Innovations in the Catalan capital

The international pet supplies show Iberzoo was recently staged for the second time in the Catalan capital Barcelona since it relocated from Zaragoza. Once again, crowds of visitors and trade representatives came to the exhibition grounds, covering more than 15 000 m², in the Montjuic exhibition halls between 10 and 12 October. Nearly one hundred exhibitors attended, including well-known Spanish companies such as Nayeco, Dimac and Artero Cuchilleria, and some international firms. The companies Flexi, Trixie and Dr Clauder were present from Germany, for example, GA Petfood Partners came from the UK and Dog Gone Smart Pet Products was in attendance from the USA. The show was organised by G3 International/mag.Ma in collaboration with the Spanish Association of Pet Products Distributors (AEDPAC). The exhibitors expressed satisfaction with the fair overall, but voiced their concern regarding the Spanish pet product market, where the demand for pet products has stagnated or even declined in some sectors due to the recession. In the face of this negative trend, exhibiting companies presented some new products and innovations as well as offering discounts at the show. Many side events Alongside the new products on show, the numerous side events were a major draw for visitors. The grooming demonstrations of the Spanish company Artero, attracting audiences of up to a hundred, were especially popular. Together with the International Grooming Competition and the World Team Grooming Competition, the company also organised two spectacular grooming contests. For aquarium enthusiasts, aquascape champion Oliver Knott displayed his expertise in setting up and laying out an aquarium. A new concept introduced at the Spanish fair was “Smartiberzoo”. This virtual platform is the brainchild of AEDPAC. The aim of the platform was to provide exhibitors and visitors with an innovative tool to enhance the business sector and to strengthen links between supply and demand. “Smartiberzoo” worked from the beginning of the show as a website accessible from any platform, continuously showing exhibitors’ proposals and commercial offers. Inquiries about stands, brochures, products and offers were intuitively accessed from a map of the exhibition hall and through queries regarding trade names, contact persons, or subject areas. Once the show is over, each exhibitor is able to renew their exposure monthly, along with other data, during the two years between Iberzoo editions. One of the most…