Ahh, that first-time feeling at Global Pet Expo—a rush of kid-in-a-candy-store excitement mixed with maybe a dash of deer-in-headlights panic. That’s exactly what Candace’s team from Dante and Dory’s is about to experience!
See, our Pet Boss Nation CEO and her husband have owned a commercial building that sat vacant for the last four years—until now!
Turns out, they were meant to be the tenants all along.
Yup, in case you missed it, Candace is opening a pet destination store in Galesburg, Illinois, to fill the void left by the recently closed Pet Supplies Plus.
Here’s another full-circle moment: she rehired the previous store’s manager and several staff members. And now, they’re setting out on their maiden trade show voyage!
Going to Global Pet Expo, too?
Whether you’re a newbie who doesn’t know what to expect or a veteran who can weave through the show floor blindfolded, there’s always room for a refresher or a few “wish someone had told me these” buying tips.
But first…
Here’s a quick 411 on Global Pet Expo 2025
From March 26-28, one of the pet industry’s largest annual trade show takes over the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, Florida. It’s the Super Bowl of pet product suppliers and buyers, but instead of one game, you get three days of:
- 1,100+ exhibitors showcasing 28,000+ pet food, treats, supplies, and more.
- 20,000+ pet industry pros to network with.
- 50+ educational sessions covering everything from customer experience to PR and marketing.
Ready to shop smart? We have the tips you need!
Preshow planning: Scope out your high-priority pet product suppliers
With over 3,400 booths to browse, having a game plan will save you from wandering aimlessly with sore feet and walking away with sparkly cat bowls you definitely don’t need.
- Run your reports. Pull your POS numbers to figure out what’s flying off your shelves and what’s collecting dust. Then, make a shopping list with three categories: must-haves, maybes, and hard passes.
- Know your customers: Opening a pet retail shop? Get a pulse on what your local pet parents want—particularly women aged 20-40, who make up the fastest-growing group of pet owners—and make sure your inventory mirrors their needs.
- Set your budget boundaries. Not just your overall spending cap but category-specific budgets. Decide how much goes to treats, premium food, toys, and impulse items. You can also check out the exhibitors’ websites ahead of time to get a feel for their pricing and order minimums.
- Map your must-sees. Use Global Pet Expo’s Official Event App as your GPS to avoid zig zagging across the massive aisles. Mark the booths you absolutely don’t want to skip and plan an efficient route. Bonus points for snapping pics and taking notes in the app for later!
During the show: Ordering from pet product suppliers
Once you hit the show floor, it’s time to put your preshow plan into action and prevent over-ordering.
- Stick to your priorities, but stay flexible. That shopping list you made? Use it as your guide, but be open to unexpected gems. If new products catch your heart eyes, ensure they fit within your budget (check what’s set aside for impulse buys)—especially if you’re starting a pet retail store and want to make each purchase count.
- Order with ease. If pre-booking is an option, lock in deals early. But before saying yes to a truckload of inventory, ask about minimum order quantities, show-only discounts, and flexible payment terms—or see if you can start with a smaller test order. Whether ordering on the spot or later, jot down the Global Pet Expo booth number, order deadlines, and any products that piqued your interest.
- Keep track of your orders. Grab copies of every order and set up a simple filing system to avoid mixups. Going digital? Take photos of order forms and create a dedicated folder for each vendor. Prefer paper? Sort your forms by booth number with color-coded labels.
- Score samples and sales tools. When you find products that make you think, “I’m sold,” request samples, training materials, and merchandising tips. The more your team knows, the easier it is to market to your customers!
Post-show: Follow up with pet product suppliers
The show’s over, your feet are screaming, and you’ve got a stack of orders to sort through. Deep breath—here’s how to turn that overwhelm into momentum.
- Organize your orders. Create a master spreadsheet to track purchases, payment terms, and expected delivery dates. Cross-reference it with the pictures you took or order forms you collected during the show. Then, follow up with your vendors to confirm all order details or check on the status of any back ordered items.
- Get your team ready. Kick off staff training to familiarize everyone with the new inventory. Share the samples and catalogs you picked up at the Global Pet Expo. Set up a Google Doc or Trello board with product links for easy access.
- Get your customers excited. If you’re opening a pet retail store or bringing in fresh inventory, this is where the fun begins. Share sneak peeks and unboxings on social media to build anticipation. You could even offer special promotions to encourage customers to try new items. By the time your shelves are stocked, your customers will be ready to grab them.
- Nurture your new vendor relationships. Don’t wait until next year’s show to talk again. Stay in touch for quick reorders on top sellers or better pricing on larger orders. Consider joint advertising campaigns, raffle prizes, and social media shoutouts to turn a once-a-year order placement into a long-term partnership.
Buy with strategy, sell with confidence!
The Global Pet Expo is the best place to bag the perfect-fit products and trend-setting innovations that will have pet parents flocking to your store. So, fill your shopping cart smartly!
But this trade show is a beast.
Blink, and you’ve lost half a day in a booth filled with gourmet dog biscuits! 👀
You’ve GOT this, Pet Boss! If you see Candace on the show floor, PLEASE stop her and ask her a picture! Then tag us on Instagram @petbossnation. See you there!
