In a compelling new interview, Chloe DiVita of PETS+ sits down with Pete Scott, CEO of the American Pet Products Association (APPA), to discuss the highly anticipated Global Pet Expo 2025 (March 26 – 28, 2025). Coming off a record-breaking 2024 show, Scott shares exciting plans for the upcoming expo, which spans a space equivalent to six Home Depots at Orlando’s Orange County Convention Center.
Learn about Global Pet Expo’s new focus on “gather, inform, and connect” – three pillars designed to enhance the experience for independent pet products retailer attendees. Scott emphasizes APPA’s commitment to supporting small businesses in the pet industry and reveals new features for 2025, including an enhanced Unleashed party, TopGolf event, and keynote sessions.
A significant highlight is the expanded Global Learning Series, offering pet-specific education that’s rarely available elsewhere in the industry. The expo is also doubling down on sustainability initiatives, partnering with O-Town Compost and the Pet Sustainability Coalition while reducing their plastic footprint and moving to fully digital operations.
Scott provides insight into the pet industry’s economic impact, revealing it as a $303 billion industry employing 2.75 million people. While acknowledging 2024’s slower market, he remains optimistic about the industry’s future growth, particularly noting the increasing pet ownership among millennials and Gen Z.
The 2025 Global Pet Expo promises to be an exhaustive but rewarding experience, offering attendees opportunities for business growth, education, and valuable industry connections. As Scott puts it, the goal is to “come energetic and leave tired.”
Watch the full PETS+ Media Spotlight interview with Pete Scott and learn more about what’s in store for Global Pet Expo 2025.