Global Pet Expo 2025 Unveils New Keynote Series

STAMFORD, CONN. (Feb. 6, 2025) – Global Pet Expo, the pet industry’s premier event featuring the newest, most innovative pet products on the market, announced today its new keynote series for the 2025 event, featuring speakers Bert Jacobs, CEO (Chief Executive Optimist) and Co-Founder of Life is Good® and Tyler Mathisen, news anchor and Vice President of Events Strategy for CNBC. Global Pet Expo, presented by the American Pet Products Association (APPA) and Pet Industry Distributors Association (PIDA), will take place on March 26-28, 2025, at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, Florida, gathering over 20,000 pet professionals and showcasing over 1,000 exhibiting pet brands.

Global Pet Expo’s new keynote sessions will explore insights, inspiration and topics relevant to the pet industry. The keynote programming is part of an effort to introduce opportunities to learn and connect, with sessions featuring common themes of optimism and entrepreneurship for the largest gathering of professionals representing the $150 billion pet industry.  

“At APPA and PIDA, we recognize that attending Global Pet Expo is an investment in your pet business,” said APPA President and CEO Peter Scott. “By introducing keynote sessions at this year’s event, we’re maximizing the attendance value for pet industry professionals around the globe, offering insightful, engaging programming to reinvigorate their business in 2025. This latest addition to the show reflects our ongoing commitment to advancing the pet industry through expanded education, research, insights and networking opportunities.”

Keynote Sessions:

Bert Jacobs, CEO and Co-Founder of Life is Good®

Date: Wednesday, March 26

Time: 9:00 - 10:00 a.m.

Join us for the opening keynote session at Global Pet Expo 2025 with Bert Jacobs. Since Bert and his brother John sold their first t-shirt 30 years ago, their mission has been to spread the power of optimism. Jacobs will share his story of entrepreneurship, inspiration and positive social impact to demonstrate the depth and meaning behind the three simple words: “Life is Good.”

Tyler Mathisen, News Anchor and Vice President of Events Strategy for CNBC

Date: Thursday, March 27

Time: 8:00 - 9:00 a.m.

Dive into the future of pet during this keynote event, where Tyler Mathisen will moderate a panel of executives from some of the pet industry's most notable brands. In this discussion, Mathisen will uncover how key factors like tariffs, interest rates, employment, and AI shape our economic outlook.

The keynote sessions will take place on the Global Pet Expo General Session Main Stage, on the third floor of the South Concourse at the Orange County Convention Center.

For more information and to register, visit GlobalPetExpo.org/Attend. The event also welcomes credentialed media members and qualified pet influencers to apply for registration. To learn more, visit GlobalPetExpo.org/Media.