CategoryAnimals & Pets
Canadian Aquatic Expo
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About this event
Canadian Aquatic Expo
The Canadian Aquatic Expo returns this September as a weekend celebration of freshwater and saltwater aquatics, bringing together aquarium hobbyists, aquascapers, and aquatic pet enthusiasts from across Canada and beyond. Held at THE INTERNATIONAL CENTRE in Mississauga, Ontario, Canada, the event blends shopping, learning, and community—making it a must-attend gathering for fishkeepers, families, collectors, and newcomers exploring the aquatic hobby.
Dates & Location
- Dates: September 19 & 20, 2026
- Venue: THE INTERNATIONAL CENTRE
- Address: 6900 Airport Road, Mississauga, ON, Canada
- Parking: On-site parking available for FREE
Event Hours
- Saturday, September 19: 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM
- Sunday, September 20: 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM
What You’ll Discover
The Canadian Aquatic Expo features a variety of experiences designed to support both hobby exploration and serious fishkeeping interests. Attendees can browse the marketplace, draw inspiration from aquascaping displays, and learn from trusted experts.
- Aquatic Marketplace: A dedicated shopping destination for fishkeepers and aquascaping enthusiasts, featuring aquarium plants, aquatic livestock, supplies, décor, equipment, and rare finds from trusted vendors.
- Aquarium technology & gear: Explore the latest in filtration, lighting, décor, and equipment—ideal for upgrading tanks and improving setups.
- Freshwater and marine displays: Enjoy inspiration from aquarium displays and aquascaping setups across freshwater and saltwater communities.
- Educational presentations: Learn from respected Canadian and international experts through presentations connected to aquatics and responsible hobby practices.
- Community energy: A welcoming environment for hobbyists, families, collectors, and curious first-timers.
Highlights & Special Features
- Betta Breeders of Canada Show: A betta competition and live fish adopt-a-thon featuring Canada’s top betta hobbyists and expert-led learning. (Betta Breeders of Canada returns for 2026.)
- Made in Canada Guppy Show: The Trans Canada Guppy Group brings the Made in Canada Guppy Competition, including internationally respected judges and a live fish adopt-a-thon.
- King of DIY vs Toronto (Aquascaping & Adoption Events): Enjoy a fish adoption-focused event featuring show-quality bettas and guppies, and a separate aquascaping showdown where participants build an eye-catching aquascape.
- Live Fish Adopt-A-Thon: A special adoption experience featuring show-quality bettas and guppies. (Listed as “Coming Soon” on the event page.)
- The Plant Expo: A botanical-themed experience with vendor booths and plant experts, featuring tropical foliage, rare succulents, and plant varieties.
- Canadian Reptile Breeders Expo (CRBE): Canada’s largest reptile expo running under one roof, featuring captive-bred reptiles, habitats, and specialty supplies.
Bringing Your Pet to the Expo
If you plan to bring a pet, the event provides pet waiver rules and guidance. Attendees are asked to review pet requirements in advance and follow City of Mississauga Animal Control By-laws.
- Review the pet waiver and ensure compliance with applicable by-laws.
- Print and bring your completed waiver (copies are also available on-site).
- Dogs & cats: flat leash only, max 6 ft (no retractable/Flexi leashes).
- Small pets & lizards (under 2m): must be in a secure carrier or properly harnessed & leashed.
- All reptiles: must be in an appropriate travel container.
- Snakes: must remain contained.
With its aquarium marketplace, educational programming, competitions, plant-focused exhibits, and related expo access, the Canadian Aquatic Expo is designed to be an immersive, family-friendly event for anyone passionate about aquatic pets and aquascaping.
Data sheet
Canadian Aquatic Expo – Event Attendee & Buyer Profile Analysis
Event Date: September 19–20, 2026 |
Location: Mississauga, Ontario, Canada |
Event Status: Upcoming |
Research Date: July 6, 2026
Event Overview
| Event Name | Canadian Aquatic Expo |
| Event Date | September 19–20, 2026 |
| Event Status | Upcoming |
| Venue | The International Centre |
| City | Mississauga |
| State / Region | Ontario |
| Country | Canada |
| Organizer | Canadian Aquatic Expo |
| Official Event Website | canadianaquaticexpo.ca |
| Event Type | Consumer hobby expo, educational marketplace, aquatic pet community event |
| Primary Category | Animals & Pets |
| Secondary Applicable Categories | Retail, Wholesale, Logistics & Transportation, Business Services |
| Audience Reach | National with cross-border hobby interest |
| Estimated Attendance / Expected Footfall | Attendance figure not publicly confirmed by the organizer. |
| Attendance Data Reliability | Low to Medium; current-year attendance count not disclosed on the official site |
| Main Purpose of Event | To connect aquarium hobbyists, aquascapers, breeders, vendors, and aquatic pet enthusiasts through shopping, education, live showcases, and community networking. |
About the Event
The Canadian Aquatic Expo is a specialized consumer-facing event focused on freshwater and saltwater aquatics, aquarium keeping, aquascaping, breeding, and aquatic pet care. According to the official event site, it combines a marketplace, educational presentations, fish competitions, adoption activities, and live community experiences at The International Centre in Mississauga.
This event matters because it brings together a concentrated audience of hobbyists, breeders, store owners, aquatic product buyers, and suppliers in one venue. For B2B outreach, it is especially relevant for companies selling aquarium livestock, plants, filtration, lighting, décor, food, care products, retail systems, and pet-industry services seeking buyer engagement, retail distribution, and community visibility.
1. Who Attends: Buyers / Attendees
| Buyer / Attendee Segment | Typical Organizations | Buying Role or Influence | Relevance to Exhibitors / Suppliers |
|---|---|---|---|
| Retail buyers / category managers | Pet stores, aquarium specialty retailers, garden centers with pet sections | Assortment, pricing, and supplier selection | High-value prospects for livestock, supplies, equipment, and branded product lines |
| Aquarium hobbyists / advanced keepers | Individual consumers, hobby clubs, aquascaping communities | Direct purchase influence; word-of-mouth advocacy | Strong for specialty product sales, accessories, and premium equipment |
| Breeders and livestock suppliers | Fish breeders, live animal vendors, breeder associations | Source and sell aquatic livestock; evaluate genetics and transport solutions | Relevant for breeding systems, shipping materials, water treatment, and health products |
| Wholesalers / distributors | Pet product distributors, aquatic supply wholesalers | Channel buying and territory expansion | Important for suppliers seeking regional distribution and resale agreements |
| Importers | Aquatic livestock importers, specialty product importers | Product sourcing, customs, and vendor selection | Strong fit for international breeders, manufacturers, and exporters |
| Pet industry operators | Multi-location pet chains, independent pet businesses | Commercial buying and merchandising | Relevant for shelf-ready products, private label, and recurring replenishment items |
| Product managers / brand managers | Manufacturers of aquarium equipment, food, and décor | New product evaluation and category strategy | Useful for launches, feedback, and competitive positioning |
| Operations and facilities leaders | Aquarium stores, pet retail, public aquatics facilities | Operational procurement and maintenance decisions | Relevant for pumps, filtration, tank systems, maintenance services, and installation |
| Media / hobby content creators | Aquatic media, YouTube creators, hobby publications | Influence and community reach | Supports brand exposure, reviews, and educational campaigns |
2. Event Location and Attendee Geographic Origin
| Geographic Area | Likely Attendee Origin | Buyer Concentration | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Host city | Mississauga and Greater Toronto Area | High | Large population base and strong pet retail presence support local turnout |
| Host region | Ontario | High | Likely draw from Toronto, Hamilton, Ottawa corridor, and surrounding communities |
| Nearby business hubs | Toronto, Brampton, Oakville, Burlington, Hamilton | Medium to High | Convenient for retailers, distributors, and hobbyist communities across Southern Ontario |
| National reach | Canadian breeders, retailers, clubs, and enthusiasts | Medium | Official site states Canada’s largest community of aquarium hobbyists; national relevance is strong |
| International reach | U.S. and international hobby participants, experts, and suppliers | Low to Medium | The organizer indicates attendance from “across Canada and beyond,” but no formal international attendance count is public |
3. Audience Reach
| Reach Level | Assessment | Explanation |
|---|---|---|
| National | Primary classification | The event is positioned as a major Canadian aquatic hobby gathering with pull from multiple provinces. |
| Regional | Secondary reach description | Strongest concentration is expected from Ontario and the Greater Toronto Area due to venue accessibility. |
4. Sample Buyer Companies and Websites
| Buyer Company / Organization | Buyer Type | Why It Is Relevant | Website | Best Job Titles to Target | Evidence Level |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Big Al's Aquarium Services Ltd. | Aquarium retail chain | High-fit buyer for livestock, plants, equipment, and merchandising support | bigals.ca | Category Manager, Purchasing Manager, Store Manager, Merchandising Director | Strong Market Fit, Attendance Not Confirmed |
| Global Pet Foods | Pet retail chain | Potential buyer of aquarium food, accessories, filtration, and live display products | globalpetfoods.com | Merchandising Manager, Category Manager, Purchasing Director, VP Retail | Strong Market Fit, Attendance Not Confirmed |
| Pet Valu | Pet specialty retailer | Relevant for aquarium consumables, décor, and hobbyist accessories | petvalu.ca | Category Manager, Procurement Manager, Buyer, Director of Merchandising | Strong Market Fit, Attendance Not Confirmed |
| Ren's Pets | Pet retailer | Potential distribution and merchandising target for aquatic categories | renspets.com | Buyer, Category Manager, Store Operations, Merchandising Director | Strong Market Fit, Attendance Not Confirmed |
| Hagen Group | Pet product manufacturer | Canada-based pet products company with strong aquatic relevance | hagen.com | Product Manager, Business Development Director, Sales Director, Category Manager | Strong Market Fit, Attendance Not Confirmed |
| Fluval | Aquatic equipment brand | Directly aligned with filtration, lighting, and aquarium hardware buying behavior | fluvalaquatics.com | Product Marketing Manager, Sales Manager, Channel Manager, Brand Director | Strong Market Fit, Attendance Not Confirmed |
| Tetra | Aquatic consumables brand | Relevant for fish food, water care, and retail distribution opportunities | tetra-fish.com | National Sales Manager, Channel Marketing Manager, Category Manager, Buyer | Strong Market Fit, Attendance Not Confirmed |
| API Fish Care | Aquarium care brand | Strong consumer and retail overlap with aquatic health, conditioning, and treatment products | apifishcare.com | Brand Manager, Sales Director, Retail Partnerships Manager, Product Manager | Strong Market Fit, Attendance Not Confirmed |
| Marineland | Aquarium equipment brand | Relevant to filtration, tanks, lighting, and display solutions | marineland.com | Category Manager, Sales Director, Product Manager, Key Account Manager | Strong Market Fit, Attendance Not Confirmed |
| Petcetera | Pet retail / services brand | Potential channel buyer for aquatic accessories and consumables | petcetera.ca | Buying Manager, Retail Director, Operations Manager, Store Manager | Strong Market Fit, Attendance Not Confirmed |
| MasterPet | Pet products distributor | Channel partner for aquarium accessories, food, and maintenance products | masterpet.com | Purchasing Manager, Distribution Director, Category Manager, Sales Director | Strong Market Fit, Attendance Not Confirmed |
| Petland Canada | Pet specialty retailer | Potential retail buyer for aquatics, live goods, and hobby products | petland.ca | Buyer, Category Manager, Merchandising Director, Operations Manager | Strong Market Fit, Attendance Not Confirmed |
5. Job Profiles, Industries and Event Type
| Priority | Job Title / Function | Department | Seniority Level | Why This Role Matters |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Category Manager | Merchandising / Procurement | Mid to Senior | Directly manages aquatic assortment, vendor selection, and shelf strategy |
| 2 | Purchasing Manager / Buyer | Procurement | Mid to Senior | Evaluates products, pricing, margins, and supplier fit |
| 3 | Retail Director / Merchandising Director | Retail Operations | Senior | Sets product strategy and channel priorities for aquatic categories |
| 4 | Store Manager / Operations Manager | Operations | Manager | Influences local inventory mix, live-stock handling, and merchandising execution |
| 5 | Product Manager | Product / Brand | Mid to Senior | Tests market response and guides launches in aquarium equipment and consumables |
| 6 | Business Development Director | Sales / Partnerships | Senior | Identifies distribution, retail, and partnership opportunities |
| 7 | Channel Sales Manager | Sales | Mid to Senior | Targets distributors, retailers, and specialty pet channels |
| 8 | Operations Director | Operations | Senior | Relevant where live inventory, store operations, and supply continuity matter |
| Priority | Apollo Industry | Why It Fits the Event | Best Buyer Use Case |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Retail | Core buyer segment for aquarium and pet-category products | Retail chains, specialty stores, and category buyers |
| 2 | Wholesale | Distribution and resale opportunities across aquatic supply channels | Importers, distributors, and wholesalers |
| 3 | Consumer Goods | Aquarium products and pet accessories are consumer-driven categories | Manufacturers and brand owners |
| 4 | Food & Beverages | Applicable to fish food and aquatic nutrition brands | Consumables, nutrition, and feeding products |
| 5 | Business Supplies & Equipment | Aquarium systems, filtration, lighting, and maintenance gear | Equipment vendors and B2B suppliers |
| 6 | Import & Export | Live goods, specialty livestock, and international product sourcing are highly relevant | Importers, exporters, and global sourcing teams |
| 7 | Logistics & Supply Chain | Essential for live animal handling, fulfillment, and cold-chain-like transport requirements | Shipping, packaging, and distribution services |
| 8 | Management Consulting | Useful for growth strategy, merchandising, and channel planning engagement | Advisory and business services |
| 9 | Marketing & Advertising | Event and product promotion within the hobby community | Brand activation and community marketing |
| 10 | Environmental Services | Water quality, filtration, and maintenance considerations overlap with aquatic care | Water treatment and sustainability solutions |
6. Estimated Attendance
| Metric | Figure | Status | Source / Basis | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Estimated total footfall | Not publicly confirmed | Confirmed unavailable | Official website does not publish an attendance number | Use qualitative targeting assumptions only |
| Exhibitor count | Not publicly confirmed | Confirmed unavailable | Official exhibitor list is partial / “More Info Soon” on some entries | Only partial exhibitor references are visible on the site |
| Buyer count | Not publicly confirmed | Confirmed unavailable | No organizer-published buyer list | Buyer profiling must be inferred from event type and audience |
| Speaker count | Not publicly confirmed | Confirmed unavailable | Official site references educational presentations but does not list totals | Speaker participation appears to be part of the format |
| Historical attendance | Not publicly confirmed | Unavailable | No verified prior-year attendance figure found in official content provided | Attendance figure not publicly confirmed by the organizer. |
7. Key Focus Areas and Buyer Engagement
| Focus Area | Typical Buyer Need | Buyer Engagement Opportunity | Relevant Supplier Offering |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aquatic livestock | Healthy fish, breeding stock, and specialty species | Direct sourcing and breeder networking | Breeding programs, transport systems, health support |
| Aquascaping | Plants, hardscape, substrate, design inspiration | Demonstrations and visual merchandising | Aquatic plants, décor, tools, layout kits |
| Equipment and technology | Filtration, lighting, heaters, automation | Product demos and comparison selling | Pumps, lights, controllers, smart aquarium tech |
| Retail merchandising | Display-ready, profitable, easy-to-stock product lines | Meet category managers and store buyers | Shelf-ready packaging, planograms, private label support |
| Education and community | Trusted advice, hobby improvement, responsible pet ownership | Expert sessions and influencer engagement | Training content, sponsored demos, educational assets |
| Adoption and animal welfare | Responsible placement and care support | Community goodwill and ethical branding | Adoption programs, care guides, support services |
Lead Quality Assessment
| Factor | Assessment | Explanation |
|---|---|---|
| Buyer relevance | High | The event attracts hobbyists, breeders, retailers, and aquatic product decision-makers. |
| Decision-maker availability | Medium | Likely strong at exhibitor and retailer level, but public buyer lists are limited. |
| Data collection potential | Medium | Good for lead generation if floor plan, exhibitor roster, and brand sponsors are expanded closer to event date. |
| Apollo targeting potential | High | Clear targeting by retail, wholesale, import/export, consumer goods, and pet categories. |
| Geographic targeting potential | High | Strong focus on Ontario and the Greater Toronto Area, with national Canadian reach. |
| Best outreach approach | Multi-touch email + LinkedIn + phone | Target retail buyers, distributors, and brand owners with category-specific value propositions. |
| Overall lead quality | High | Strong niche event with clear commercial relevance for aquatic suppliers and pet-industry vendors. |
| Best use case | Prospecting, exhibitor sales, channel development, and attendee list building | Useful for B2B lead sourcing into pet retail, aquatic manufacturing, and distribution. |
| Limitations / risks | Moderate | No public attendance figure and limited current-year buyer confirmation reduce precision. |
Apollo.io Targeting Recommendation
| Filter Type | Recommended Filters | Purpose |
|---|---|---|
| Apollo industries | Retail; Wholesale; Consumer Goods; Business Supplies & Equipment; Food & Beverages; Import & Export; Logistics & Supply Chain; Environmental Services; Marketing & Advertising; Management Consulting | Capture buyers and channel partners relevant to aquatic products |
| Departments | Purchasing; Procurement; Merchandising; Sales; Operations; Product; Business Development; Marketing | Reach decision-makers and influencers |
| Seniority | Manager; Director; VP; Owner; Founder; C-Level | Prioritize budget holders and category leaders |
| Job titles | Buyer, Category Manager, Purchasing Manager, Procurement Manager, Merchandising Director, Sales Director, Channel Manager, Product Manager, Store Manager, Operations Manager, Business Development Director | Target the people most likely to purchase or influence product selection |
| Geography | Canada; Ontario; Greater Toronto Area; selected U.S. border-adjacent markets | Align outreach with strongest attendance footprint |
| Employee size | 1–10; 11–50; 51–200; 201–500; 501–1,000; 1,001–5,000 | Cover independent retailers through larger chains and manufacturers |
| Keywords | aquarium, aquatics, fish, pet retail, aquascaping, filtration, live animals, breeding, aquatic supplies, pet specialty | Improve contact relevance for hobby and retail ecosystem |
| Company type | Private; Public; Franchise; Distributor; Importer; Manufacturer; Retail chain | Match buyer type to channel strategy |
Suggested Apollo Search Logic: (aquarium OR aquatics OR pet retail OR aquascaping OR fish) AND (buyer OR category manager OR purchasing OR procurement OR merchandising OR product manager OR sales director OR channel manager). Prioritize Canadian and Ontario-based records first, then expand to North American distributors and manufacturers with aquatic or pet-category exposure.
Client Fit Review Required
Please share the client website or product/service details. I will review the client offering and identify the highest-fit buyer companies, Apollo industries, seniority levels, departments, and job titles from this event.
Sources & Verification Notes
| Source | Type | What It Verified | Reliability |
|---|---|---|---|
| Canadian Aquatic Expo official website | Official organizer website | Event name, dates, venue, location, event positioning, event features, and partial exhibitor references | Very High |
| Official event page content provided by user | Primary source excerpt | Confirmed schedule, address, parking, show features, and event description language | Very High |
| The International Centre | Venue reference | Venue name and address consistency with event site | High |
| Canadian Aquatic Expo exhibitor list on official site | Official exhibitor / feature listing | Visible participating organizations referenced by the organizer | High |
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