Show gets off to a flying start in Moscow

The exhibition was held at the Sokolniki Exhibition Centre, which sits in a park landscape north-east of Moscow. It extended over two large and airy halls and was broken down into the main pet categories. According to the organiser, Artis Expo, the event attracted 5 500 pet professionals from all over Russia over the three days. On the last day, a Saturday, on which consumers were also able to visit the show, a further 1 000 pet owners and members of the public came along. “The pet industry in Russia is still in its infancy, but it is very promising. The industry has long needed a worthy trade event in Moscow and now, thanks to Artis-Expo, it has one,” was the message conveyed at the official welcome in the early afternoon of the first show day. The fair’s launch was impressive. Although the Chinese pet product show CIPS was taking place at the same time as the first ParkZoo, virtually all the leading pet product companies were at the fair. Most of them had very attractive, high-class stands. Over 100 companies attended from Russia, Ukraine, Belgium, Germany, the USA, Sweden, Brazil, Thailand and China. The business programme offered seminars and training sessions on a variety of themes presented by leading practitioners. How to sell pet food in pet stores? What does the law say about the pet industry? Merchandising: managing the wish to buy. A veterinary dermatology conference and events organised by exhibiting companies rounded off the programme. According to the fair organiser, over 900 visitors took part in these. Newcomers’ Zone For the first time at a Russian exhibition, there was a special Newcomers’ Zone, which showed products that had made their debut in the Russian market within the last year. Pet professionals were asked to act as judges in the contest to define the best product in each of five categories. The winners were announced and awards presented on the first day of ParkZoo:
Pet food category, winner: Meat Ration for dogs, brand “TiTBiT”, presented by the Russian company Alpintex.
Accessories category, winner: puller training aid for dogs, presented by the Ukraine company Collar.
Aquariums and associated products category, winner: aquarium décor, presented by the Russian company Dezzie.
Animal care and veterinary category, winner: Pet Head premium-class grooming products, presented by the Russian company Valta Pet Products.
Innovation of the year, winner: “Aquame” aquarium organiser produced by Aquael, presented by the Russian wholesaler…