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Inspirational Keynote: Anthony Robles
9:00 am – 10:15 am
My Story: Unstoppable
Born with only one leg, Anthony Robles is a remarkable success story. The 2011 NCAA Wrestling Champion, Recipient of the Jimmy V Award for Perseverance, ESPN ESPY Award Winner and Author of Unstoppable: From Underdog to Undefeated: How I Became a Champion, lives by the mantra: “I am UNSTOPPABLE.”
Robles’ autobiography inspired the 2024 film, Unstoppable. Now he travels the country to share his extraordinary story about how to wrestle with the challenges that life brings your way and come out on top.
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Technology Keynote: Dr. Shawn DuBravac
10:45 am – 11:45 am
Shaping the Future of the Pet Industry
A Special Introduction From Dr. Shawn DeBravac
Dr. Shawn DuBravac served for 12 years as the chief economist and senior director of research at the Consumer Electronics Association (CEA). He is the author of the New York Times best seller, Digital Density: How the New Age of Data Will Transform the Way We Work, Live, and Communicate.” The book focuses on the technological forces that are shaping tomorrow and have permeated the edges of society and business today.
An internationally recognized thought leader and widely published analyst, DuBravac distills complex technical shifts into clear, actionable insights for business leaders who want to understand the changing landscape and identify the opportunities that lie ahead.
Strategy Keynote: Nancy Giordano
9:00 am — 10:15 am
Leadership to Leadering
One of the world’s top female futurists and the first TEDx licensee, Nancy Giordano helps enterprise organizations and leaders transform to meet the world ahead. Her expertise ranges from AI to reinventing the internet, with a focus on transitioning away from outdated operating systems and toward more dynamic approaches to what the future demands.
Fascinated by the intersection of technology, business, society and our own expanding consciousness; Giordano has consulted a portfolio of $60+ billion well-known brands on new organizational structures and mindsets to harness the significant technological innovations coming our way.
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Economic Keynote: Connor Lokar
10:45 am – 12:00 pm
Economic Outlook
Connor Lokar joined ITR Economics in 2014 — and like his revered predecessor, ITR’s retired Brian Beaulieu —he educates and captivates his audience with his quick wit and knack for storytelling.
As ITR Economics’ senior forecaster, Lokar has a particularly keen understanding of how economic forecasts are derived, enabling his clients to make the most of their economic outlooks. His dynamic approach emphasizes the applicability of economic intelligence and guides his audiences to action.
Industry Update: Michael Johnson
12:45 pm – 1:30 pm
People, Pets, and Priorities: Inside the Shifting U.S. Market
The U.S. leads the world in market size and pet spending but consumers are feeling the pinch everywhere — rising costs, shifting shopping habits and broader economic uncertainty are reshaping how they spend. This fresh, data-driven session will cut through the noise and show you how to prepare for what’s next.
You’ll learn:
Join us for an engaging, educational look at the state of the U.S. pet industry and what it means for your business.
Michael Johnson is the pet industry’s go-to authority on consumer insights and market dynamics. He advises brands, manufacturers, retailers, distributors and veterinarians on how to navigate the evolving pet market — and how to position products, programs and services to connect more effectively with today’s pet consumers.
With more than 25 years of experience in marketing, strategic planning and consumer and market research across the Food, Drug, Mass, Wholesale and Pet channels, Michael brings both breadth and depth of perspective.
A sought-after speaker, he has delivered lectures on pet trends at major industry events including the Pet Industry Leadership Summit, SuperZoo, Interzoo, Petfood Forum, Petfood Processing Exchange, APPA, the Pet Industry Executive Summit and Pet Fair Southeast Asia; as well as at numerous retailer, veterinary and distributor conferences.
His insights and commentary regularly appear in leading trade publications, and he has authored and/or been sourced or cited in Pet Business, Pet Age, Pet Product News, Petfood Industry, Pet Food Processing, All Paws Magazine and Veterinary Advantage, among others.
Entertainment & Emcee: David Wilk
Founding Member of the Four Day Weekend Comedy Theaters
Corporate speaker and co-founder of the Four Day Weekend Comedy Theaters, David Wilk has dedicated his career to making meetings fun.
He travels the globe as an emcee and speaker for a client list that reads like a “who’s who” of the Fortune 500. Comedy has led Dave on amazing adventures. He presented a keynote speech for the U.S. Congress during the Obama administration and headlined an International Armed Forces tour at the request of former president George W. Bush. His amazing ride is chronicled in the best-selling book, Happy Accidents, The Transformative Power of ‘Yes, And’ at Work and in Life.