Grow. Innovate. Connect.
Let's Connect.
Join us at Connect March 4 and 5, 2026 for Canada’s leading pet industry trade show and business growth event.
Connect brings together manufacturers, retailers, distributors, service providers, and pet professionals from across Canada to collaborate, share ideas, and access new opportunities. This premier event features expert speakers, Connect Tool Box vendors, and targeted networking sessions designed to deliver actionable insights and strategies that help pet businesses thrive in a competitive and evolving market.
More than just a pet industry trade show, Connect is a community built by pet professionals for pet professionals. We support retailers and exhibitors by providing education, resources, and direct access to innovative brands that are committed to helping Canadian pet businesses grow.
Let’s Grow, Innovate, and Connect at Canada’s top pet industry event.
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.
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