The show set exhibitor attendance records with 1,275 companies from 56 nations, up from 1,101 exhibitors from 47 nations in 2004. In addition to Germany, leading exhibitors came from Belgium, China, France, Italy, Great Britain, Spain and the United States. Show organizers reported significant increases in exhibit space for companies from Belgium, Canada, the Czech Republic, China, India, Poland and the United States.

Hans-Jochen Büngener, chairman of the Interzoo Exhibition Committee, was pleased by the record-setting attendance and exhibition space numbers. “A global range of high-quality products was presented on even more attractively designed exhibition stands. The majority of the exhibitors were satisfied with the ordering activity of the visitors,” he said.

Most of the 129 American companies exhibiting at the show—many of which displayed their products and services in a well-organized American pavilion—reported increased traffic during the four-day event. “We’ve done very well,” said Todd Jakubowski, owner of Pet Gear (West Rutland, Vt.). “For us, the show is about developing business relationships and building a platform for future business.”

Klaus Oechsner, president of the Zentralverband Zoologischer Fachbetriebe e.V., sponsor of Interzoo, noted an increasing interest in organic food products. “Healthy, organically produced articles are increasingly capturing the pet supplies market. When it comes to buying accessories, the design must also satisfy modern demands,” he said.

In addition, show organizers reported that the worldwide market for pet supplies reached 44 billion euros last year (about $56 billion). Europe accounted for about 17.5 billion euros (about $22.5 billion), while North America’s share was 17 billion euros (about $24 billion). The Asian market represented about 6.6 billion euros (about $8.5 billion).

The next edition of Interzoo will be held May 22-25, 2008, at the same location in Nuremberg. For more information, visit www.zzf.de or www.interzoo.com. [August 2006 PET AGE]