy-to-implement AI tools & software – Get started with AI without the complexity
✅ Marketing automation & customer interactions – Use AI and Automations to increase conversions effortlessly
11:30am - 1:00pm - NFCC - Ballroom
Connect Lunch
Connect Lunch on us! For those that want to keep charged to get through the show floor and see all of their favourite brands or meet new brands. Connect along with the vendors are hosting a lunch on site. Register early, with your badge registration, as there is limited space for this.
1:30pm - Aquatic/Reptile Lounge
Q & A - Iconic Aquatics
Retailers Tool Box - Specialty Education Representative to Boost Sales
Gain valuable insights into the positive impact of offering live specialty pets in your store. Learn how this category can attract more customers and boost revenue.
1:30pm - Connect Stage
Eleanor Pineau - Myco Pet
Myco Pet offers premium, all-natural supplements for dogs, cats, and horses, formulated with medicinal mushrooms, probiotics, colostrum, and beta-glucans to support immunity, joint health, digestion, and overall wellness.
It's our Commitment to Connect
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