Digital buyer journeys
What digital buyer journeys means for buyers and exhibitors in this sector.
Event overview
Overview
Animal Care Expo 2027 is the largest international educational conference and trade show for animal welfare professionals and volunteers. This year, it will be held at the Gaylord Texan Resort & Convention Center in Grapevine, Texas, from May 6-9.
The event will feature over 100 workshops across 12 tracks, providing attendees with valuable insights and networking opportunities. With more than 2,800 expected attendees, this is a key event for anyone involved in animal welfare.
TL;DR
- 1Dates and Venue: Animal Care Expo 2027 runs May 6-9 at Gaylord Texan Resort & Convention Center, Grapevine, Texas.
- 2Organiser: Hosted by Humane World for Animals, with registration available at humanepro.org/expo.
- 3Buyer Authority: Attendees include animal welfare professionals and volunteers from various sectors.
- 4Entry / Access: Registration is now open, with various options available for attendees.
Why visit
Attendees will benefit from networking with industry leaders, gaining insights from workshops, and exploring the latest products and services in animal care. Attendees include animal welfare professionals and volunteers from various sectors. Registration is now open, with various options available for attendees.
Why exhibit
Exhibiting at Animal Care Expo allows companies to showcase their products and services to a targeted audience of animal welfare professionals. Exhibitors gain visibility, access to networking opportunities, and the chance to engage directly with potential customers. Meet qualified buyers and partners including Suppliers of animal care products and services., Organizations focused on animal welfare and rescue., Veterinary service providers and equipment manufacturers..
Attendees, exhibitors & solutions
Who this event is for
Visitor profile
Typical attendee groups you can expect to meet.
Animal welfare professionals seeking best practices and innovative solutions.
Veterinarians looking to enhance their knowledge and skills.
Shelter and rescue organization staff interested in networking and resources.
Volunteers wanting to learn more about animal care and welfare.
Pet care service providers aiming to connect with industry leaders.
Educators and trainers in the animal welfare sector.
Exhibitor profile
Main supplier and exhibitor segments present at the show.
Suppliers of animal care products and services.
Organizations focused on animal welfare and rescue.
Veterinary service providers and equipment manufacturers.
Pet food and nutrition companies.
Training and behavior specialists in animal care.
Technology providers for animal welfare solutions.
Product categories
Key solution areas showcased across the event.
Animal care products and services for shelters and rescues.
Veterinary supplies and equipment.
Pet food and nutrition products.
Training tools and resources for animal behavior.
Technology solutions for animal welfare management.
Community outreach and education materials.
Location & Facilities
Venue
Gaylord Texan Resort & Convention Center
1501 Gaylord Trail, Grapevine, TX 76051, United States
Facilities
Parking
Gaylord Texan Resort & Convention Center in Grapevine typically provides on-site or adjacent visitor parking during major trade fairs; confirm daily rates, payment methods and hall access on the organiser or venue website before travel.
Food options
On-site catering
On-site diningParking: Gaylord Texan Resort & Convention Center in Grapevine typically provides on-site or adjacent visitor parking during major trade fairs; confirm daily rates, payment methods and hall access on the organiser or venue website before travel.
Gate: Follow organiser signage to the main visitor entrance at Gaylord Texan Resort & Convention Center for badge collection; allow extra time for security screening during peak morning arrival.
Attend
Entry & tickets
Full Conference Registration
275Learning Lab Only Registration
75Exhibit Hall Guest Pass
75
Who runs the show
Organisers
Humane World for Animals
How the last edition performed
Previous edition
This edition
—
Visitors: 2,800
Next edition
Not announced yet
Intelligence
Market context
Key market insights, trends, news and related events to help you understand the bigger picture.
Grapevine, United States
Why it matters
Attendees will benefit from networking with industry leaders, gaining insights from workshops, and exploring the latest products and services in animal care. The largest international educational conference and trade show for animal welfare professionals, expecting over 2,800 attendees.
Industry trends
Key trends shaping this market and its wider industry.
Sustainability in procurement
What sustainability in procurement means for buyers and exhibitors in this sector.
Automation and labour efficiency
What automation and labour efficiency means for buyers and exhibitors in this sector.
Regional supply-chain resilience
What regional supply-chain resilience means for buyers and exhibitors in this sector.
Hybrid engagement models
What hybrid engagement models means for buyers and exhibitors in this sector.
Plan your trip
Travel & logistics
Local currency · USD
Arrival airports
Choose from the following airports, with convenient access to the event and venue.
Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport
Primary airport for the expo. Rideshare and taxi ranks serve every terminal, and Trinity Metro's TEXRail connects the airport with Grapevine Main Street station
TBA
to venue
Short transfer, typically well under 30 minutes depending on terminal and traffic - confirm at booking
by car
Dallas Love Field
Useful alternative if DFW fares are high or schedules do not fit; budget a longer and more expensive rideshare or taxi ride to the resort
TBA
to venue
Typically 30-45 minutes to Grapevine depending on traffic - confirm at booking
by car
Hotel tiers
A range of accommodation options near the venue and across key areas.
Hilton Garden Inn Grapevine at Silverlake Crossings
midscale
Grapevine (near Gaylord Texan Resort & Convention Center)3-star hotel captured in Google Hotels results with breakfast (paid), free Wi-Fi, free parking, air conditioning, pet-friendly policy, fitness center, bar and restaurant.
Hilton DFW Lakes Executive Conference Center
upscale
Grapevine, approximately 1.7 km from Gaylord Texan Resort & Convention Center4-star hotel captured in Google Hotels results with breakfast (paid), free Wi-Fi, free parking, pools, hot tub, air conditioning, fitness center and bar. Listed as 1.7 km from the Gaylord Texan.
Embassy Suites by Hilton Grapevine DFW Airport North
upscale
Grapevine, DFW Airport North area4-star all-suite hotel captured in Google Hotels results with free breakfast, free Wi-Fi, free parking, indoor pool, air conditioning, pet-friendly policy, fitness center and bar.
Local transport
Get around the city with these convenient transport options.
rideshare / taxi
Estimated costApprox. USD taxi/rideshare from DFW to venue (estimate; confirm before travel)
Best forDallas/Fort Worth International Airport (DFW) to Gaylord Texan Resort & Convention Center
The shortest and simplest door-to-door option. Fare varies by terminal, time of day and surge pricing; rideshare pickup points are signed at each DFW terminal.
rideshare / taxi
Estimated costApprox. USD taxi/rideshare from DAL to venue (estimate; confirm before travel)
Best forDallas Love Field (DAL) to Gaylord Texan Resort & Convention Center
Love Field is on the Dallas side of the metroplex, so this ride crosses more of the DFW area than the DFW airport transfer and costs accordingly.
commuter rail (TEXRail, Trinity Metro)
Estimated costUSD 2.50-6 single metro/light-rail journey (contactless)
Best forDFW Airport station to Grapevine Main Street station, then a short rideshare to the resort
The cheapest fixed-route option and useful if you are staying near Historic Downtown Grapevine. The station is not walkable to the Gaylord Texan with luggage, so plan a short rideshare for the last leg and check that trains run when you land.
hotel shuttle
Estimated costNo extra charge at hotels that operate a shuttle - confirm with the property when booking
Best forParticipating Grapevine hotels to Gaylord Texan Resort & Convention Center
Embassy Suites by Hilton Grapevine DFW Airport North and Comfort Suites DFW N/Grapevine list airport shuttle service among captured amenities. Shuttle hours are usually limited, so match them to your arrival and to exhibit hall session times.
parking (self-park at venue)
Estimated costApprox. USD 15-30 per vehicle per day for self-parking, valet higher; confirm current rates with the resort
Best forGaylord Texan Resort & Convention Center parking areas
Large resort convention hotels in the DFW area typically charge for both overnight and day parking. If you are commuting, several Grapevine hotels on the nearby list advertise free parking, which may be cheaper than resort parking for a multi-day stay.
rideshare (short local trips)
Estimated costUSD 35–75 taxi or rideshare to the venue district
Best forGaylord Texan to Grapevine Mills and Historic Downtown Grapevine dining
Useful for evenings off property. Historic Downtown Grapevine has a walkable restaurant strip and the Grapevine Vintage Railroad area, while Grapevine Mills covers larger retail and dining chains.
Weather
Early May in Grapevine, Texas is late spring: warm and often humid, with daytime highs typically in the upper 70s to mid 80s F (roughly 25-30 C) and overnight lows in the upper 50s to mid 60s F (14-18 C). May also falls in North Texas thunderstorm season, so short heavy downpours, hail and occasional severe-weather watches are possible, with roughly 4-5 inches (about 100-130 mm) of rain across the month. The Gaylord Texan is a large enclosed resort, so education sessions and the exhibit hall run comfortably regardless of outside conditions; the practical risk is ground transport delays during a storm cell. Check a local forecast within 48 hours of travel and keep a storm contingency for airport transfers.
Plan for the climate
Check temperatures and pack accordingly
Venue connectivity
Confirm mobile roaming or a local SIM for business visitors to the United States.
Ride-hailing
Taxis
Public transit
Car rentals
Cultural notes
Useful information to help you have a smooth and respectful visit.
Dress code at an animal welfare conference
Business casual is the norm for shelter, rescue and animal control professionals, and sessions involve a lot of walking between rooms in a large resort complex. Comfortable shoes matter more than formal wear; a light layer helps in heavily air-conditioned session halls.
Tipping and payment
US norms apply in Grapevine: 15-20 percent at table-service restaurants and for taxi or rideshare drivers, plus a dollar or two per bag for hotel bell staff. Cards are accepted almost everywhere, but carry a little cash for tips.
Badge and session flow
Collect your badge before the first session; registration queues build on the opening morning of the main conference days. The Gaylord Texan is spread across a large footprint, so allow ten to fifteen minutes to move between the lobby, session rooms and the exhibit hall.
Talking shop with peers
This is a practitioner-heavy audience, so conversations turn quickly to intake numbers, length of stay, staffing and funding. Bring concrete program data from your own organization if you want to compare notes with peer shelters and rescues.
Getting around Grapevine
Grapevine is a Dallas-Fort Worth suburb built around the resort and DFW Airport. Historic Downtown Grapevine and Grapevine Mills are the two main off-property dining and shopping clusters, both a short rideshare from the Gaylord Texan.
Practical guides
Visitor & Exhibitor Essentials
Everything needed to arrive prepared, navigate the event, and make the visit productive.
Flights
Destination: DFW
The captured flight search used New York JFK to Dallas/Fort Worth (DFW) for the 6 May 2027 arrival date. Google Flights sample cards in the capture cover other city pairs and months, so treat those fares as indicative only and re-run the search for your own origin and dates before booking. DFW is the airport serving Grapevine and the Gaylord Texan Resort & Convention Center area.
Transport
Get to the venue and around the city with these options.
Airport → venue: Primary gateways: Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport (DFW): Short transfer, typically well under 30 minutes depending on terminal and traffic - confirm at booking; Dallas Love Field (DAL): Typically 30-45 minutes to Grapevine depending on traffic - confirm at booking. Allow road or rail time to Gaylord Texan Resort & Convention Center; on-site parking is usually available at major exhibition venues.
Hotel → venue: Precinct hotels near Gaylord Texan Resort & Convention Center: Grapevine (near Gaylord Texan Resort & Convention Center): Hilton Garden Inn Grapevine at Silverlake Crossings; Grapevine, approximately 1.7 km from Gaylord Texan Resort & Convention Center: Hilton DFW Lakes Executive Conference Center; Grapevine, DFW Airport North area: Embassy Suites by Hilton Grapevine DFW Airport North.
Ride-hail: Ride-hailing apps are commonly used in Grapevine; confirm local availability before travel.
Public transit: Check local bus/metro options for routes to Gaylord Texan Resort & Convention Center.
Parking: On-site parking is available at Gaylord Texan Resort & Convention Center; confirm daily rates and hall access on the organiser or venue site.
Weather
Plan and pack for the event climate.
Month: May 2027
Temperature: Daytime highs typically upper 70s to mid 80s F (about 25-30 C), overnight lows upper 50s to mid 60s F (14-18 C). Warm, humid spring conditions; a light layer is still useful for air-conditioned session rooms.
Seasonality: May is one of the wetter months in North Texas, with roughly 4-5 inches (about 100-130 mm) of rain across the month and a real chance of spring thunderstorms, some severe. Rain usually arrives in short intense cells rather than all-day drizzle; monitor forecasts and allow extra time for airport transfers during storms.
Packing: Pack breathable business-casual layers, a compact umbrella or packable rain shell, comfortable walking shoes for the resort and exhibit hall, a light sweater for cold session rooms, and a charged power bank for long days away from your room. Add sunscreen if you plan to walk between the resort, Historic Downtown Grapevine and Grapevine Mills.
Plan your trip
Planning
Best day to visit: Day 2 (mid-show)
Mid-show days at Animal Care Expo 2027 usually combine full exhibitor attendance with scheduled B2B meetings, before early pack-down on the final day.
T-1
Lock in the right registration tier
T-2
Reserve a Grapevine hotel room
T-3
Build a session plan from the official schedule
T-4
Book flights into DFW
T-5
Arrange the airport transfer
T-6
Check the North Texas forecast
T-7
Prepare your exhibit hall shortlist
T-8
Confirm travel documents and payment methods
T-9
Set measurable goals with your team
T-10
Download confirmations and pack for sessions
T-11
Travel day and badge pickup planning
Sample visitor itinerary
Route-optimised day
Day 1 · morning
Registration and hall orientation at Gaylord Texan Resort & Convention Center
Day 2 · core sessions
Supplier meetings and product demos
Day 3 · wrap-up
Final negotiations and follow-up
Networking spots
2Animal Care Expo 2027 registration concourse
Gaylord Texan Resort & Convention Center
Central meeting point before and between hall appointments during show days.
Organiser B2B lounge (if offered)
Gaylord Texan Resort & Convention Center
Hosted matchmaking and buyer programmes when published by the organiser.
Budget
Costs & budget
Build your working budget
Adjust the inputs below to create a directional event budget.
Estimated budget
Live estimate
- Hotel × 2 nights$230.00
- Per diem × 2$150.00
Estimated total$380.00
This is a directional estimate. Please verify live rates before booking.
Cost reference
Official cost items and estimated ranges for exhibitors.
visitor_ticket
visitor · Full Conference Registration
USD 275 / per person
organiser_published
visitor_ticket
visitor · Learning Lab Only Registration
USD 75 / per person
organiser_published
visitor_ticket
visitor · Exhibit Hall Guest Pass
USD 75 / per person
organiser_published
| Item | For | Tier | Estimated range | Status | As of |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| visitor_ticket | visitor | Full Conference Registration | USD 275 / per person | organiser_published | |
| visitor_ticket | visitor | Learning Lab Only Registration | USD 75 / per person | organiser_published | |
| visitor_ticket | visitor | Exhibit Hall Guest Pass | USD 75 / per person | organiser_published |
Decision
Visit, exhibit, or skip?
Should you go?
Use this quick check to decide whether Animal Care Expo 2027 fits your visit, exhibit or skip plan.
QUESTION 1 OF 6
For Animal Care Expo 2027, what is your primary role on the show floor?
Decision matrix
Compare participation options side by side to choose the best fit for your objectives.
visit
Your category focus and target suppliers align with the official exhibitor profile.
Best for
Buyers, engineers, and delegates sourcing Animal care products and services for shelters and rescues. solutions and benchmarking suppliers at Animal Care Expo 2027 in Grapevine.
Min. budget
$775.00
Timeline
4-8 weeks before opening day for registration, hotels, and travel.
Risks
Session times and ticket tiers may change - confirm the official agenda before booking.
exhibit
You have a defined lead-generation or distributor recruitment goal for this market.
Best for
Brands and manufacturers launching Animal care products and services for shelters and rescues. products who need qualified meetings with the event's trade audience.
Min. budget
$3,487.00
Timeline
3-6 months for stand booking, freight, staffing, and pre-show marketing.
Risks
Booth pricing and corner premiums vary by hall - confirm with the organiser sales team.
skip
Audience, geography, or commercial goals do not justify travel and stand costs this cycle.
Best for
Teams with weak category fit, budget constraints, or overlapping commitments during the Grapevine show week.
Timeline
N/A
Risks
Skipping may mean missing buyer meetings if competitors exhibit or attend the same week.
FAQs & glossary
Answers
Frequently asked
When and where is the 2027 HumanePro expo being held?
The expo runs May 6-9, 2027 at the Gaylord Texan Resort & Convention Center in Grapevine, Texas, part of the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex and immediately adjacent to DFW International Airport. Thursday, May 6 is the Learning Lab day, followed by the main conference and exhibit hall days.
What does full conference registration include?
Full Conference Registration is USD 275 per person and covers all conference events except the optional Thursday Learning Lab, which is booked as a separate registration. It is the standard pass for attendees who want the full multi-day program including education sessions and exhibit hall access.
Can I register for only the Thursday Learning Lab?
Yes. Learning Lab Only Registration is USD 75 per person and includes all conference activities on Thursday, May 6. It suits attendees who cannot take the full week but want the hands-on, small-group training day.
Can I visit the exhibit hall without a full conference pass?
An Exhibit Hall Guest Pass is USD 75 per person and includes access to one exhibit hall session of your choice. It is the option for buyers who mainly want to meet suppliers and compare products rather than attend the education program.
Who is the expo aimed at - is it only for veterinarians?
No. The program is built for animal welfare and shelter professionals across roles: shelter and rescue leadership, animal control and field services officers, shelter medicine veterinarians and veterinary technicians, behavior and enrichment staff, foster and volunteer coordinators, and nonprofit operations, development and communications staff.
Which airport should I fly into for the Gaylord Texan?
Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport (DFW) is the closest major airport to Grapevine and the resort. Dallas Love Field (DAL) is the alternative on the Dallas side of the metroplex, which means a longer ground transfer. Confirm terminal and transfer details before booking.
How do I get from the airport to the venue?
Rideshare or taxi from DFW is the simplest door-to-door option, with approximate one-way fares in the USD 25-45 band depending on terminal and traffic. Trinity Metro's TEXRail commuter service links DFW Airport with Grapevine Main Street station at a low per-ride fare, with a short rideshare for the final leg, and several Grapevine hotels run shuttles for guests. Confirm live fares and service hours before travel.
Where should I stay during the expo?
The Gaylord Texan Resort & Convention Center is the on-property option. Within roughly 2 km there are several alternatives: Hilton DFW Lakes Executive Conference Center (about 1.7 km), Embassy Suites by Hilton Grapevine DFW Airport North (about 1.9 km), Hyatt Place Dallas/Grapevine, Hilton Garden Inn Grapevine at Silverlake Crossings and Great Wolf Lodge Grapevine. Most of the nearby limited-service hotels advertise free parking, and some run airport shuttles.
What is the weather like in Grapevine in early May?
Late spring in North Texas means warm, humid days, typically in the upper 70s to mid 80s F (around 25-30 C), with overnight lows in the upper 50s to mid 60s F (14-18 C). May is also thunderstorm season, so short heavy downpours and occasional severe-weather watches are possible. The resort is a large indoor complex, so sessions stay comfortable in any weather.
Where can I find the full session schedule?
The official schedule page is humanepro.org/expo/schedule. Check it close to the event for the confirmed session grid, Learning Lab topics and exhibit hall hours, since the program is published and updated on the organiser site.
Do I need to plan for parking if I stay off-property?
Yes. Large resort convention hotels in the DFW area typically charge for self-parking and valet, so budget an approximate USD 15-30 per vehicle per day and confirm the current rate with the resort. Several nearby Grapevine hotels advertise free parking, which can make a short commute cheaper than on-site parking.
Glossary
- Shelter medicine
- The veterinary discipline focused on the health of animals in shelters and rescues: intake health screening, infectious disease control (upper respiratory infection, parvovirus, ringworm), spay/neuter before adoption, and population-level protocols. It is a core education track for the clinicians and veterinary technicians who attend the HumanePro expo.
- Capacity for care (C4C)
- A shelter operations model that matches the number of animals in the building to the staff, space and resources available to care for them well, rather than to cage capacity alone. It is measured by length of stay, disease rates and staff workload, and it drives how shelters plan intake and adoption flow.
- Managed intake
- A scheduling approach in which owners surrendering an animal book an appointment instead of arriving unannounced, letting the shelter plan space and reduce the number of animals kept in holding areas. It is usually paired with diversion options such as owner support, rehoming help or foster.
- Live release rate
- The share of animals leaving a shelter alive through adoption, transfer, return to owner or foster, as a percentage of total outcomes. Agencies track it as a headline outcome metric, though animal welfare organizations increasingly pair it with length-of-stay and health data.
- Return to owner (RTO)
- The process of reuniting a stray or lost pet with its owner, through ID scanning, licensing databases, lost-and-found matching and community outreach. Higher RTO rates reduce shelter intake and are a common theme in field services and intake sessions.
- Community cats and TNR
- Free-roaming cats living outdoors, managed through trap-neuter-return (TNR) or return-to-field programs in which cats are sterilized, vaccinated, ear-tipped and returned to their territory. These programs are run jointly by shelters, animal control and volunteer trappers.
- Foster-based placement
- Moving animals - especially kittens, puppies with ringworm, and dogs needing behavior support - into volunteer homes until they are ready for adoption. It expands shelter capacity without new buildings and requires onboarding, supply and medical support systems.
- Enrichment and behavior modification
- Daily practices and training protocols that reduce stress and improve adoptability: exercise plans, scent work, play groups, low-stress handling, and positive-reinforcement training for dogs with kennel stress or reactivity. Behavior staff and volunteers usually own these programs.
- Animal control and field services
- The municipal or county officers who respond to calls about stray, injured, dangerous or neglected animals, enforce local animal ordinances and often run the shelter intake point. Their data and discretion drive much of a community's shelter population.
- Humane education and community outreach
- Programs that teach pet care, bite prevention and empathy in schools and community groups, and that deliver safety-net services such as pet food banks, low-cost veterinary clinics and pet-friendly housing support. Outreach work is often the front end of intake diversion.
- Transfer and transport programs
- Moving animals from high-intake shelters to partner organizations with open adoption demand, under veterinary clearance and transport protocols. Relocation partnerships are a standard tool in the source-shelter and destination-shelter network.
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Also known as
Alternate names and search phrases for this event.
- Animal Care Expo 2027 Grapevine
- Animal Care Expo Grapevine 2027
- Grapevine United States
- Animal care products and services for shelters and rescues.
- Pet and Veterinary Grapevine 2027
- Veterinary supplies and equipment
- Pet food and nutrition products
- Training tools and resources for animal behavior
- Pet and Veterinary Conference Grapevine
Digital business cards for the show floor
Display a free company card at your booth, or share your professional card on the show floor.