While Petfood Forum and other trade shows or conferences changed their dates and formats in response to COVID-19, pet food industry professionals found ways to connect using the internet for both productivity and to share well-wishes. Executives and others may regret the delay of face-to-face networking at events, but the rapid shift to remote work strengthened various digital communications channels.
For example, Petfood Forum 2020 is being reimagined as a virtual experience branded as Petfood Forum CONNECT. The new online conference and digital showroom directory will launch beginning from 9 am – 12 pm (CST) on September 9-10, and then continue through 15-17, 2020.
Attend Petfood Forum CONNECT • September 9-10 & 15-17
So far, the rescheduling of trade shows and conferences has yet to affect Alltech’s pet food business, Juan Gomez, PhD, global director for Alltech's companion animal business, said.
“In fact, we have seen a business surge as well as increased connectivity,” he said. “I think the ‘social distancing’ effect is bringing us closer to our friends, family, colleagues, and customers. I have received calls and messages of well-being from customers all over the world.”
Pet food professionals connect online
During the wait for normalcy, pet food industry suppliers have found alternatives to face-to-face interaction.
“Currently we are focusing on maintaining supply to our customers during these challenging times,” William Kuecker, vice president of North American marketing for Mondi Consumer Flexibles, said. “We look forward to meeting them at fairs in the future to discuss new innovations when the time is right. In the meantime, we have increased our electronic and video-based contacts to ensure our customers get the information they need from us. We have also found new ways of working, for example we are implementing virtual printing press approvals to keep things up and running using webcams.”
“As many strategic meetings were planned during those events, these disruptions are being proactively addressed through remote contact and communications with our global client base,” said Norm Schmitt, corporate sales manager for Extu-tech.
“Our relationships with our customers is one of the foundations of our business,” Jared Lozo, president of pet food ingredient supplier AFB International. “While the current situation has limited our face-to-face interaction with customers, we found other ways to stay connected. In addition to communication from our leaders regarding AFB’s response to COVID-19, we share other information that is relevant to their business. We know everyone is being overwhelmed with information right now, so we want to be sensitive and make sure what we communicate brings value. White papers, blog posts on our website, and LinkedIn are ways we stay in touch with our customers.”
Despite the value of personal interaction at trade shows, pet food industry executives felt it a small price to pay compared to the alternative.
“It’s very unfortunate the shows have been rescheduled, but in the whole scheme of things its seem like a very small sacrifice to make in an effort to minimize travel and maximize social distancing,” said Mark Liberman, Peel Plastics vice president sales and marketing.
Even after the pandemic tapers off, pet food industry professionals may need time to adjust.
“It’s our company prerogative first and foremost to protect the health and wellbeing of our staff so as travel and social distancing begins to loosen, as it will, the potential exposure risks taken by traveling and being in close proximity to others will be a psychological barrier to overcome,” Lawrence Blitz, president of Green Source Organics said.
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