Member Education Resources

APPA provides members with access to all of the webcasts previously presented. Members can login to access audio files and presentation slides for past webcasts.  

→APPA Members: Access All of the Archived Webcasts Here← 

Recent archived titles include:

• Panel Discussion with Nielsen on What to Expect in the Pet Category in 2023, Presented by Dave Bolen, Andrea Binder, Vice President of Retail Account Development NielsenIQ, Samuel Jay Smith, Client Manager of CPG Manufacturers, NielsenIQ, December 15, 2022 
• APPA Business Edge: Inflation Running Wild - What Industry Leaders are Thinking for 2022, Presented by Dave Bolen, Pet Retail Specialist and APPA Member Program Consultant, June 28, 2022 
• How To Get Ahead Of Your Competition To Gain That All Important Meeting With a Pet Specialty Distributor, Presented by John Lawton, VP of Business Development & Sustainability, Phillips Pet Food & Supplies and Carol Frank, Managing Director, BirdsEye Advisory Group, June 15, 2022 
• APPA National Pet Owners Survey Generational Report Volume 4, Newly Released Data! Presented by Julie Springer, APPA Market Research Analyst, May 5, 2022 
• Minimizing COVID Risk at Global Pet Expo 2022, Presented by Lindsey Reiser PhD, Managing Director of Professional Services, Epistemix. February 23, 2022 
• Marketing and Selling Across Generations: From Handshake to Hashtag, Presented by Scott Zimmer, Generational Keynote Speaker, BridgeWorks, December 16, 2021 
• APPA Business Edge Pet Retailer Series: IndiePet Association: Learn About Their Evolving Strategy and How it Could Help Your Business, Presented by Todd Dittman, Executive Director, IndiePet Association, Al Puntillo, Chief Merchant, Mud Bay and Dave Bolen, Pet Retail Specialist and APPA Member Program Consultant, December 8, 2021 
• Exporting Opportunities Amidst the Challenges of the Pandemic, Presented by Thomas A. Cook, Managing Director, Blue Tiger International, December 7, 2021 
• APPA 2021-2022 National Pet Owners Survey Overview, Presented by Julie Springer, APPA Market Research Analyst, December 2, 2021 
• Building a Direct to Consumer Business: The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly, Presented by Joel Morrow, Co-owner, Alchemy Bikes and Carol Frank, Managing Director, BirdsEye Advisory Group, October 28, 2021 
• APPA Business Edge Pet Retailer Series: Learn About Pet Supplies Plus, One of the Fastest Growing Pet Specialty Retailers in the U.S., Presented by Dave Bolen, Pet Retail Specialist and APPA Member Program Consultant and Chris Rowland, CEO, Pet Supplies Plus, October 20, 2021 
• Supply Chain Management: The Global Freight Market in Managing the Cost, Delay, Capacity and Demand Issues, Presented by Thomas A. Cook, Managing Director, Blue Tiger International, September 1, 2021 
• Developing a Differentiated Brand Identity that Resonates with Consumers, Presented by Anne Carlson, CEO & Founder, Jiminy's Dog Food and Carol Frank, Managing Director, BirdsEye Advisory Group, June 22, 2021 
• United States Pet Food Regulatory Update, Presented by Dr. Dave Dzanis, DVM, PhD, DACVN, June 15, 2021 
• A Shot In the Arm: What You Should Know About the COVID-19 Vaccine and Re-opening Your Office, Presented by Kara M. Maciel, Chair, Labor- Employment Practice Group, May 20, 2021 
• APPA Business Edge Pet Retailer Series: A Discussion with Alibaba and the Significant Opportunity in this Explosive E-commerce Channel, Presented by Dave Bolen, Pet Retail Specialist and APPA Member Program Consultant and Jack Li, Head of Business Development for Pets/Food/Home/Baby/Private Brands, Tmall Global & Kaola, North America, Alibaba, May 13, 2021 
• Navigating a New Normal – What Small Businesses Need to Know, presented by Jessica Summers, Strategic Policy Director and Employment Law Attorney, Small Business Legislative Council, May 6, 2021 
• APPA Business Edge Pet Retailer Series: Learn About Petco and How New and Existing Suppliers Can Work with This Innovative Retailer, Presented by Dave Bolen, Pet Retail Specialist and APPA Member Program Consultant and Nick Konat, Chief Merchant, Petco, April 21, 2021 

2020

• Export Finance Solutions: Access Capital, Eliminate Risk, Increase Success, Presented by Miguel Olivares, Senior International Trade Specialist, U.S. Department of Commerce and Richard Foy, Regional Director, Northeast, Export-Import Bank of the U.S., April 15, 20210 
• APPA Business Edge: How Manufacturers Can Best Work with The New IndiePet Organization, Presented by Dave Bolen, Pet Retail Specialist and APPA Member Program Consultant and Al Puntillo, Chief Merchant, Mud Bay, December 9, 2020 
• APPA Business Edge International Pet Retailer Series: Learn About Pets at Home - The Largest Pet Specialty Retailer in the UK, Presented by Dave Bolen, Pet Retail Specialist and APPA Member Program Consultant and Peter Pritchard, Group CEO, Pets at Home, November 19, 2020 
• Alternative Sourcing Strategies: Managing your Procurement Options, Presented by Tom Cook, Managing Director, Blue Tiger International, November 4, 2020 
• Latest 2020 Pet Business Trends and 2021 Forecasts with Packaged Facts, Presented by Dave Bolen, Pet Retail Specialist and APPA Member Program Consultant and David Sprinkle, Research Director, Packaged Facts, October 27, 2020 
• The Myths and Realities of Pet Industry Mergers and Acquisitions: Revelations from a Pet Industry M&A Insider, Presented by Carol Frank, Managing Director, BirdsEye Advisory Group, October 15, 2020 
• Managing the Recovery Process of the Global Supply Chain: Post Covid-19 Pandemic, Presented by Tom Cook, Managing Director, Blue Tiger International, October 6, 2020 
• Instagram: Marketing Tactics and Strategies to Implement in 2020, Presented by Emily Miethner, Co-founder, Your Cat Backpack by Travel Cat, October 1, 2020 
• APPA Business Edge International Pet Retailer Series: Discussion with the #1 Pet Retailer in Spain and Iberian Peninsula, Kiwoko, Presented by Dave Bolen, Pet Retail Specialist and APPA Member Program Consultant and Javi Osa, CEO, Kipenzi, July 22, 2020 
• APPA Business Edge International Pet Retailer Series: A Discussion with Mascotas Latinas, Peru, Presented by Dave Bolen, Pet Retail Specialist and APPA Member Program Consultant and Nicolas Mulder, CEO, Mascotas Latinas, June 24, 2020 
• On a Fast Growth Trajectory? Making Smart Decisions that will Prevent Growth from Hijacking your Business, Presented by Carol Frank, Managing Director, BirdsEye Advisory Group and Sean Hutchinson and Rob Johannigman of SVA Value Accelerators, June 16, 2020 
• Coronavirus Economic Impact Series Part 4: Update on the Economy, Presented by Dr. Chris Kuehl, Managing Director, Armada Corporate Intelligence, June 9, 2020 
• APPA Business Edge: Selling on Amazon During and Post COVID-19 - Are You Prepared for the New Normal? Presented by Dave Bolen, Pet Retail Specialist and APPA Member Program Consultant and Kathy Cummins, Head of Marketing and Global Analytics, HINGE Global, May 27, 2020 
• Eyes on Inventory 2020: The Pet Industry is GREAT, if You Can Reset Your Inventory, Presented by Anne Patterson, Principal, invguru.com and Russell Graf, VP Channel Management, NETSTOCK, May 19, 2020 
• Become a Rock Star Vendor to Top Pet Distributors: How to Successfully Launch Products in the Pet Specialty Space, Presented by Carol Frank, Managing Director, BirdsEye Advisory Group and John Lawton, Managing Director, JDL Consulting, May 7, 2020 
• Pet Care Community Virtual Town Hall, 2nd Edition Group Discussion: Helping Brick & Mortar Retailers: What We Can ALL Do Today to Help Them Recover Tomorrow, Presented by Pet Industry Leadership Summit and Summit co-sponsors APPA, PIDA, PIJAC and WPA, April 30, 2020;
• Coronavirus Economic Impact Series Part 3: Update on the Economy, Presented by Dr. Chris Kuehl, Managing Director, Armada Corporate Intelligence, April 28, 2020 
• APPA Business Edge: COVID-19 Series - Nielsen & Feeders Supply on Pet Retail Trends, Presented by Dave Bolen, Pet Retail Specialist and APPA Member Program Consultant, Maria Lange, VP of Strategic Initiatives (Pet and Cannabis Verticals), Nielsen, and Brannon Dixon, CEO, Feeders Supply, April 22, 2020 
• Coronavirus Economic Impact Series Part 2: Update on the Economy, Presented by Dr. Chris Kuehl, Managing Director, Armada Corporate Intelligence, April 20, 2020 
• Pet Care Community Virtual Town Hall Group Discussion: Safe Operations and Effective Communications During COVID-19 Crisis, Presented by Pet Industry Leadership Summit, APPA, PIDA, PIJAC, and WPA April 9, 2020 
• APPA Business Edge: Update on Business Trends and a Conversation with Packaged Facts on Their Revised Outlook for 2020, Presented by Dave Bolen, Pet Retail Specialist and APPA Member Program Consultant and David Sprinkle, Research Director, Packaged Facts, April 8, 2020 
• The Impact of the Coronavirus on the Supply Chain & Mitigative Strategies, Tom Cook, Managing Director, Blue Tiger International, April 1, 2020 
• Coronavirus Economic Impact Series: The Good, Bad and the Ugly - What Happens to the Economy Now? Presented by Chris Kuehl, Managing Director, Armada Corporate Intelligence, March 31, 2020 
• APPA Business Edge: Tips for a Super Successful Global Pet Expo, Presented by Dave Bolen, Pet Retail Specialist and APPA Member Program Consultant and Alice Tillet, CEO, Petmate, January 23, 2020 

2019

• APPA Business Edge Pet Retailer Series: How Central Pet Distribution Can Help Grow Your Business– a Discussion with Keith Bornholtz, Presented by Dave Bolen, Pet Retail Specialist and APPA Member Program Consultant and Keith Borhholtz, President, Central Pet Distribution, December 4, 2019 
• CBD and Pet Products: Regulatory Update, Presented by Bill Bookout, President, National Animal Supplement Council, Board Certified Veterinary Nutritionist TM and John Fuson, Partner, Crowell & Moring LLP, Regulatory Enforcement Group, November 21, 2019 
• First-Time Exhibitor Presentation: Key Tips for Preparing for Global Pet Expo, Presented by Rob Noles, Director of National Accounts, GES - Global Experience Specialists, November 20, 2019 
• How to Market and Sell to Gen Z, Presented by Scott Zimmer, Generational Speaker/Consultant, BridgeWorks, October 29, 2019 
• David and Goliath: How Smaller Brands Can Compete Alongside the Big Players on Amazon, Presented by Marshall Hayes, CEO and Founder, Amplio Digital, October 22, 2019 
• Considering a Sale of Your Company? How to Prepare Your Company to Receive a Premium Valuation, Presented by Erin Fenstermaker, Certified Exit Planning Advisor, BirdsEye Advisory Group and Carol Frank, Managing Director, BirdsEye Advisory Group, October 17, 2019 
• APPA Business Edge Pet Retailer Series: A Conversation with Feeders Supply CEO, Pam Longwell, Presented by Dave Bolen, Pet Retail Specialist and APPA Member Program Consultant, October 2, 2019 
• Fundamental Strategies to Manage Export-Import Regulations and Compliance Issues, Presented by Kelly Raia, VP of Trade Compliance, Blue Tiger International, September 19, 2019 
• APPA Business Edge Retailer Series: A Discussion with Hollywood Feed President and Founder, Shawn McGhee, Presented by Dave Bolen, Pet Retail Specialist and APPA Member Program Consultant and Shawn McGhee, President and Founder, Hollywood Feed, LLC, September 12, 2019 
• APPA Business Edge Pet Retailer Series: Mud Bay - Learn About Their Business and Strategies, Presented by Dave Bolen, Pet Retail Specialist and APPA Member Program Consultant and Al Puntillo, Cheif Merchant, Mud Bay, August 8, 2019 
• Connecting with YOUR Consumer, Presented by Michael Johnson, President, FINN CADY Strategy and Brand and Carol Frank, Managing Director, BirdsEye Advisory Group, August 7, 2019 
• Managing Foreign Distributors and Agents, Presented by Tom Cook, Managing Director, Blue Tiger International, July 18, 2019 
• APPA Market Research - Using High Level Industry Insights to Grow Your Business, Presented by Julie Springer, APPA Market Research Analyst and Dave Bolen, Pet Retail Specialist and APPA Member Program Consultant, July 11, 2019 
• 2019-2020 APPA National Pet Owners Survey Overview, Presented by Julie Springer, APPA Market Research Analyst, June 27, 2019 
• The Future of Pet Consumer Behavior and Spending: Shifting Trends and Habits, Presented by Michael Johnson, President, FINN CADY Strategy & Brand and Carol Frank, Managing Director, MHT Partners, June 20, 2019 
• APPA Business Edge Pet Retailer Series: A Discussion with Petland, Presented by Rick Billups and Joe Watson from Petland and Dave Bolen, Pet Retail Specialist and APPA Member Program Consultant, June 13, 2019 
• Mitigating the Impact of Import Tariffs and 301 & 232 Tariffs, Presented by Tom Cook, Managing Director, Blue Tiger International, May 30, 2019 
• APPA Business Edge Retailer Series: Distributors Point of View - A Conversation with Pet Food Experts, Presented by Sean Kent, Vice President of Vendor Development, Pet Food Experts and Dave Bolen, Pet Retail Specialist and APPA Member Program Consultant, May 9, 2018 (60 minutes) 
• Best Practices for Working with Co-Manufacturers: Learn from the Gurus, Presented by Carol Frank, Managing Director, MHT Partners, Heather Govea, Vice President of Private Brands, CJ Foods, David Woodward, Chief Procurement Officer, Cosmic Pet (R2P Pet), May 8, 2019 (60 minutes) 
• APPA Business Edge: Pet Retailer Series: A Conversation with Pet Food Express, Presented by Michael Levy, Founder and Owner of Pet Food Express and Dave Bolen, APPA Member Program Consultant, April 11, 2019 (60 minutes) 
• APPA Business Edge: Case Study in Innovation: Learn How JustFoodForDogs Successfully Positioned Their Company in Retail, Presented by Carey Tischler, CEO, Just Food for Dogs and Dave Bolen, APPA Member Program Consultant, February 21, 2019 (60 minutes) 
• APPA Business Edge: Perspective on Pet Specialty, Featuring Kriser’s Natural Pet, Presented by Brad Kriser, President of Krisers and Dave Bolen, Pet Retail Specialist and APPA Member Program Consultant, January 17, 2019 (60 minutes) 

2018

• Selling and Marketing to the Four Generations, Presented by Scott Zimmer, Keynote Speaker and Consultant, BridgeWorks, December 19, 2018 (60 minutes) 
• APPA Business Edge: Pet Industry Year in Review - Looking Back on Changes and Challenges, Presented by Dave Bolen, Pet Retail Specialist and APPA Member Program Consultant, December 5, 2018 (60 minutes) 
• APPA Business Edge: Strategies to Increase Sales on Amazon, Presented by Fred Killingsworth, Founder and CEO, Hinge Consulting and Dave Bolen, Pet Retail Specialist and APPA Member Program Consultant, November 15, 2018 (60 minutes) 
• Consumer Behavior 101 - How Understanding Your Customer's Behavior will Drive Profits, Dr. Peter McGraw, Associate Professor of Marketing and Psychology, University of Colorado Boulder’s Leeds School of Business, Carol Frank, Managing Director, MHT Partners, October 25, 2018 (60 minutes) 
• Selling to Pet Specialty: Tips for Implementing Successful Sales Strategies, Presented by Trish Elkind, CEO, Pet People Enterprises and Dave Bolen, Pet retail specialist, October 18, 2018 (60 minutes) 
• Mitigating the Impact of the New 301 & 232 Tariffs PART 2, Presented by Tom Cook, Managing Director, Blue Tiger International, October 17, 2018 (60 minutes) 
• Mitigating the Impact of the New 301 & 232 Tariffs, Part 1, Presented by Tom Cook, Managing Director, Blue Tiger International, October 4, 2018 (60 minutes) 
• Developing Your Global Sourcing Strategy, Presented by Tom Cook, Managing Director, Blue Tiger International, August 9, 2018 (60 minutes) 
• APPA Business Edge: How to Use Market Research to Improve Your Business, Presented by Dave Bolen, CEO, The Bolen Group and APPA Member Program Consultant and Maria Lange, Business Group Director, Gfk USA, June 19, 2018 (50 minutes)
• Building a Digital Presence to Drive Revenue and Customer Loyalty, Presented by Trish Thomas, CEO of TEEM Marketing and Carol Frank, Managing Director, MHT Partners, June 7, 2018 (60 minutes)
• APPA Export/Import Solutions- Developing Your Export Sales Strategy, Presented by Thomas A. Cook, Managing Director, Blue Tiger International, May 24, 2018 (60 minutes)
• Spotlight On: APPA’s Generational Report – Volume 2 and Other APPA Market Research, presented by Julie Springer, APPA Market Research Analyst, May 17, 2018 (45 minutes)
• APPA Business Edge: Trade Show Success Strategies- Best Practices for Global Pet Expo and Other Trade Show, presented by Dave Bolen, Pet Retail Specialist and Business Consultant, Kevin Fick, CEO, Worldwise and Alice Tillet, CEO, Petmate, February 22, 2018 (60 minutes)
• Cyber Security Issues In Global Trade: Avoiding Costly Mistakes, Presented by Thomas A. Cook, Managing Director, Blue Tiger International, February 15, 2018 (60 minutes)

2017

• Creating Sales Into Foreign Markets, Presented by Thomas A. Cook, Managing Director, Blue Tiger International, December 14, 2017 (60 minutes)
• APPA Business Edge, Presented by Dave Bolen, Pet Retail Specialist and Consultant, December 13, 2017 (45 minutes)
• How to Stock Your Toolbox with Resources for Successful Pet Food Exporting, presented by Dennis Lynch, Export Counselor, Food Export – USA and Food Export - Northeast and Joshua Dillard, Deputy Director, Food Export – USA, November 30, 2017 (60 minutes)
• Take the Fear Out of Exporting and Increase Your International Sales, presented by Jennifer Simpson, Regional Director, Eastern Region, Export-Import Bank of the U.S., November 16, 2017 (30 minutes)
• Food, Fur and Beyond:   A Fresh Look at Pet Wellness, Presented by David Sprinkle, Research Director, Packaged Facts,  November 8, 2017 (60 minutes)
• New Trump Administration on International Business: Concerns and Opportunities,  Presented by Thomas A. Cook, Managing Director, Blue Tiger International, October 26, 2017 (60 minutes)
• Maximizing Your Pet Company's Value in 90 Days,  Presented by Shina Culberson, President of Quist and Moderated by Carol Frank. Managing Director, MHT Partners, October 24, 2017 (60 minutes)
• Pet Product Marketing in Today's Digital Era, Presented by Tierra Bonaldi, Principal  and Katie Hippert, Digital Media Manager at The Impetus Agency, October 11, 2017 (60 minutes)
• "I've Gotten the Big Order.  Now What?", Presented by Rick Rockhill, Executive Vice President and Partner at Lucy Pet Products and Carol Frank, Managing Director, MHT Partners, April 25, 2017 (60 minutes)
• Natural Products, Pet Wellness, and the New Pet Parent, Presented by David Sprinkle, Research Director, Packaged Facts, January 25, 2017 (60 minutes)

2016

• The Top Mistakes Entrepreneurs Make When Selling Their Business, Presented by Pamela Dennis, PhD, Organizational Development Consultant and Carol Frank, Managing Director, MHT Partners, December 1, 2016 (60 minutes)
• Import Compliance Update, Presented by Rennie Alston, CEO, American River Group of Companies, November 17, 2016 (60 minutes)
• Mastering Negotiation Skill Sets, Presented by Neil Lenok, Managing Director, American River Group of Companies, October 27, 2016 (60 minutes)
• The Ins and Outs of Licensing a Pet Product, Presented by Nicole A. Ressue, Intellectual Property Attorney.  Moderated by Carol Frank, Managing Director, MHT Midspan, September 27, 2016 (60 minutes)
• Breaking Into the Millennial Mind - Strategies for Recruiting, Retaining & Engaging, Presented by Scott Zimmer, Generational Expert and Keynote Speaker, BridgeWorks, June 16, 2016 (70 minutes)
• Harmonized Tariff Schedule (HTS) Classification, Determination & Compliance, Presented by Jasmin Marin, Senior International Trade Consultant at American River Group of Companies, June 9, 2016 (60 minutes)
• Exporting in a Manner Compliant with U.S. Government Regulations, Presented by Sarah Reynolds, Senior Consultant / Trainer and Vice President of Operations, American River Group of Companies, May 4, 2016 (60 minutes)
• Launching a Brand: Part II in a series on Creating and Launching a Brand, Presented by Rick Rockhill, Managing Partner and Co-founder, Zarhill Partners and Carol Frank, Managing Director, MHT Midspan, April 26, 2016 (60 minutes)
• Developing a Brand Identity, Presented by Rick Rockhill, Managing Partner and Co-founder, Zarhill Partners and Carol Frank, Managing Director, MHT Midspan, February 4, 2016 (60 minutes)

2015

• Best Practices for Sourcing Pet Products in China, Presented by  Neil Lenok, Managing Director, American River Group of Companies, December 16, 2015 (60 minutes)
• Pulling Back the Curtain on Private Equity, Presented by Carol Frank, Managing Director, MHT MidSpan and Jeremy Holland, Principal, The Riverside Company and Owner of Outward Hound, December 15, 2015 (60 minutes)
• Are you Recall Ready?  Learn How to Be Prepared for the Unthinkable, Presented by Roger Hancock, Founder and President, Recall InfoLink, and John Kirkpatrick, Director of Sales, Recall InfoLink, December 10, 2015 (45 minutes)
• Best Practices for Dealing with FDA Regulated Imports, Presented by Jasmin Marin, Senior International Trade Consultant, American River Group of Companies, December 3, 2015 (60 minutes)
• Export AES Compliance Management, Presented by Sarah Reynolds,  Senior Consultant/Trainer and Vice President of Operations, American River Group of Companies, November 19, 2015 (60 minutes)
• Successfully Raising Capital to Fund Your Growing Pet Business, Presented by Pat Robinson, Business Development Manager, CircleUp, and Carol Frank, Managing Director, MHT MidSpan, October 27, 2015 (60 minutes)
• Understanding INCOTERMS (International Commercial Terms) and How it Affects Imports & Exports, Presented by Neil Lenok, American River Group of Companies, June 11, 2015 (60 minutes)
• eveloping Export Sales Opportunities, Presented by Neil Lenok, American River Group of Companies, May 7, 2015 (60 minutes)
• The Myths and Realities of Pet Industry Mergers and Acquisitions: Revelations from Two Pet Industry M&A Insiders, Presented by Craig Lawson, Co-founder, MHT MidSpan and Carol Frank, Managing Director, MHT MidSpan, April 23, 2015 (60 minutes)

2014

• Gaining a Competitive Advantage by Importing Your Pet Products, Presented by Neil Lenok, Managing Director, American River Group of Companies, October 23, 2014 (60 minutes)
• What is a minimum risk pesticide and how is it regulated? Presented by Leslie Garcia and Micah Reynolds, Senior Regulatory Consultants, Technology Sciences Group Inc., October 7, 2014 (60 minutes)
• How to Select and Manage Your International Carriers, Freight Forwarder, and Custom House Broker, Presented by Neil Lenok, Managing Director, American River Group of Companies, October 2, 2014 (60 minutes)
• Demystifying Exports:  Exporting is Profitable, Presented by Neil Lenok, Managing Director, American River Group of Companies, August 21, 2014 (60 Minutes)