Park Zoo comes of age

The Park Zoo fair has become an important event of the Russian pet supplies business scene. "At four years old it seems that its youthful age is no barrier to maturity," states a press release by the organiser. The exhibition has blossomed in all directions and now, without any shadow of a doubt, can rightly be called one of the main and definitely unmissable events of the pet supplies business. This year, key players in the pet products market at home and abroad came from all over Russia, Germany, the Netherlands, Italy, the UK, the Baltic states, India and China. "It was obvious to even the most casual observer that there were more visitors than in previous years, with people travelling from all corners of Russia and Europe," the organiser continues. Additional programme The business programme kicked off even before the main exhibition had opened. It was launched the preceding day by the Pet Business Entrepreneurs' Forum, run by the Russian Pet Industry Union, and brought together 150 pet business entrepreneurs and veterinarians, engendering huge interest in the Russian national press. The programme also included seminars and talks for pet store workers, breeders and aquarium specialists as well as the now traditional Autumn Veterinary Conference, attended by over 200 vets.

For the third year running, Park Zoo was the venue for a salon grooming festival. This year the groomers were given their own zone where facilities could be set up for both groomers and spectators. It proved popular, attracting both those with long professional experience as well as relative newcomers. Participating companies gave presentations, provided special attractions of different sorts, and naturally had lots of surprises up their sleeves. The New Products Showcase was the place for new products that had appeared in the Russian market within the last year. Over the three exhibition days, this stand was always thronged with visitors. Of the 150 or so new products featured, the winners were selected by a jury made up, inter alia, of retailers - the very people who will be selling the new products in their outlets tomorrow. Organised by ARTIS-Expo, Park Zoo becomes even more attractive and packed with interest and new information with each year that goes by - ask any of the exhibition's Russian and foreign participants, all of whom are major players in the Russian…