On April 3, this year’s Petfood Innovation Workshop, “Taste of Pet Food’s Future,” will focus on sensory analysis, pet food palatability and consumer insights. This Petfood Industry sponsored workshop will be held in Olathe, Kansas, USA on the Kansas State University campus. The next day, the 25th annual Petfood Forum conference and exhibition will commence at the Kansas City Convention Center in Kansas City, Missouri, USA.

"This year's activities will give participants a greater understanding of the role sensory science plays in product development and marketing," said Bryan Severns, director of food programs and services at Kansas State University - Olathe. "Sensory studies are really the only pre-consumer test we have for product rollouts."

Severns is organizing the workshop with Greg Aldrich, research associate professor in grain science and industry at Kansas State University.

Topics at Petfood Innovation Workshop

David Sprinkle, research director for Packaged Facts, will start the day with an opening presentation. His presentation will feature insights on the pet parent mindset. Sprinkle will discuss an analysis of these consumers’ usage patterns for dry versus wet pet foods. Also, he will consider consumers’ relative interest in fresh, frozen and freeze-dried pet foods.

Deeper exploration of critical purchase drivers and pet parents’ influence on the evolution of the pet food market will take place in the Pet Family Feud workshop activity, hosted by Sprinkle. The CEO of Quiet Light Communications, Terry Schroff, will also participate.

Additional workshop stations include:

• In-depth examination of data to uncover the truth behind palatability myths with AFB International
• Insights on new palatability measurement tools, pet enjoyment assessment and owner perception with Diana Pet Food
• Examination of texture and crunch quality in kibble production with Extru-Tech
• Interactive demonstration on the importance of raw material quality to finished products with Kemin Industries
• Solutions for delivering better taste, texture, functionality and nutrition in pet food products with Kerry.

To ensure the quality of the workshop demonstrations, space is limited. Petfood Innovation Workshop organizers encourage those wishing to attend to submit their registration soon, as spots are filling up quickly. For further details and the most up-to-date information on Petfood Forum and Petfood Innovation Workshop 2017, please visit www.PetfoodForumEvents.com. 

About Petfood Forum & Petfood Industry

Petfood Forum is organized and hosted by Petfood Industry. Both are owned by WATT Global Media, a content company founded in 1917 that provides business content and solutions to the agribusiness industry. WATT Global Media has connected buyers and sellers in the poultry, pig, animal feed and pet food industries through its media channels for 100 years.