On 12–15 September, the 
2012 international pet industry exhibition took place at Moscow’s Sokolniki exhibition centre, Russia.
The exhibition brought together 153 companies from all regions of Russia and also from Belgium, Germany, Italy, Great Britain, Ukraine, Lithuania, USA, Canada, China and Thailand. The exhibition covered 8000 m2. The number of companies participating and the size of the exhibition space increased by 95% from last year.
It would be difficult to overestimate the significance of the ParkZoo exhibition for the Russian pets market. For many years Moscow had suffered from not having a pet industry exhibition, despite the fact that the Russian capital and surrounding region accounts for more than 60% of the overall Russian pets market. At long last the gap has been filled and, what is more, judging by initial results and amazing expansion, there is a promise of far more to come.
This was only the second ParkZoo exhibition, but the important measurements such as size, visitor and participant numbers, tell us that this year the exhibition was twice as large as last.
The greatest achievement of ParkZoo has been its professional reach. Over four days ParkZoo show was visited by 7,800 professionals from wholesale and retail companies, distributors and producers from Russia and abroad, everyone with a professional interest. Exhibitors all remarked that those four days gave them the opportunity to immerse themselves in the industry, to meet existing partners and potential clients, everyone was there to do business.
The statistics bear witness to the undoubted success and breadth of this event. During four days not only the stands saw intensive activity, but also the Sokolniki conference facilities.
The wide-ranging business events proved to be particularly popular:
the Russian Pet Industry Union’s Conference on Legal Support for Pet Industry Companies drew 70 attendees;
the Franchising in the Pet Industry round table was attended by 90.
At the presentation entitled Pet Store Assortment: how to manage chaos? by Nic Dechamps (Germany), maximum possible 170 people squeezed themselves into the room.
The Autumn Veterinary Conference, organised by the Russian Association of Practising Veterinary Surgeons, attracted 230 professionals who received certificates as part of a post-diploma study programme.
Participating companies ran their own events. There were master classes, product presentations and so on.
At the heart of the exhibition was the New Products Competition which, as always, generated great interest and excitement. The competition received 124 entries from 40 companies. For two days exhibition visitors voted for the best new products.
New Products competition: Winners
Food and treats – Happy Cat cat food (Germany);
Accessories – Tornado and Twister, interactive intellectual games for dogs (USA);
Care products – Kotoffey clumping tray litter (Russia);
Veterinary – Inspector flea treatment (Russia);
Aquaria – AquaLighterDevice light and temperature control unit (Ukraine);
Innovation of the Year – UP folding cat and dog carrying bag.
Prize for the best stand of the Show went to Ivanko company (Saint-Petersburg).
All photos of the event can be downloaded here: https://www.parkzoo.msk.ru/en/gallery_2012/
The overall conclusion of participants is that ParkZoo was a highly useful and beneficial event. Visitors reported themselves delighted with ParkZoo 2012 and have already marked it in the calendar for next year.
Looking forward to seeing you from 18–21 September 2013 at the Sokolniki International exhibition centre in Moscow, Russia!
Organiser: ARTIS Expo
Phone: +7 495 797 6443
E-mail: