How to prepare for a pet business event

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Going to a pet business event is an investment – both financially and in terms of time. So if you’re making the effort, you’ll want to get the most from it.

Events are brilliant for connecting with like-minded people, sparking new ideas, and finding collaboration opportunities.

They also remind you that you’re not alone in the highs and lows of running a pet business.

In this post, I’m sharing practical ways to prepare for an event so you get maximum value, plus insights from other pet professionals on how they approach industry events.

And if you’d love to come along to one of my events, head to my newsletter sign-up to be the first to hear when new dates are released.

1. Be present

You’ve paid to be at the event, so make the most of it. It’s an excuse to step away from your phone and be fully in the moment – not being mithered by the kids, checking emails or scrolling social media.

Some ways to stay present:

Set your out-of-office so you’re not worrying about emails.
Let clients know in advance that you’ll be unavailable.
Have real conversations instead of sneaking glances at your phone.

Use your time at the event to connect with the people who are in the room

2. Treat yourself

If the event means traveling, think about booking a hotel or Airbnb nearby so you can fully immerse yourself in the experience. Think of it as a mini break for your business.

Taking time away from the day-to-day means you’ll be able to focus, recharge, and come back buzzing with fresh ideas.

So don’t feel guilty about splashing out on a nice hotel – it’s an investment in you and your business.

3. Get organised with a pre-event checklist

A little planning makes a massive difference. Having a pre-event checklist means you won’t be scrambling around last minute or turning up without something important.

Essentials to pack

Notebook and pens – or an iPad if you prefer digital notes
Business cards or a scannable QR code
Laptop and charger – if needed
Voice recording app – like Otter AI to capture insights
Comfortable clothing and shoes – especially for trade shows
Water bottle and snacks – I always provide both but you don’t want to be hangry!

Logistics to plan

Travel arrangements – Are you driving? Have you booked parking? Are your train tickets sorted?
Accommodation – If you’re staying overnight, is your hotel close to the venue?
Event schedule – Check the agenda so you don’t miss key talks or networking slots.
Key contacts – Who do you want to connect with? Follow them on social media beforehand.

Social and promotional prep

Let your audience know you’re attending – pre-schedule a social post.
Engage with the event hashtag – before, during, and after.
Plan your follow-ups – have a system for keeping track of new connections.

Kate Hendry from Finbo Studio has put together a handy Crufts checklist to help you feel fully prepared.

Even if you’re not heading to Crufts, it’s a great resource for getting organised before an event.

Some organisers provide pens, pads, paper and post it’s but it’s good to take what you need

4. Shout about it before you go

Poodle specialist Shelina Duke says: “Shout about it before you go. Let your audience know you’re going, when and where to find you, and encourage them to come say hi.”

Talking about an event before you go is great for a few reasons:

It shows your audience you’re serious about investing in yourself and your business.
It helps you connect with other attendees ahead of time.
It builds excitement and engagement within your community.

So post about what you’re looking forward to, who you hope to meet, and what you’re excited to learn. You never know who might spot it and reach out!

If you’re going to a big industry event, writing a blog or a social post about what you took away can help you stand out.

It’s also a brilliant way to build relationships with the organisers and speakers.

For example, I’ve shared posts after attending:

For smaller events, even a simple social media post tagging the organiser will mean the world to them!

You can share your thoughts in a blog, an email to your audience, or just a quick Instagram post about what you found useful.

6. Implement what you learn

Ever come away from an event with a notebook full of ideas, only to do… nothing? It happens to all of us.

Think of an event like a buffet – you don’t need to try everything.

Instead, pick a couple of things that actually make sense for you and your business.

For example:

If someone at the event is raving about TikTok but you hate video, don’t feel like you have to jump on it.
If you hear a great tip for writing better emails and you already send a newsletter, try it out in your next one.

Be realistic about what you can implement and stick to the platforms you already use, rather than trying to do everything at once.

7. Capture your takeaways

Before you head home, while it’s all still fresh, jot down:

Three key takeaways
One thing you’re actually going to put into action
People you want to follow up with

When I spoke at this event, I created a workbook to capture the key messages

8. Take loads of photos!

Taking loads of photos is also a good idea – you never know when you’ll want to refer back to them or use them in your content.

And caption them with names, so you can find them easily afterwards.

With May King Tsang at Pods Up North in 2019

9. Extra event tips from pet professionals

Here’s what other pet professionals have to say about making the most of events:

Gareth Dickinson from Forever Home Dog Training suggests: “Try to reach out to the audience so you know what extra considerations may be needed to be taken into account. I contact the organiser/admin and ask if they are happy for any kind of demonstration.”
Shelina Duke from Go With The Flo says: “Shout about it before you go. Let your audience know you’re going, when and where to find you, and encourage them to come say hi.”
Kate Hendry from Finbo Studio has put together a handy Crufts checklist here to help you get organised before an event as an exhibitor.
And Kimberly Freeman from City Dog Expert has this post about how to make sure you get through the day at Crufts when you’re there shopping!

And finally, if an organiser doesn’t send a pre-event checklist, don’t be afraid to contact them

Whether it’s dietary needs, accessibility requirements, neurodivergence or something else that’ll help you feel comfortable – they’d much rather know in advance than have you worrying on the day.

I’d love to hear your best advice for preparing for a pet business event!

Send me a message @rachelspenceruk on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, or LinkedIn.

And if you want to be the first to know when I’m running an event, sign up for my newsletter.