New supporting programme at Interzoo 2026

For the first time, a full-day Interzoo Sustainability Conference will take place on 11 May 2026. At this conference for the pet industry on the eve of the world's leading trade fair, the newly created Interzoo Sustainability Award will be presented. Another premiere in the supporting programme of Interzoo (12–15 May) is Interzoo Groomers' Day on 14 May. 

The premiere of the Interzoo Sustainability Conference is being organised in cooperation with Antwerp Management School (AMS), the long-standing sustainability partner of the world's leading trade fair for the pet industry. The one-day programme offers CSR and sustainability managers as well as experts from the pet industry a unique international platform to learn about trends and developments in the field of sustainability, discuss new approaches and network. Renowned researchers, industry pioneers and representatives of the United Nations will explain key and forward-looking sustainability developments based on current studies and best practice cases.

The conference will open with a keynote speech by Elliott Harris, global economics expert, former United Nations Chief Economist and Assistant Secretary-General for Economic Development. Harris has played a key role in shaping the UN's sustainability agenda and will give an impressive presentation on the cooperation between politics and business for a sustainable future.

The subsequent programme elements will provide a 360-degree overview of sustainability in the pet industry, according to Interzoo organiser WZF (Wirtschaftsgemeinschaft Zoologischer Fachbetriebe): from environmental responsibility and ethical procurement to production and distribution to social responsibility and circular economy models. The conference is supported by the Pet Sustainability Coalition (PSC) and numerous other partners.

An important part of the conference is a workshop on the latest results of the Interzoo 2026 sustainability study, which AMS has been conducting for the pet industry since 2018. The findings of the fifth edition of the study will be presented in an interactive format to encourage thematic networking among conference participants.

The pitch presentations by the finalists for the first Interzoo Sustainability Conferenceare a special highlight of the conference. On the afternoon of the conference, the nominated candidates will present their strategic initiative or business case for sustainable development in the pet industry to the audience, who will then vote for the winner together with the jury. The award will be presented during the Interzoo opening ceremony on the evening of 11 May 2026.

Dr Rowena Arzt, Head of Trade Fairs at Interzoo organiser WZF, is delighted about this important milestone for Interzoo. ‘Based on the strong interest at Interzoo 2024, we have now dedicated a whole day to sustainability. At the world's leading trade fair itself, we will be putting sustainable products and innovations in the spotlight with the new Sustainability Product Showcase and on the Fresh Ideas Stage.’

Another new addition to the supporting programme at Interzoo 2026 is Interzoo Groomers‘ Day. This international meeting place for professional groomers and pet care professionals offers a specialist programme covering techniques, trends and products for coat care, as well as a specially designed platform for networking. A special room concept has been developed for this purpose: product presentations, catering, networking and demonstrations are all brought together in one place for two- and four-legged visitors.

‘We are already looking forward to practical live demonstrations, lectures and interviews by and with renowned industry experts such as Kitty Dekeersgieter and Sandra Mularska,’ says Karin Witthohn, board member of the ZZF – Central Association of the Pet Industry, the conceptual sponsor of Interzoo. For the first time, professional groomers, brands and distributors from all over the world will have a shared space to network, learn from each other and exchange ideas.