There is now less than a month to go until the annual Pet Industry Forum and Awards. The event hosted by the Pet Industry Federation (PIF) will be held at Whittlebury Hall near Towcester, Northamptonshire on Tuesday 28 November.
The day begins with the Pet Industry Federation Forum, a conference featuring a range of keynote speakers, focusing on a range of topical issues which affect all of us in the pet industry.
This year’s seminars will cover product innovation; the importance of effective packaging and promotion, by UK’s leading packaging company, DS Smith; online security (not to be missed if you have any online presence whatsoever!); how to create ‘retail theatre’, PIF’s keynote session, delivered by TV retail expert Kate Hardcastle; and an insight into the US retail market by Shawn Dooley, MD of SMD Group LLC, a US company specialising in advising pet product companies on exporting to the US.
An afternoon session facilitated by Mark Lumsdon-Taylor, CEO of Hadlow College, will examine the increasingly important dialogue between industry and education; with Professor Peter Neville introducing a ground-breaking new course on cat and dog behaviour developed by COAPE and Hadlow; and Dr Ambrose Tinarwo and Dr Wanda McCormick emphasising the co-operation between Hadlow and the pet industry on a research trial to examine the effects of muesli feeding on rabbits – the results for which will be announced at the Forum.
The Pet Industry Federation Awards (the ‘PIFAs’) then take place in the evening, with pre-dinner drinks, entertainment, a three-course meal and a disco, and the PIFA announcements themselves, all around a birthday theme to celebrate PIF’s 70th Anniversary.
This year is set to be the best yet with a record number of entries across thirteen categories, plus the presentation of the 2017 Lifetime Achievement Award. PIFA winners will be announced by Professor Tim Morris from the Animal Health and Welfare Board for England.
Tickets are selling fast, and those interested should secure their place by visiting 01234 273933, or by telephoning 01234 273933. There are various packages available, and PIF members receive a discount on each package.
