“Make me smile”

With the theme “Make me smile”, the event on 28 and 29 September in Gorinchem offers more than 14 500 m² of new opportunities and inspiration. “The retail sector can be quite challenging,” acknowledges Dibevo chairman Gijs van den Assum. “Margins are tight, and entrepreneurs are constantly juggling multiple tasks. That’s exactly why we’ve chosen to create a trade fair that energizes you; not just because of the new products, but especially thanks to the relaxed atmosphere and real human connections.”

With its exhibition space, the Dibevo Vakbeurs (Dutch for trade fair) is over 30 per cent larger than the previous edition – yet it remains manageable and personal. Growth is not just measured in square metres, but also in diversity. Alongside well-known major brands, there’s ample room for smaller companies and startups to showcase their innovations.

“We firmly believe in innovation and diversity,” says van den Assum. “Large companies offer stability and quality, but it’s often the smaller players who surprise us with boldness, creativity and new ideas.”

That spirit of renewal is also reflected in the “Blikvangers Pavilion” (Eye-catchers Pavilion), which made its debut last year and now has a prominent position at the fair. Each exhibitor presents one standout or promising product. Visitors vote for their favourite, and a panel of experts selects the winner of the Best of Show award.

The theme “Make me smile” is reflected in every aspect of the visitor experience. A key part of this is the full-service concept: catering is included in the ticket price. “It may seem like a small detail, but it makes a big difference,” van den Assum explains. “It creates room for calm, meaningful conversations – which improves the quality of connections and, ultimately, leads to more deals.”

Visitors include professionals from pet stores, garden centres, DIY stores with pet departments and specialist online retailers. “It’s a great mix of experienced business owners and younger professionals who are consciously building their future in this sector,” explains van den Assum. “More and more young entrepreneurs are looking for products that set them apart, while still learning from the experience of established names.”

For international companies looking to enter the Dutch market, the trade fair offers the perfect starting point: a compact and well-organised platform with serious buyers.

With nearly 90 per cent of the exhibition space already booked, only a few spots remain for companies looking to exhibit. “For companies that want to step in now, this is a unique opportunity to become visible to a relevant audience of committed buyers,” emphasizes van den Assum. “Interested parties can register for one of the last remaining spots at dibevovakbeurs.nl.”