Zoomark’s 20th edition from May 15 to 17 drew nearly 28,000 visitors, solidifying its status as Italy’s premier pet supplies event, often likened to the international Interzoo exhibition.
The anticipation for record-breaking numbers in Bologna was driven not only by the 1,060 exhibitors from 57 countries, occupying a vast 68,000 square meters across seven halls, but also by the strong international presence, with 795 companies, constituting 75% of the total. Delegations from countries including the United States, China, Canada, Brazil, the UK, Greece, the Czech Republic, India, and Thailand underscored the event’s global significance.
The initial two days of the fair saw a surge in visitors, surpassing even optimistic projections. Antonio Bruzzone, the general director of Bologna Fiere, the event’s organizing body, stated, “Zoomark 2023 has attracted an unbelievable 27 950 visitors from across the globe. The proportion of foreign visitors has doubled compared with the last edition prior to the pandemic and accounts for 62 per cent.”
However, adverse weather, marked by persistent rain and severe flooding, impacted domestic visitor numbers. Notably, visitor statistics have remained undisclosed in recent years.
Expressing confidence, Antonio Bruzzone affirmed, “the fact that all the big, well-known brands chose Zoomark as their official platform in 2023 also attests to the leading role played by the trade show in the global pet supplies business.” The next Zoomark is scheduled for May 5 to 7, 2025, in Bologna.
International companies seized the opportunity at Zoomark to establish new business contacts.
Hall 16’s Pet Vision area displayed over 500 new products. The NEXT zone, adjacent to it, provided a platform for more than 50 pet sector startups. Some are still refining their presentation skills but garnered significant interest.
Zoomark also featured an extensive program of over 80 events, including meetings of various retail groups, seminars on the European market and merchandising, and scientific presentations on pet nutrition and health. The Aqua Project zone, dedicated to aquatics, became a popular hub for renowned European aquascapers who set up aquariums and delivered captivating presentations.
An unexpected announcement came when organizers revealed the launch of a Chinese edition of Zoomark, scheduled for November 23 and 24 at the PWTC Expo in Guangzhou. Antonio Bruzzone shared his thoughts on this initiative, saying, “The success of our Italian Zoomark has prompted us to look to the market beyond Europe, to develop new projects and to convert the event to a format available for the pet sector worldwide,” Zoomark will collaborate with the Chinese trade show and conference organizer Informa Markets, based in Beijing, a major international player through acquisitions and mergers.
Bologna Fiere has a branch in Shanghai and has cultivated a close partnership with Informa Markets. Zoomark China is expected to cover 15,000 square meters of exhibition space, host around 300 exhibitors, and attract an estimated 15,000 visitors from China and abroad.
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