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.
Tom&Sawyer Welcomes Cadi Pontinen as New Sales & Operations Leader
Tom&Sawyer Welcomes Cadi Pontinen as New Sales & Operations Leader to Enhance Retail Partnerships and Market Education
Toronto, ON – Tom&Sawyer, a leader in gently-cooked, balanced pet meals, proudly announces the appointment of Cadi Pontinen as Sales & Operations Lead. With over 15 years of experience in health products and supplements, including focused experience in pet wellness, Cadi brings deep insights and leadership to support Tom&Sawyer’s mission of enhancing pet health through high-quality nutrition.
A mom to five kids, three dogs, two cats, and a lizard, Cadi’s commitment to holistic family wellness extends to both people and pets. Her background in customer engagement, sales strategy, and B2B partnerships across sectors like natural and conventional grocery and pet specialty aligns perfectly with Tom&Sawyer’s values. Cadi is passionate about equipping retailers with the tools to build lasting customer relationships and to foster understanding around optimal pet nutrition and wellness.
“I’m thrilled to join Tom&Sawyer and to help pet owners and retail partners offer high- quality nutrition and wellness support for our furry family members,” Cadi shared. “I look forward to empowering our partners with strategies to maximize customer satisfaction while educating pet parents on the immense health benefits of Tom&Sawyer gently- cooked products.”
Cadi’s career includes leading product launches in different global markets, managing and scaling customer relations systems, and building strategic partnerships. As an experienced sales and operations strategist, she’s adept in CRM/IMS systems, trade show planning, and data-driven decision-making, and she is eager to support Tom&Sawyer’s retail partners and community.
“We are so excited to have Cadi join our team to contribute her industry knowledge and her sales process expertise as we continue to grow Tom&Sawyer to improve the lives of more family pets globally”, says Kristin Matthews, Co-Founder and President of Tom&Sawyer. Tom&Sawyer invites its community and retail partners to welcome Cadi Pontinen to the team.
About Tom&Sawyer
Since 2015, Tom&Sawyer has been a global leader in ultra premium and nutritious gently-cooked meals for dogs and cats, driving nutrition science innovation and enhanced food quality regulation. As the only Canadian pet food brand made exclusively in a registered human food facility, Tom&Sawyer’s mission includes bringing enhanced transparency, accountability and trust to pet owners to help pet parents make the best decisions for their pets to live happier, healthier, longer lives. www.tomandsawyer.com
2026 Exhibitors
