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.
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.
Canadian Distributor Freedom Pet Supplies Expands with Acquisition of Trueman Distribution
Canadian Distributor Freedom Pet Supplies Expands with Acquisition of Trueman Distribution
Pet Age Staff//December 22, 2025//
Freedom Pet Supplies, a Novacap portfolio company and leading Canadian distributor of pet products, has announced the acquisition of Trueman Distribution Ltd., a long-standing distributor headquartered in Calgary, Alberta.
This acquisition marks a significant milestone in Freedom Pet’s strategic plan to become a national player in the Canadian pet supply market. With Trueman’s established operations in Western Canada and a shared culture focused on operational excellence, the partnership creates a strong foundation for cross-country expansion.
“Acquiring Trueman is a major first step toward building a truly national business,” said John Ayres, CEO and co-founder of Freedom Pet Supplies. “Our journey began in 2001 with a small warehouse and a handful of dedicated people, and we’ve grown by staying true to our values — putting people first, earning trust, and serving our partners with integrity. Trueman shares that same foundation. With Novacap’s support, we’re now expanding westward, and I couldn’t be more excited for what this means for our team, our customers, and our vendors.”
John Ayres began his career in the pet industry in 1979 and with wife Kelly co-founded Freedom Pet Supplies in 2001. Under his leadership, the company has grown from a 15,000-square-food warehouse to a 121,000-square-food national distribution operation serving over 1,500 retailers across Canada.
Paul Trueman, president of Trueman Distribution Ltd., commented: “Joining Freedom Pet is a natural evolution for our company. We’ve always believed in putting our customers first, and we see the same approach in Freedom Pet. We are excited to work alongside a partner who shares our commitment to quality, service, and people.”
Founded over 30 years ago, Trueman Distribution is known for its service-first philosophy and strong values. The company’s Calgary facility offers significant capacity for growth and will become Freedom Pet’s Western Canadian hub. This partnership also creates new opportunities for employees, vendors, and customers across the country.
2026 Exhibitors
