Why Pet Care Professionals Belong at the Centre of Industry Collaboration

By Morag WIllcox, Co-Founder Canadian Pet Care Professionals

As the pet industry continues to evolve, one thing is becoming increasingly clear. Stronger collaboration between suppliers, retailers, and service based businesses is no longer optional, it is essential.

This is where Connect Pet Expo plays an important role.

Pet care professionals, including dog walkers, pet sitters, trainers, groomers, daycare operators, and boarding facilities, are a vital but often underrepresented part of the industry ecosystem. These businesses work directly with pets and pet parents every day, and they actively use the products suppliers create and retailers sell, treats given during training or walks, leashes and equipment used daily, toys for enrichment, and items included as client gifts. This hands on use gives pet care professionals a practical understanding of how products perform in real world environments.

In many cases, pet care professionals are the trusted voice pet parents turn to after they leave a retail environment. Questions about food, treats, enrichment, supplements, behaviour, and overall care do not stop at the checkout counter. They continue in homes, on walks, in training sessions, and during daily routines.

CONNECT creates space for these conversations to happen intentionally.

Unlike traditional trade shows that focus primarily on transactions, CONNECT is designed around relationships, education, and meaningful connection. It brings together retailers, suppliers, and pet care professionals in a way that encourages dialogue, understanding, and long term thinking.

For suppliers and retailers, engaging with pet care professionals offers valuable insight. These businesses see how products perform over time, how pets respond to them, and how pet parents actually use them day to day. That perspective is powerful and often underutilised.

For pet care professionals, having direct access to suppliers means better education, clearer information, and stronger confidence when making recommendations. It also fosters trust, both with brands and with the clients they serve.

When collaboration works well, everyone benefits.

These relationships can take many forms, from education and information sharing, to thoughtful brand exposure through samples, give-aways, client resources, or support of professional events and initiatives. When collaboration is intentional and aligned, it creates value far beyond a single interaction on the show floor.

Suppliers gain informed advocates. Retailers strengthen their customer relationships. Pet care professionals are better equipped to support the pets in their care. Most importantly, pet parents receive consistent, knowledgeable guidance across every touchpoint.

As the industry continues to grow and professionalise, events like Connect are not just about showing up, they are about showing up with intention.

Seeing pet care professionals as partners, not just attendees, helps elevate the entire industry.

Connect provides the environment for those partnerships to begin, grow, and thrive.

Stop by and learn more at Connect:https://connect2026.expofp.com/?canadian-pet-care-professionals