The Pet Industry Federation, the UK’s trade association for pet businesses, has announced details of its plans for the New Year, as it looks to build on a successful 2023. 

Following its launch in 2023, PIF’s Business of Pets conference is being planned for June 2024, again at Cranfield University, and will bring together pet businesses who are looking to grow and take their business to the next level. Next year’s conference will revolve around the theme of ‘Money, Products and Marketing’ and will provide a comprehensive range of talks on these areas and provide excellent networking opportunities. 

In addition, a series of weekly webinars for members is being scheduled, with topics ranging from marketing on Amazon, HR issues around flexible working and the minimum wage, merchandising, trading in the US, canine behaviour and body language and using Instagram. Access to these webinars will be free to members and the initial 2024 line-up of webinars with details of how to register for them will be revealed on the PIF website (www,petfederation.co.uk) early in the new year.

Back by popular demand is the British Dog Groomers’ Association as a division of PIF. A new logo is being re-launched to members who cover dog grooming, to enable them to more specifically highlight this activity to customers. Relevant members will receive a BDGA sticker in 2024.

In addition, an updated version of PIF’s member to member advertising directory, MarketPlace, will be launched on the PIF website to enhance the offering between members and make it easier for commercial relationships to exist between suppliers and other PIF members. This new advertising will showcase members’ products to the trade and pet owners, and have product promotional offers in the PIF members’ area. There will also be a directory of business to business services launching in 2024.

This is all in addition to the PIF Awards, planned for November with the 2024 campaign beginning in May; and new updates and benefits being introduced throughout the year, aimed directly at members. 

Nigel Baker, PIF CEO, said: “We are always on the look out for ways to add value to PIF membership, now more than ever. As the only trade association which covers all types of pet business, our strength is in the diverse nature of members and the community which we create. Our aim is to help members get ahead and we hope that our plans for 2024, on top of all the usual membership benefits such as discounts, marketing logos, a listing on our public facing directory and regular e-newsletters with industry news, will do just that.”

To find out more about PIF membership and to join visit www.petfederation.co.uk