Grow. Innovate. Connect.
Let's Connect.
Join us at Connect March 4&5, 2026, Canada’s premier platform for collaboration and innovation in the pet industry. This event brings together leaders from across the sector, including manufacturers, retailers, distributors and other pet professionals. To build strong relationships, spark fresh ideas, and create opportunities for growth. With expert speakers, Connect Tool Box vendors, and focused networking sessions, you’ll gain valuable insights and strategies to help your business thrive in a changing market.
More than just a trade show, Connect is a community built by pet professionals, for pet professionals. We’re committed to empowering retailers with the knowledge, skills, and connections they need to succeed while ensuring access to brands that truly support them.
Let’s Grow, Innovate and Connect!
Connect:
A B2B pet trade event celebrating the Canadian pet industry hosted and created with a team that is 100% built with individuals and vendors from the Canadian Pet Industry.
Connect Lounge
Attendees and Exhibitors can enjoy all the amenities of the Connect Lounge. A spacious seating area with beverages, charging stations and plenty of seating area for impromptu meetings.
Education Stage
Connect brings 2 days of educational talks to attendees. Visitors will hear from Jennifer Murray, Jordan Milgrom, and financial advice through RBC, Moneris and ADP.
Fresh Food Showcase
A highlight of the show is Connect's Fresh Food Showcase featuring a variety of frozen and gently cooked products from many of the Connect Exhibitors. Thanks to Habco for the great looking freezer setup.
Connect Live
Thursday night features Connect Live at the NFCC with the Orange Man Band. The evening will kick off with $10,000 in cash giveaways to retailers and exhibitors.
Dogtopia Named Top Brand to Buy by Franchise Times
Dogtopia, a pet services franchise, was recognized as a “Top Brand to Buy” in the pet category in Franchise Times’ annual Zor Awards.
This recognition marks the second time Dogtopia has won the Top Brand to Buy award, further proving the company’s business and financial model, supported by the ongoing momentum, company officials said.
Dogtopia exploded in 2016 under new leadership and has nearly 275 day cares across the United States and Canada, officials said. Dogtopia’s leading safety standards, nationally certified training and unique recurring revenue model brings a stable and predictable operating environment to its franchisees, which has proven resilient in economic headwinds, officials added.
“Dogtopia’s success and growth would not be possible without the hard work and dedication of our Dogtopia family as well as our Support Team,” said Neil Gill, CEO and president. “We are very proud to be recognized by Franchise Times again and continue to appeal to both the single unit owner who wants to exit the corporate world and start something exciting or the multi-unit owner looking to diversify their portfolio.”
Franchise Times Zor Awards aim to help potential franchisees choose the ideal franchise for them by breaking down the hard-to-understand business vocabulary and showing them the best franchises to choose from, officials said. The magazine chooses a top pick and three runners-up in 10 categories. The magazine interviews the top-performing franchisees of each winning franchisor to provide a first-hand perspective of what it’s like to work with the brand, officials added. These franchisees provide honest insight and advice to show prospective owners what it takes to drive sales and achieve success within the brands listed, officials said.
Wild Birds Unlimited and Woof Gang Bakery were named the other two finalists in the “Animal House” category.
2026 Exhibitors
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