Today we’d like to introduce you to Laura Pequignot.
Hi Laura, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
My career has been rooted in building large-scale, high-impact events and experiences—from Grand Prix and NASCAR racing to internationally recognized art fairs.
A few years ago, I decided to step away from that fast-paced world to focus on personal priorities and give back to my community. That chapter led me to volunteer with PAWS4you, a local rescue where I gained a firsthand understanding of the challenges—and incredible dedication—within the South Florida dog rescue community.
At the same time, my current business partner – who comes from a startup background – decided to step away from his corporate role to pursue a new venture. While the exact concept wasn’t fully defined, he had a strong conviction that Miami was missing a large-scale festival dedicated to dog lovers.
Through my volunteer work at PAWS4you Rescue, and the exposure it gave me to the broader Dade/Broward canine ecosystem – rescues and shelters, fosters, breed clubs, and more – I realized there was an opportunity to create something much bigger than an event: a platform that could unite this community, raise critical funding, and drive real impact.
That’s how The Big Woof Festival was born.
We began planning and promoting The Big Woof Festival in September 2025 with a bold vision and genuine passion to create a one-of-a-kind, mission-driven experience for dog lovers and their pups. The inaugural festival took place in January 2026, bringing that vision to life for the first time.
From the outset, the festival was built around a clear set of guiding principles: raise funds to support local rescue organizations; bring awareness to and promote members of the South Florida canine ecosystem; facilitate on-site adoptions; and provide education on pet wellness and responsible ownership.
The Big Woof Festival brings these principles to life through a high-energy, pet-focused festival featuring dynamic entertainment and curated programming designed to foster maximum community engagement.
What sets The Big Woof apart is that it’s not just a “dog event”—it’s a fully produced, large-scale festival experience. From crowd-favorite Corgi and Dachshund races to high-flying, world champion Frisbee dogs, interactive programming, and a vibrant Dog Lovers Marketplace, every element is intentionally designed to drive engagement, education, and connection.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
Building The Big Woof Festival from concept to becoming Miami’s largest dog festival in just four months came with its share of challenges.
We built everything from the ground up: sponsorship packages, vendor relationships, programming, operations, and brand identity. While my background in large-scale event production provided a strong foundation, entering the pet industry and producing a dog-focused festival was an entirely new arena.
One of the biggest challenges was securing sponsorship support as a first-year event. Many top-tier brands are understandably cautious about investing in something unproven, especially on a compressed timeline. That made early traction difficult.
However, what carried us forward was the strength of the mission. We were fortunate to earn the trust and support of several leading pet brands that believed in the mission from the outset. We also saw an extremely positive response from local businesses, with strong participation in our Dog Lovers Marketplace.
From a production standpoint, we set a very high bar. A significant amount of time and energy went into ensuring the entertainment and overall experience were truly first class and aligned with our audience. The result was an experience that exceeded expectations—for attendees, sponsors, vendors, and rescue partners alike.
The overwhelming enthusiasm from those who participated confirmed to us that The Big Woof Festival would become a beloved community tradition.
The Big Woof Festival is more than an event—it’s a celebration of the bond between people and their dogs and a platform for real change. As we continue to grow, our goal is to expand our impact, increase support for rescue organizations, and establish The Big Woof as a must-attend annual tradition in South Florida and beyond.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I specialize in building and scaling large-scale events. My background encompasses corporate partnerships, revenue strategy, and full-scale event production, including marketing and promotions, all aimed at creating high-performing experiences.
What sets me apart—and what I love most about my role in The Big Woof Festival—is the ability to combine strategic business thinking with mission-driven impact. I’m not just creating a dog festival—I’m building a platform that generates revenue, fosters connection, and serves a larger purpose.
With The Big Woof Festival, that means producing a high-quality, engaging event while also creating measurable support for rescue organizations and elevating the entire South Florida canine community.
What I’m most proud of is taking an idea rooted in passion and turning it into something that drives real impact—both economically and socially—in such a short period of time
Is there anyone you’d like to thank or give credit to?
I’ve been fortunate to have incredible mentors, colleagues, and partners throughout my career who have shaped how I lead and think.
One of the most influential was Ralph Sanchez, founder of the Grand Prix of Miami. He had a unique ability to think big, take calculated risks, remain relentless, and bring ambitious visions to life—lessons that have stayed with me throughout my career and directly influenced my approach to building The Big Woof Festival.
I’ve also been supported by an exceptional network of colleagues, partners, and volunteers whose passion and commitment are truly the heart of this event. From our rescue partners to local businesses and our growing team, this has been a collective effort in every sense.
The greatest credit goes to my partner, Carlos Blanco. He was the first to recognize not just the opportunity, but the need for an event like this. Beyond his endless enthusiasm for the project, he was a constant source of support as we brought this vision to life together, and he played a critical role across many aspects of building The Big Woof Festival from the ground up.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.thebigwooffest.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thebigwooffest/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheBigWoofFest
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/108562059/
