8th Annual Pet Connect USA 2025

Pet Connect USA
The Home of Pet Business & Innovation

Scale Smarter. Engage Pet Parents. Unleash Profit Potential.

December 2-4, 2025
Fairmont Century Plaza, Los Angeles

The 8th Annual Pet Connect is the must-attend event for pet industry leaders—from startup pups to big dogs.

Known for its intimate networking, this is where C-suite execs, investors, and innovators come to sniff out the biggest trends, make meaningful connections, and unleash new growth.

Born from the Petcare Innovation Series, Pet Connect delivers insightful talks, strategic matchmaking, and real conversations that help pet businesses of all sizes thrive.

Core topics for 2025:

  • Scaling & Exit Strategy
  • Go-to-Market & E-commerce
  • Pet Tech Innovation
  • Veterinary Workforce Solutions

Join us in Beverly Hills to sit, stay, and lead the future of pet.

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About

Speaker Hall of Fame

Dr Molly McAllister

Dr Molly McAllister

Chief Medical Officer

Mars Veterinary Health

Dr Molly McAllister

Dr Molly McAllister

Chief Medical Officer
Mars Veterinary Health

Bruce Truman

Bruce Truman

President and Founder

BLT Technology & Innovation Group

Bruce Truman

Bruce Truman

President and Founder
BLT Technology & Innovation Group

Candise Goodwin

Candise Goodwin

Founder

Outlier Advisors

Candise Goodwin

Candise Goodwin

Founder
Outlier Advisors

Candise Goodwin is a recognized leader in the pet industry, with over 15 years of experience helping companies navigate market complexity, scale solutions, and deliver measurable impact. Her background spans pivotal roles at industry leaders including Merck Animal Health, Vets First Choice, VIP Petcare/PETIQ, and Petco, where she led major digital transformations and launched numerous high-profile, industry-changing growth initiatives.  

Candise has dedicated her career to understanding the challenges and opportunities within the pet industry. She has worked closely with retailers, veterinary groups, pet technology companies, product and service providers, and pharmacies - developing a holistic, customer-centric viewpoint of the industry's unique ecosystem along the way. 

Today, Candise extends her expertise to clients seeking to navigate the complexities of the market. Her firm, Outlier Advisors, provides strategic consulting services that reflect her distinctive blend of innovative thinking, deep industry knowledge, and ability to spot emerging trends. Outlier Advisors partners with industry leaders, investors, and startups to develop actionable strategies that meet the demands of an evolving pet landscape. 

Candise is also a sought-after speaker, advisor, author, and mentor, known for sharing rare and multifaceted insights and practical strategies with fellow Outliers.   

 

Brendan Lynch

Brendan Lynch

SVP, Urgent Care Hospitals and Innovation

VCA Animal Hospitals

Brendan Lynch

Brendan Lynch

SVP, Urgent Care Hospitals and Innovation
VCA Animal Hospitals

Stephen Kirton

Stephen Kirton

President

Circa Healthcare

Stephen Kirton

Stephen Kirton

President
Circa Healthcare

Robert Diamond

Robert Diamond

Co-Owner & CEO

Identicare

Robert Diamond

Robert Diamond

Co-Owner & CEO
Identicare

 

Robert is a successful entrepreneur with a track record of creating value from customer data.

 

 

Robert is the co-owner and CEO of identicare, the UK’s largest pet microchip registration and pet protection services provider.  Identi offers recurring-revenue subscription services to over 4 Million pet owners.  In Feb 2024 Robert bought out his joint venture partner (Animalcare PLC) with backing from Bridgepoint Group, one of the UK’s leading private asset investors, in a transaction valued at £30 Million. 

 

At the same time Robert continues to oversee Fernbrook Partners, a private portfolio covering early-stage technology and lifestyle investments and commercial property acquisition, development and leasing.

 

From 2011 - 2017 Robert helped the acquisition, turnaround and successful sale of RAC, the world’s oldest motoring organisation.  In his executive role as Managing Director Motoring Services, he oversaw the data assets of RAC’s 8.2 Million members and also ran six data / digital businesses.  He was actively involved in the post-acquisition integration of RAC by Carlyle Private Equity and subsequent exit to GIC Singapore in 2014 and CVC Partners in 2015.

 

Prior to this, in 2001 Robert founded what became emnos - the leading provider of ‘customer centric’ services and decision-support tools.  Clients included top retailers (Target, Walgreens, Morrisons, Waitrose, Boots, Co-operative Group) and their FMCG suppliers.  The business was sold to Palamon Private Equity in 2007 and sold on to American Express in 2011.

 

Robert spent the previous 13 years in marketing and sales roles in the consumer and retail industries.

 

Robert is an elected member and former board director of the Young Presidents Organisation and regular media contributor (and TED talker) on the use of customer data.  He lives in the UK with his wife and four children.

Miles Thorson

Miles Thorson

CEO

Odie Pet Insurance

Miles Thorson

Miles Thorson

CEO
Odie Pet Insurance

Susan Groeneveld

Susan Groeneveld

Founder

sylvester.ai

Susan Groeneveld

Founder
sylvester.ai

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1-1 Conversations

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View Vision Attendee List
  • Bruce Truman, President & Founder, BLT
    “This events is the best use of time and money. I make connections every year to advance my business and the businesses of our clients. A must attend. ”

    — Bruce Truman, President & Founder, BLT

  • Brian Garish, President, Mars Veterinary Health International
    “Pet Connect is where pet innovators connect with industry leaders and investors. It is a must attend event for our business. ”

    — Brian Garish, President, Mars Veterinary Health International

  • AUDREY WYSTRACH, DVM, CO-FOUNDER & CO-CEO, PETFOLK
    “This event is a great opportunity for individuals exploring new business models in the industry. It provides a unique collaboration between industry representatives, investors, and entrepreneurs.”

    — AUDREY WYSTRACH, DVM, CO-FOUNDER & CO-CEO, PETFOLK

  • Mindy Canon, Marketing Manager, EpiQ Animal Health
    “This event was amazing! In addition to wonderful sessions and speakers, the networking opportunities were plentiful. It was a pleasure to meet so many industry colleagues and learn about their businesses and roles.”

    — Mindy Canon, Marketing Manager, EpiQ Animal Health

  • Heidi Sirota, Pet Industry Strategic Growth Advisor
    “Annually, this is the best gathering of everyone from inventors and founders to funders and executives, all with the single-minded purpose of making pets healthier.”

    — Heidi Sirota, Pet Industry Strategic Growth Advisor

  • Lashonda Geffrard, Found & CEO, Black Pet Business Network
    “Attending this event could change your life, it could change the trajectory of your company.”

    — Lashonda Geffrard, Found & CEO, Black Pet Business Network

2025 Sponsors

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