Education and Insights for Pet Business Owners and Managers
The Dog Handler Academy Business Leadership Summit is a 2.5-day intensive with a host of experts scheduled to share their wealth of knowledge in the dog daycare and boarding industry.
Attend the Summit
This event is designed to provide pet care professionals with expert-led sessions, actionable business strategies, and valuable networking opportunities to help you grow and thrive.
This event is designed to provide pet care professionals with expert-led sessions, actionable business strategies, and valuable networking opportunities to help you grow and thrive.
Join the Sponsor Showcase
We’re offering a limited number of Sponsor Showcase Suites—a unique opportunity for sponsors to connect with Summit attendees in a more intimate setting. This is an exclusive opportunity to engage with attendees in a comfortable and professional setting. Our schedule has dedicated time for attendees to visit the Sponsor Showcase Suites for 2–5 hours each day of the Summit.
"I thought it was really well done, very well balanced between formal education, vendor interaction as well as networking. Nice size group to connect with and make new friends that you would see throughout the event (vs extra large events where clumps of people stick together.)"
"I really enjoyed the smaller size of this conference... The networking opportunities and connections felt more meaningful in an intimate setting like this... Overall, it was an excellent conference. We’ll definitely be back next year."
"I highly recommend that daycare owners attend the DHA 2025 Business Leadership Summit! I had the privilege of attending in 2024, and it was an incredible experience. Eve is truly exceptional—her expertise and sharp insights are unmatched. I have a great deal of respect for her. The guest speakers she selected were spot-on, and the topics covered provided valuable guidance for the industry. I was also thoroughly impressed by her team; they were top-notch. See you there in 2025!"
"I attended the 2024 Business Leadership Summit with open eyes. There was lots of great information for me to note. It was my first conference and I really enjoyed it. The info sessions were full of info, some for me and some not but overall a great experience. I hope to attend again in 2025."
"I attended the 2024 DHA Summit in its very first year. I wasn't sure what to expect and was concerned it might be a repeat of other industry conferences. I was wrong! The Summit was excellent, full of information and completely relevant to issues my small business is facing. I plan to add it to my list of "must attend" conferences for the year. The take home information and ability to rewatch the presentations was extremely helpful in keeping the momentum going once I returned home. This conference was worth the expense of bringing my manager and I plan to bring 2 team members this next year. I'm looking forward to what we will accomplish this next year."
"The Dog Handler Summit was such a great experience! I am in the process of launching my dog resort and this conference provided me with a wealth of knowledge on financials, daily operations, and tips/tricks for launching my business. Not only did I learn a lot, but I also met a bunch of great people (some of which turned into mentors and friendships). Whether you're new to this industry or trying to grow your existing business, I highly recommend this summit! I feel much more confident in taking the next steps in my business knowing that the Dog Handler team is always able and willing to help!"
"Choosing to attend the 2024 DHA Business Leadership Summit in Chicago last October was the right decision. The event was well organized and provided a wealth of valuable insights. I was impressed with every aspect of the conference, from the venue to the speakers to the topics. So much was included in the registration cost. DHA provided lunch each day, which allowed us to keep the networking going even during breaks. The Embassy Suites was a great choice for a venue, adding complimentary breakfast and happy hour drinks each night to the value of the event and to the overall experience. The conference agenda was packed with great sessions, covering topics from keeping your team engaged to scaling versus growth. We learned the importance of having an exit strategy and which KPIs are crucial, including tips on how to measure them. Overall, the DHA Business Leadership Summit exceeded my expectations. I would certainly recommend this summit to anyone looking to elevate their leadership skills and take their business to the next level."