Mars president at plant opening

Luc Mongeau, president of Mars Petcare US, explains the new plant's LEED Gold certification.

Arkansas gov. at Mars plant opening

Gov. Mike Beebe of Arkansas congratulates Mars Petcare US on its new plant in Ft. Smith, Ark.

All in one place

Thad Simons, president and CEO of Novus, says one goal of the new headquarters was to bring all Novus Missouri employees under one roof.

The guv is here

Governor Jay Nixon of Missouri addresses the audience at the opening ceremony of the new Novus headquarters.

Fine art

Looks like a painting; it's actually thread! The new Novus headquarters features art from local artists, even an art fair.

Fitness first

Besides being built with sustainable practices and materials, Novus International's new headquarters was designed with its employees well being in mind.

Amenities include a fitness center with three daily classes, equipment, trainers and free healthy lunches.

Keeping employees up-to-date

Novus International's new headquarters has a digital board that continually updates commodity prices, global ag news, weather at all of the company's global locations and photos of the headquarter's construction.

Rotary molding

Weidenmiller Co. Displays how dog biscuits are made.

Eye-catching graphic

Cute graphics are everywhere!

Natural ingredients

Unique Ingredients displays some natural foods.

Welcome!

More than 1,000 attendees are at the forum.

Cyber Cafe

Attendees check e-mail and stay connected.

Sold out!

Petfood Forum exhibit space is sold out and has overflow exhibits. Looks like the petfood industry is recession proof.

Petfood equipment

Cablevey Conveyors showing a system with low energy, noise and minimal dust and degradation.

Petfood packaging

Exopack displays different packaging options.

Delicious dog treats

Petfood Ingredients showcases dog treats that will make your mouth water.

Cutest giveaway

Empyreal 75 demos its protein powder that aims to help dogs get ripped.

Snazzy petfood bags

Cady Bag Co. displays woven polypropylene bags.

Petfood ingedients

FDP USA showcases different ingredients, such as vegetables and fruit, that may end up in new petfood formulations.

Cutest giveaway

AFB Intl' cat frames are a hit!

Poster sessions

Petfood Forum attendees learn about nutrition research after lunch.

Dr. Becker book signing

Popular GMA contributor and author, Dr. Becker, signs books for Petfood Forum attendees.

Nutro holds casino night

After-hours events at Global Pet Expo: the annual reception and, next door, Nutro Casino Night.

Natural Balance, Petco and Paula

At its booth at Global Pet Expo, Natural Balance showcased its program with Petco, independent pet stores and entertainer Paula Abdul to support guide dog organizations across the US.

Intro to raw diets for pet retailers

Bravo and Nature's Variety have invited their raw petfood competitors to join them in a talk with pet retailers at the H.H. Backer Spring Show in Baltimore, Maryland, USA, April 4.

It's by invitation only to 100 retailers to introduce them to the benefits of raw and all-natural diets, Bravo says.

Yes, it's a blue buffalo

Seen at, where else, the Blue Buffalo booth at Global Pet Expo.

The company is launching a new Longevity line of petfood.

Big news from Sergeant's

Sergeant's Pet Care Products launched a new behavior collar designed to mimic the pheromones of mother dogs that keep puppies in line.

In petfood news, Sergeant's announced it has acquired Chomp Inc., maker of pet treats.

Dr. Becker's new awards

Marty Becker, DVM, keynote speaker for Petfood Forum 2009 (shown here with Bob Vetere, president of American Pet Products Association), announced his Best in Show, award-winning products at Global Pet Expo.

No petfoods on the list, but he did select a new pet water fountain from Drinkwell, plus some toys and a pet grooming vacuum attachment.

New APPA report, figures

American Pet Products Association announced at Global Pet Expo that US petfood sales grew 4% last year, to US$16.8 billion.

APPA projects 3-4% growth for petfood this year and that these products will lead the economic recovery.

Smoothies for dogs

Another new treat for the canine crew to start Day 2 of Global Pet Expo.

Ellen in the house (not quite)

Tonight Ellen Degeneres was given the Excellence in Journalism Award from the American Pet Products Association.

She couldn't accept the award in person so she sent a video thank you.

Cinnabuns for the canine set

These new dog chews look just like cinnamon rolls--a new product from Dingo.

Another new product debuting here at Global Pet Expo: a pumpkin and cinnamon mixer for dry dog food, from VetScience (co-founded by vet experts at Texas A&M).

New line from Nestle Purina

Coming soon: a new line, Chef Michael's.

This was featured in the New Products Showcase at Global Pet Expo--no word on when the actual launch will happen.

Party Animal

A new line of certified-organic dog food, from Party Animal Pet Food of West Hollywood, California, USA.

Brand new chew

In the New Products Showcase at Global Pet Expo, the very first product I came to was Smartdips, a new dog chew dipped in a "scientific vitapet coating," according to manufacturer Old West Treat Co.

Nutriara now in the US

Nutriara, the Brazil-based petfood company and eighth largRush Direct est in the world, is introducing three of its product lines in the US here at Global Pet Expo, as part Rush Direct of the booth.

Precise relaunching

Precise Pet Products has been around since 1931 and has always had natural, safe petfoods.

But now it's hired a new leader, upgraded its plant and is letting the industry know. (Read more in an upcoming issue of the magazine.)

Only in Orlando

At the breakfast buffet before Global Pet Expo, the largest pet trade show in the US.

Lots of new product introductions--next post will be from the show!

Extrusion short course

From the Feeds and Petfood Extrusion short course at Texas A&M University, Feb. 1-6, 2009.