STAMFORD, CONN. (August 24, 2026) – Registration is now open for Global Pet Expo 2027, where the global pet industry will come together to discover what's next, build meaningful relationships, and celebrate the pets that inspire its work. Presented by the American Pet Products Association (APPA) and Pet Industry Distributors Association (PIDA), the pet industry's premier annual gathering will take place March 17-19, 2027, at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, Florida.
Global Pet Expo brings together nearly 20,000 pet professionals from around the world for three days of product discovery, business development, networking and learning. With more than 1,200 exhibitors, 3,500 booths and over 1,000 new product launches annually, the show provides an unmatched view of the products, ideas and relationships shaping the future of the global pet care community. In 2027, Global Pet Expo will expand its emphasis on connection and impact through a newly integrated Pet Summit experience and a yearlong partnership with Stronger Shot, which will bring the stories of shelter pets to the national stage.
“Global Pet Expo has always been where the pet industry comes together to discover new ideas, strengthen partnerships and shape what comes next,” said Pete Scott, president and CEO of APPA. “In 2027, we’re building on that foundation by creating more intentional opportunities for people to connect while elevating the stories of the pets who inspire our work. From the relationships formed through The Pet Summit to the shelter pets featured throughout the year, this year’s centers on our belief that pets unite us in a meaningful way.”
A More Connected Global Pet Expo Experience
The Pet Summit, taking place March 15–18, will be reimagined in 2027 as a connection-driven extension of Global Pet Expo. The new format pairs the scale and energy of the show floor with smaller, more focused settings designed to build meaningful industry relationships.
New features include Connector Rooms, which combine expert panels, structured Q&A and guided networking around specific industry peer groups, as well as Speaker Deep-Dives that extend select Global Learning Series sessions into smaller, workshop-style conversations. Together, Global Pet Expo and The Pet Summit will give attendees both the breadth of the industry’s premier trade show and more intentional opportunities to connect.
“The Pet Summit is evolving to meet one of the industry’s clearest needs: more meaningful opportunities to connect,” said Scott. “By creating focused spaces for the right people to exchange ideas and build relationships, we’re adding a new level of depth to the Global Pet Expo experience.”
New Partnership Will Bring Shelter Pets' Stories to the National Stage
APPA is also partnering with Stronger Shot on a year-long storytelling initiative highlighting shelter pets and the people and organizations helping them move from rescue and recovery to adoption.
The partnership will follow select shelter pets on their journeys, bringing their stories and personalities to life beyond the kennel. Their stories will be shared through digital content, social media and event activations, culminating in select pets serving as ambassadors for Global Pet Expo 2027 and The Pet Summit.
By shining a light on each pet’s individuality and potential, the initiative will promote the power of adoption while reminding the industry of the shared purpose behind its work.
Through the initiative, APPA and Stronger Shot will:
Partner with shelters and rescue organizations across the country;
Support and document the journeys of select shelter pets;
Highlight featured pets and their journeys during Global Pet Expo 2027; and
Create opportunities for the pet industry to engage with and support shelter adoption efforts.
“Every shelter pet deserves the chance to be seen for who they truly are,” said Adam Goldberg, Founder of Stronger Shot. “A powerful photo or video can help someone look beyond the kennel and connect with a pet’s unique personality. Through this partnership, we can bring those stories to a much larger audience, help more shelter pets make a stronger first impression and create new opportunities for them to find loving homes.”
The partnership reflects APPA and Global Pet Expo’s ongoing commitment to strengthening the pet community and elevating work that improves the lives of pets and the people who care for them. It also builds on APPA’s broader advocacy efforts supporting lifelong responsible pet ownership, adoption, access to pet-friendly housing and access to pet care.
Registration Information
Registration for Global Pet Expo 2027 includes access to the exhibit hall, new product launches, Global Learning Series education and eligible networking events. Additional registration details for The Pet Summit and its premium programming will be available through the Global Pet Expo registration process.
To learn more and register for Global Pet Expo, visit: www.globalpetexpo.org/attend.
To learn more about The Pet Summit, visit: www.thepetsummit.com/the-pet-summit-connector-rooms
To learn more about Stronger Shot, visit: www.strongershot.com, or follow Stronger Shot on Instagram or Facebook.