More than 20,000 trade professionals from around the world visited Bologna, Italy, for the 12th edition of Zoomark International, a biennial exposition of products and services for pets held May 10-13 at the Bologna Trade Fair Centre.

According to show organizers, 22.5 percent of buyers visited the show from countries other than Italy, a 20 percent increase from 2005.

A record 604 exhibitors participated in the show, up 11 percent from 545 exhibitors in 2005. More than half of the exhibitors came from 34 countries other than Italy.

“This is the result of the massive promotion carried out to increase Zoomark International’s appeal worldwide,” said Adolfo Somigliana, a managing director for Piesse, the managing secretariat of the exhibition.