German-Italian cooperation making good progress

In even-numbered years, the world-leading Interzoo fair in Nuremberg is Europe’s premier show platform, while in odd years this honour belongs to Zoomark International in Bologna. This alternating staging of events has been a constant feature of the trade show landscape in the international pet sector for years, and almost all market players are extremely satisfied with the situation. Exhibitors and visitors make a significant effort to support these two international fairs with their presence. 

The chemistry between the WZF and Bologna Fiere has always been good and has played a major part in ensuring that the German-Italian show pairing has not lost its momentum, even in tough times. The two fair organisers have maintained a respectful relationship down the years, something which proved more crucial than ever during the pandemic. Due to the coronavirus, the WZF was unable to stage Interzoo 2020 as planned. It had to rely on a temporary change in the previously observed cycle of the two trade shows, and Bologna Fiere proved a cooperative and obliging negotiating partner in being prepared to move the 2021 Zoomark International from May to November. The plan is that everything should revert to normal from 2022, with Interzoo in even-numbered and Zoomark International in odd-numbered years.  

This switch was not without risks and imponderables on account of the unpredictability of the pandemic. Fortune perhaps favoured the brave and ultimately it all worked out well; both Zoomark International and Interzoo were a great success, at any rate, and triggered a valuable uplift in the mood in the sector. At both shows the players in the pet supplies market appeared delighted to finally be able to meet their national and international business partners once again after such a long absence. “Like one big family,” was how sector expert Paul van der Raad succinctly described the event in an interview with “Interzoo Daily”.

The German and Italian fair organisers recognised that both partners could benefit from working more closely together in the future and took the initiative. At a press conference on the second day of Interzoo, plans for Zoomark International 2023 were not the only item on the agenda; the WZF and Bologna Fiera affirmed their…