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About Global Pet Expo

Global Pet Expo, presented by the American Pet Products Association (APPA) and Pet Industry Distributors Association (PIDA), is the pet industry's premier event featuring the newest, most innovative pet products on the market today. The sold-out show features over 1,100 exhibiting pet brands, 300 first-time exhibiting companies and thousands of new products.

Global Pet Expo is known for delivering pet product innovation, business connections and world-class education for pet product professionals from around the globe while offering media and influencer attendees the opportunity to connect with pet brands showcasing the latest in pet innovation, products and trends.

SHOW FACT SHEET

Get the inside scoop on everything you need to know about Global Pet Expo 2024.

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Global Pet Expo Media Photos
Global Pet Expo Aquatics Entrance
New Products Showcase at Global Pet Expo
Global Pet Expo Crowd at the Orange County Convention Center
Innovation in Motion Experience at Global Pet Expo
Download photos of Global Pet Expo 2024 to include in your coverage. Image credit should be given to the American Pet Products Association (APPA).
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Leadership
Pete Scott

Peter R. Scott, APR, CAE
President & CEO, American Pet Products Association (APPA)

Peter Scott is a proven leader with over 25 years of experience in growing global non-profit organizations and individuals specializing in creating partnerships that increase engagement, drive revenue, and amplify the organization’s impact.  
 
Pete's ability to merge creative strategy, business acumen and board governance consulting has earned him the ear of those at some of the world’s largest organizations, including Microsoft, Wyndham, Hershey, Ford, Swiss Army, Kraft and others  His efforts have received recognition from media outlets including ABC, CBS, NBC and Fox, The Wall Street Journal, Associations Now, Internal Auditor Magazine and Compliance Week.

As an award-winning author of four books, he has trained thousands of people worldwide on social media governance, risk and compliance from such organizations as the Federal Reserve Bank, FINRA,  PWC, Deloitte, Nielsen, The Federal Reserve Bank, The Canadian House of Commons, Saudi Arabian Capital Markets Authority and others. Peter gained recognition for his efforts by receiving the PRSA Silver Anvil and Radiance Awards, Brand Hall Excellence in eLearning Award, multiple Forbes Best of Web, Webby Awards, as well as the Technology and Learning Magazine's Award of Excellence. Pete was also named as one of the CEOs of the Year by the Orlando Business Journal in 2021.

Taberi is Pete’s better half, and together, they obsess about their dog, Tucker. 

Celeste Powers
Celeste M. Powers, CAE
President, Pet Industry Distributors Association (PIDA)
Celeste Powers, CAE, has been president of the Pet Industry Distributors Association (PIDA), a co-sponsor of Global Pet Expo, since 2019. A pet industry newcomer at the time, she brought with her 30 years of non-profit association management — more than 20 of them in CEO roles. With longtime experience building strong volunteer/staff teams, improving member services to increase the bottom line, and strategic planning to optimize the effectiveness of various organizations, she quickly established herself as a relationship builder and champion of the industry as a whole.

Celeste played an essential role in the reimaging and growth of the Pet Industry Leadership Summit, the industry’s premier event for top-level executives from every segment of the pet care community. In 2021, along with the APPA leadership team, she worked to overhaul the education portion of Global Pet Expo. This led to the launch of the Global Learning Series, which has since grown to more than 50 free sessions for retailers, distributors and manufacturers. She also led the launch of Pet Store Pro’s all-new website in 2024, making employee training faster and easier for independent retailers. 

An active member of the American Society of Association Executives (ASAE), Celeste was awarded ASAE's Certified Association Executive (CAE) designation in 1999. She graduated from Gettysburg College, where she earned a BA in political science.

Jeremy Baker
Jeremy Baker
Chief Growth Officer, American Pet Products Association (APPA)
Driven by a passion for innovation and consumer-centric solutions, Jeremy is a seasoned leader in the pet industry with over 18 years of experience. With a deep understanding of the manufacturing and retail landscape, along with a commitment to quality and innovation, he has established himself as a leader in shaping the future of the industry.


Prior to joining the pet industry, Jeremy began his journey in the consumer goods space over 20 years ago with Black and Decker. For the last 15 years, he led efforts to expand Oxbow Animal Health into a global leader in the pet specialty arena. With a relentless pursuit of excellence, Jeremy's career progressed through a number of roles. He spearheaded countless initiatives, driving innovation and fostering a culture of continuous improvement. His efforts were instrumental in expanding distribution to over 40 countries and gaining the number one market share in several categories, further solidifying his reputation as a dynamic and results-oriented executive.


In 2021, he led efforts to sell Oxbow to Compana Pet Brands, a leader in the pet space with over 17 brands across many categories of the industry. After the successful integration of Oxbow, he joined the Compana team as the Group VP, leading the Business Development and E-commerce teams.


As the Chief Growth Officer for APPA, Jeremy leads a talented team in developing and executing strategic initiatives to drive growth and ensure the association and industry will thrive for years to come. He leverages his extensive industry knowledge, entrepreneurial spirit and visionary leadership to identify emerging trends and capitalize on new opportunities, positioning the organization as a leader in the rapidly evolving landscape.

Bob Merar
Bob Merar
Executive Vice President of Operations, American Pet Products Association (APPA)
Bob Merar is the Executive Vice President of Operations at the American Pet Products Association (APPA), working closely with the trade show and events team producing Global Pet Expo, which showcases over 1,100 pet product manufacturers. Merar has been an integral part of the Association for many years, previously serving as an APPA board member for 12 years (2010 – 2022) and as the chairman from 2015 through 2017. In 2022, he was appointed interim CEO until current President and CEO, Peter Scott, transitioned into the role.


For over 35 years, Merar has played a pivotal role in the pet industry in both the manufacturing and distribution sectors, serving as president of Exclusively Pet Dog Cookies and General Pet Supply. He has also held positions on the Pet Advocacy Network and Pet Industry Distributors Association (PIDA) board of directors and served as President of PIDA from 2009 through 2012.

Patrick O'Brien
Patrick O’Brien
Chief Digital Officer, American Pet Products Association (APPA)
Patrick O'Brien stands at the forefront of digital innovation in the pet industry as the Chief Digital Officer of the American Pet Products Association (APPA), where he skillfully blends his passion for technology and love for pets to spearhead transformative digital strategies. With a career spanning over two decades, Patrick has become synonymous with digital excellence and thought leadership, constantly pushing the boundaries of how technology can enhance business and consumer experiences.
 
Before joining APPA, Patrick honed his skills and vision as the Vice President of Product & Technology at Travel Media Group. In this capacity, he was instrumental in redefining the digital landscape of travel, leading his team through the creation and implementation of cutting-edge product innovations, business insights, and technology solutions.
 
At APPA, Patrick has been a transformative force, leveraging digital tools and platforms to amplify the association's mission of promoting and supporting the pet products industry. As Chief Digital Officer, Patrick O'Brien continues to foster innovation, guiding the association and its members towards a future where technology and pets go hand in hand in creating a better world for both pets and their people.

Ingrid Chu

Ingrid Chu
VP Research & Insights, American Pet Products Association (APPA)

Ingrid Chu boasts over three decades of quantitative expertise in marketing, offering unparalleled insights cultivated through years of experience. With a comprehensive understanding of various methodologies, she provides organizations and businesses with a well-rounded perspective that proves invaluable in today's dynamic landscape.

Having served as a trusted advisor to esteemed brands such as Mazda, Voya, Tupperware, Red Lobster and Nationwide Pet, Ingrid brings a wealth of knowledge and strategic acumen to the table. Her recent appointment at the American Pet Products Association (APPA) in May of 2023 reflects her dedication to furthering the success of the pet industry.

Ingrid holds a Bachelor's degree from UCSB and a Master's degree from USC. Additionally, her passion for pets extends beyond her professional endeavors, as she proudly cares for two rescues—a bulldog/pitbull mix and an Australian/German Shepherd mix—emphasizing her deep personal connection to the world of companion animals.


Media Resources

Media Product Guide

Looking for the latest and greatest new pet products? The Media Product Guide contains information on over 100 of new products debuting at Global Pet Expo 2024 across trending product categories, including Health & Wellness, Sustainability, Smart Tech and more.

View the Media Product Guide

Exhibitor Media pitches

Garner fresh stories and insights from the latest news happening right on the show floor! From announcing a new product or rebrand to hosting media events and more, nearly 100 exhibitors have shared their latest newsworthy announcements for media.

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Exhibitor Press releases

Access the latest press releases and announcements from Global Pet Expo exhibitors all in one location using the Show Planner.

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Pet Industry Stats & Trends

Get the latest pet industry expenditures and pet ownership data from the American Pet Products Association (APPA).

View Industry Stats & Trends

Press Releases

Social Media

Follow & Tag

Find us at @GlobalPetExpo, and make sure to take us in your social posts! We'll be resharing and retweeting content throughout the show.

#GlobalPetExpo

Include our official event hashtag #GlobalPetExpo in your posts to get your content in front of fellow pet industry professionals.

SOCIAL MEDIA TOOL KIT

Use our social media tool kit for messaging and content ideas to create turnkey social media posts and promote your attendance at Global Pet Expo 2024.

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