As a consequence of the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic, and in the interests of trade fair participants within the pet industry, WZF (Wirtschaftsgemeinschaft Zoologischer Fachbetriebe GmbH), organizer of Interzoo, and BolognaFiere S.p.A., organizer of ZOOMARK INTERNATIONAL, have decided to modify their event calendar for 2021 and 2022. From 1 to 4 June 2021, Interzoo digital will take place as a purely online event, while ZOOMARK INTERNATIONAL will be welcoming the pet industry back to Bologna, Italy, in November 2021. In May 2022 Interzoo will return as an in-person event in Nuremberg, Germany.
Trade shows are key marketing and communications tools for the global pet industry. Many companies were hoping to showcase their products and services at the forthcoming international pet industry trade shows with the aim of boosting their business as the ability to talk to customers face-to-face is especially important in times of crisis. However, due to the persistent travel restrictions and conditions that remain unsafe for hosting international trade fairs, WZF, the organizer of Interzoo, and BolognaFiere, the organizer of ZOOMARK INTERNATIONAL, have jointly decided to reschedule the fairs in order to optimize business opportunities.
As a result, ZOOMARK INTERNATIONAL will take place in Bologna, Italy, from 10 to 12 November 2021, while the industry will meet in Nuremberg, Germany, at Interzoo from 24 to 27 May 2022. Meanwhile, to enable exhibitors to maintain contact with their customers worldwide and develop new business, WZF has developed a digital format for Interzoo, which will take place from 1 to 4 June 2021. The new trade show schedule re-establishes the original calendar, which sees ZOOMARK INTERNATIONAL to be held in the odd years and Interzoo in the even years.
BolognaFiere and WZF are convinced that the digital formats and rescheduling of their trade fair dates are the best ways to support the industry during the Covid-19 pandemic. The organizers of the two trade fairs are planning further joint activities, which they will report on during the first quarter of 2021.