This August, I had the privilege of travelling to Las Vegas for SuperZoo 2025 – the 75th anniversary edition of North America’s largest pet industry trade show. With more than 20,000 attendees, over 1,100 exhibitors (including nearly 500 first-timers), and over 1,000 new product launches, it was an event that broke records and set the tone for where our industry is heading.

As the Co-Founder of The Animal People Recruitment Company, specialists in Pet and Animal Health recruitment, I see events like SuperZoo through the lens of people, culture, and talent. For me, SuperZoo was about much more than the numbers. It was about the people, the ideas, and the values shaping the pet and animal health world — and how the right talent will always be the defining factor in who thrives.

From Global Pet Expo to SuperZoo

Having attended Global Pet Expo several times, and working across international markets in the pet and veterinary recruitment sector, I was genuinely excited to be invited to SuperZoo for the first time. That invitation came from the amazing Lashonda Geffrard, founder of Elevate (formerly the Black Pet Business Network). Lashonda asked me to join a panel on the Emerging Brands Stage to discuss Diversity & Inclusion in the pet industry – a subject that I care about deeply.

And before you roll your eyes, let’s be clear: diversity and inclusion isn’t about ticking boxes. It’s about building better businesses and stronger teams. After all, how can you have a pet brand that speaks authentically to such a wide range of pet owners, if your teams don’t reflect that same diversity? If everyone comes from the same background, you’ll only ever connect with one type of customer.

That’s why I was so excited to contribute to the conversation.

The Panel: Diversity & Inclusion in Action

On stage, I shared that the lack of diversity in business isn’t a pipeline problem – it’s a system problem. If systems aren’t designed to welcome difference, difference won’t thrive. The same applies to recruitment: if you always fish from the same pool, you’ll always catch the same fish.

Culture matters too. If people feel they have to shrink themselves to fit in, don’t be surprised when they leave. Diversity isn’t just good PR – it’s good business. Consumers (especially in the pet and animal health sectors) can spot authenticity a mile off.

I also want to give thanks to Jo Major, whose work on inclusive hiring has influenced my own approach. She continues to show that diverse recruitment practices are not only possible but essential to growth.

Being recognised in Vegas by people who follow my work on LinkedIn was an incredible moment. To meet people face-to-face who value the conversations we’re starting about talent, culture, and inclusivity in recruitment reinforced why I do what I do.

The Show Floor: Innovation Everywhere

The SuperZoo show floor was buzzing with creativity and fresh thinking. Among the biggest themes this year were:

• Sustainability in Pet Products – eco-conscious packaging and supply chain responsibility are now industry standard.
• Pet Wellness & Nutrition – from senior care solutions to functional supplements and mobility products.
• Pet Tech & Innovation – smart feeders, collars, and health tracking tools for modern pet parents.
• Gen Z Pet Owners – shaping product design, digital-first marketing, and diversity expectations.
• Authenticity in Branding – brands that live their values and reflect diverse communities are winning customer trust.

Even celebrity names were part of the mix — Katherine Heigl made an appearance to promote her own pet food brand "Badlands Ranch". I was gutted I didn't get to meet her, I'm a big fan of her acting work.

Life Beyond the Show

Of course, no trip to Vegas would be complete without a few adventures outside the show floor. I stayed at the Bellagio (highly recommend it) and enjoyed some incredible vegetarian food spots and cocktails. Highlights included discovering Fat Tuesdays, experiencing The Sphere’s Postcard from Earth, and taking in the views from Vegas’s answer to the London Eye.

The real surprise, though, was a night out at Gipsy, a historic gay nightclub Vegas. One evening felt like stepping into an episode of Pose — full of energy, performers, and community spirit. We even wrapped up the trip with a drag show there. Those moments of culture and connection made the trip unforgettable.

Why Talent Matters More Than Ever

Walking through SuperZoo, one truth stood out above all others: talent remains the greatest differentiator. Innovation and new product development are exciting, but without the right people to bring them to life, they mean very little.

Every successful pet and animal health brand I met had one thing in common — diverse, passionate, committed teams driving their success. At The Animal People Recruitment Company, we’ve seen it first-hand. The right people don’t just fill roles; they transform businesses, inspire teams, and connect brands more authentically with their customers.

This is exactly why we exist as specialist recruiters for the Pet and Animal Health industries — to ensure the sector continues to attract, nurture, and retain the talent it needs to thrive.

Looking Ahead

SuperZoo 2025 reinforced just how much opportunity there is in the global pet industry. It also highlighted where we can — and must — do better. Diversity and inclusion in hiring practices aren’t optional extras. They are the foundations for innovation, authentic branding, and long-term growth.

I’ll continue to live by the values that guide me and my business: Specialist. Honest. Kind. Inclusive.

A huge thank you to Lashonda Geffrard, the team at Elevate, and everyone who made SuperZoo such a memorable experience. I’ve come away inspired, energised, and even more committed to shaping the future of pet and animal health recruitment.

Until next year, SuperZoo!