Grow. Innovate. Connect.
Thank You for an Incredible CONNECT 2026
Thank you to the retailers, groomers, distributors, manufacturers, service providers, and pet professionals who joined us March 4 and 5, 2026 at CONNECT in Niagara Falls.
Over two incredible days, the Canadian pet industry came together to share ideas, discover new products, attend education sessions, and build the relationships that continue to move our industry forward. From the busy show floor to the CONNECT Tool Box vendors and networking events, the energy and collaboration made this year’s event truly special.
CONNECT has always been built by pet professionals for pet professionals, and it is your participation, passion, and commitment to the industry that make the event what it is.
Thank you for being part of CONNECT. We look forward to seeing you again next year.
Paul Ford
"Connect truly delivers. It’s a standout event for high-quality conversations, intentional networking, and a genuine sense of community.
Everything runs seamlessly thanks to the Team Connect crew, who go above and beyond to support attendees. Plus, the experience is top-notch with great food, comfortable carpeted aisles, and social events that perfectly bring everyone together."
Craig MacIntyre
"An absolute success and blast at the Connect Pet Expo! Unmatched networking opportunities and such excellent energy. The professionalism and support from Grant, and his team at Connect make it a perfect venue and experience to connect with new prospects, educate for stronger retail, and catch up with current and old partners. Highly recommend for anyone in the Pet Industry sector to attend."
Codie Bonner
"Connect Pet Expo offers a truly valuable and refreshing experience. The environment allows for meaningful, one-on-one time with brands, creating space for real conversations, thoughtful questions, and stronger relationship building. The overall atmosphere is welcoming, collaborative, and genuinely supportive of the pet specialty community. It’s an event that prioritizes connection and quality interactions".
Jennifer Murray
“One of the qualities that makes Connect stand out is its accessibility. The show operates without membership fees, making it easier for new entrepreneurs and emerging brands to enter the market and present their ideas alongside more established companies. This open structure encourages innovation and provides smaller businesses with a platform to introduce new concepts to retailers.”
Riley Card
"Connect Pet Expo was a great experience for us, especially being a newer business. It was really well organized, and we were able to make some strong connections with retailers that actually made sense for us. Overall, it felt like a show that delivered real value and helped us keep building momentum."
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.
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
