With the pet surge and increase in e-commerce business driven by COVID-19, many manufacturers are looking to build their direct to consumer (DTC) relationships with consumers.  What should you focus on first and what are the pitfalls to avoid?  Join moderator and investment banker Carol Frank and DTC expert, Joel Morrow, to learn the ins and outs of how to successfully build a DTC brand.  After selling his digital marketing agency, Joel is now co-owner of a DTC cycling brand and investor in a pet products company. Among other takeaways, you will:

• Discover new DTC tools, helpful tips, actionable strategies, and best practices.
• Learn from the good, the bad, and the ugly of industry examples and case studies.
• Come away with key next steps in a phase 1-Crawl roadmap for your company.

As the U.S. economy begins to reopen, business owners are looking for ways to accelerate recovery. There are government incentives available to you because of the services you provide here in the U.S.  Join alliantgroup for an informative session on the latest updates to powerful tax credits and incentives for manufacturers and suppliers. Hear from alliantgroup’s technical director, Jenn Groff, as she walks you through the NEW Employee Retention Credit, including:

• Why these incentives apply to you
• The latest changes to the tax code from the IRS
• How you can qualify for these critical credits and incentives
• Why all business owners not claiming it need to seriously reconsider

With all the pandemic challenges facing pet product companies in 2020 and 2021, exporting has shown to provide growth potential and sales opportunities. The presenter will discuss what products, going to various countries present APPA members with opportunities.  Guidelines, recommendations and Best Practices for export sales will also be highlighted.

IndiePet’s (Independent & Neighborhood Pet Retail Association) Executive Director Todd Dittman, will highlight what IndiePet is currently bringing to its retail members and introduce IndiePet’s plans for 2022.  IndiePet is the first (and only) association created by and for independent and neighborhood pet retailers and the manufacturers and distributors who support the independent channel. Todd Dittman, IndiePet’s first Executive Director, brings his career leading retail businesses and inspiring innovation to enhance the customer experience to IndiePet. Todd and the IndiePet board of directors with input from members and partnering organizations, have been hard at work mapping 2022 for IndiePet. He will be sharing those plans and the excitement the board has as they begin building programs, events, and tools that will connect members, advocate for the channel, and support the business needs of the independent and neighborhood pet retail industry.