WVC Annual Conference 2026

• DatesFebruary 14–18, 2026
• VenueMandalay Bay Convention Center
• LocationLas Vegas, NV, United States
• CategoryPet & Animal
• Official websiteviticusgroup.org

About WVC Annual Conference 2026

WVC Annual Conference 2026 is a pet and animal conference that took place February 14–18, 2026 at Mandalay Bay Convention Center in Las Vegas, NV, United States. It ran for five days, from Saturday to Wednesday.

Shows like this one typically draw pet retailers, distributors, groomers, veterinarians, breeders and pet product buyers. For registration, exhibitor packages and the floor plan, go to the official website, viticusgroup.org.

ShowFloorTips is an independent guide and is not affiliated with the organizer. Dates, venues and rules can change, so confirm the details with the organizer before you book.

What to expect at WVC Annual Conference 2026

Pet industry shows are product-focused and friendly, with buyers looking for new products, margins and reliable supply. Some include public days with pet owners.

Over five days, traffic usually peaks on the first two days and thins out on the last one. The quieter final day is a good time for longer conversations, visiting other stands and meeting suppliers. At events like this, expect most visitors to be pet retailers and their colleagues, often with a short list of suppliers they want to see.

How exhibitors should prepare for WVC Annual Conference 2026

Planning for the next edition (dates expected, not yet confirmed), here is a working timeline counted back from February 20, 2027:

1. 16 weeks before (Oct 31, 2026)
   Confirm your booth space and read the exhibitor manual. Book hotels near Mandalay Bay Convention Center while rates are still normal.
2. 8 weeks before (Dec 26, 2026)
   Order booth services (power, internet, furniture, cleaning) before the early-rate deadlines, and send graphics to print.
3. 4 weeks before (Jan 23, 2027)
   Ship freight to the advance warehouse if the organizer offers one. Book meetings with the visitors you most want to see. Set up lead capture and train the team on it.
4. One week before (Feb 13, 2027)
   Confirm freight arrived, share the staffing schedule, charge every device, and test your lead capture app with Wi-Fi turned off.

Preparation tips for pet and animal shows

• Know wholesale prices, margins and minimum orders.
• Bring samples and clear ingredient or material information.
• Check rules on live animals and food sampling at the venue.

Booth tips for WVC Annual Conference 2026

• Show the product in use with photos or demos.
• Ask what type of store or business the buyer runs.
• Have show-only offers ready for retailers.
• Walk the hall at Mandalay Bay Convention Center during move-in to see which entrances and aisles carry the most traffic, and set up your booth so it faces that flow.
• Plan shifts of three to four hours. Standing and talking for five days wears people out, and tired staff let good leads walk past.
• Capture every conversation the moment it ends: scan the badge or card, add a one-line note about what the visitor needs, and rate the lead hot, warm or cold. Notes written that evening are already half forgotten.

For a full list of what to bring, use the free booth checklist, and plan the money side with the trade show ROI calculator.

Following up leads after WVC Annual Conference 2026

Most of the value of a trade show is created after it closes. Retail buyers respond to clear terms, so follow up with pricing and reorder details.

1. Within 24 hours
   Send a short personal email to every hot lead, mentioning one detail from your conversation.
2. Within 3 days
   Send what you promised at the booth and log every lead in your CRM with its rating and notes.
3. After two weeks
   Make a second, useful touch: a case study, a short video or an answer to their question.
4. After a month
   Review results: meetings booked, cost per lead, and whether the show is worth repeating.

Ready-to-edit messages for each step are in our trade show follow-up email templates.

Getting to Las Vegas

Fly into Harry Reid International Airport (LAS), about 15 minutes by car from the Strip and the Las Vegas Convention Center. The Las Vegas Monorail runs along the east side of the Strip to the convention center, and the Venetian Expo and Mandalay Bay sit on the Strip itself. Big show weeks push room rates up sharply, so book early and check for resort fees. International visitors should check whether they need a visa or an ESTA before booking travel.

Hotels closest to the venue sell out first during show week, and many organizers offer discounted room blocks that close weeks before the show, so book early. Our city travel guides cover hotels, transport and budgeting for the busiest show cities.

More shows to consider