Ready for a new show highlight

In an Interzoo-free year, Zoomark International is the foremost pet supplies fair in Europe. Companies come from all over the world to present their products and services at the show. This year's Zoomark International was already sold out three months in advance of its opening, an unmistakable indication of the high level of demand.
Above all, many non-Italian companies want to exhibit in Bologna, with 65 per cent of exhibitors originating abroad. There will be a strong exhibitor contingent in particular from the USA, China, the UK, Germany and France at Zoomark International. According to the organisers, a growing number of exhibitors are also expected from Finland, Poland and Turkey. The proportion of foreign firms at Zoomark 2013 was slightly lower at 58 per cent.

30 per cent of the exhibitors will have stand representation at the fair for the first time. Even some big suppliers including Ferplast, Spectrum Brands and Croci, which were not present at the show two years ago, will be returning to Bologna this year. As in 2013, Zoomark International will occupy four adjacent halls on the exhibition site, meaning that visitors will not have to walk far between the locations. Product innovations will be featured in the New Products Area, located in a strategic position to give visitors a preview of what they can expect to see in the fair. The area is structured to highlight the key trends in the pet industry.

Educational and scientific seminars for vets, breeders and groomers will round off the trade fair offering. Training opportunities continue with the interactive grooming competition "Romeo Grooming". This event was devised by Simona Chelli and Chiara Piccionetti, two well-known grooming professionals. For pet shop owners looking for new ideas, there is the seminar "Sell at first sight: how to design an eye-catching display and draw people into your shop", following the prize-giving ceremony for the winners of the "Christmas Display" award, which closed on 10 January with 26 participants from all over Italy.

Hall 18 of the exhibition grounds, which was added to the four familiar halls 16, 19, 21 and 22 two years ago, has been withdrawn again this year. In 2013 Zoomark International attracted…