The 7th edition of Iberzoo+Propet celebrated a growing pet sector

The 7th Iberzoo+Propet during which the sector united to confirmed that this is the greatest fair for pet sector professionals, is over. As usual, the event was organised by IFEMA MADRID and promoted by the Madrid Association of Pet Veterinarians (AMVAC) and the Spanish Association of Pet Industry and Trade (AEDPAC), and was a meeting point for the different professions that work in the pet sector, enabling Iberzoo+Propet to attract growing numbers of participants and positioning the fair as a major event for the sector in Europe. Participation was up by 12%, to a total of 18,970 professional attendees.

Growth in participation

This was the first time that Iberzoo+Propet had been held entirely on business days, with growth in participation by firms: 16% more space occupied and 12% more direct exhibitors.

This major event for the sector in Europe has earned its place in the international trade fair calendar with foreign participation up by 30% since 2022. This figure is largely explained by increased participation by direct exhibitors from outside Spain, with a total of 228 companies from 15 countries accounting for 16% of all exhibitors at Iberzoo+Propet. There were also numerous international visitors from 47 countries, indicating the global impact and importance of this fair to the pet industry.

The fair welcomed trade professionals from 57 countries: Andorra, Angola, Argentina, Austria, Belgium, Bolivia, Brazil, Bulgaria, Canada, Chile, China, Colombia, Costa Rica, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Ecuador, Estonia, Finland, France, Georgia, Germany, Grenada, Greece, Guatemala, Hungary, India, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Kazakhstan, Latvia, Libya, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Mexico, Morocco, Netherlands, Norway, Panama, Peru, Poland, Portugal, Republic of Moldova, Romania, Saudi Arabia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, United States, Greece, Guatemala, Hungary, India, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Kazakhstan, Latvia, Libya, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Mexico, Morocco, Netherlands, Norway, Panama, Peru, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Russia, Serbia, Slovenia, South Africa, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey, Ukraine, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, United States and Venezuela.

The content of Iberzoo+Propet, the key to success

An interesting, original programme of activities was undoubtedly one of the reasons for the resounding success of this event. From the AEDPAC Forum, which hosted the round of debates on current matters affecting the sector; the Artero Seminars which once again boasted a full house with the most important speakers from the canine style world; the 40th VetMadrid Congress, which attracted more than 3,000 vets to the North Convention Centre at IFEMA MADRID, to the Canine Style Runway with workshops featuring Artero, Procan, and the Italian firm IV San Bernard.

All-round award at the Sector Evening

Yet again, and after three editions, the Sector Evening has become the most eagerly awaited feature of each Iberzoo+Propet. As well as getting a snapshot of the sector with the latest data released by AMVAC and AEDPAC, the Antón Awards, the sector prizes were handed out. A total of five awards were handed out in the following categories during the event. Best Retailer in Spain went to Koala Mascotas in Santa Cruz de Tenerife; second prize in the Professional Career in the Professional Area went to Álex Artero, CEO of Artero; third prize went to José Ramón Escribano, for his professional career in the Veterinary Area; the fourth trophy in the category of Initiative to rescue people in disaster situations to the Spanish School of Rescue and Detection with Dogs. And finally, the fifth Anton Award in the Professional Animal Protection category went to Global Vets Aid.

In addition to the Anton Awards, Iberzoo+Propet wanted to highlight solidarity and innovation in the sector. The Eureka Animal Protection Awards, worth €3,000, were presented to the Asociación Animales con Un Nuevo Rumbo, and the Impulso Award to the startup The Doog Life, whose recognition consists of a stand at Iberzoo+Propet 2024.

In the meantime, AMVAC handed out the AMVAC Solidarity Award, for which 3% of turnover at the VetMadrid Congress is donated to the Pablo Ugarte Association against childhood cancer. In addition, the Madrid Association of Pet Veterinarians also wanted to give public recognition to the 40 years of support for its congress by companies Royal Canin, Hill’s, Affinity, Purina, Eukanuba- Spectrum Brands, Idexx, Covetrus-Distrivet, Bayer-Elanco, Zoetis, Boerhinger, MSD, Virbac, and Esteve.

The 7th IBERZOO+PROPET concluded with a firm proposal to continue to nurture this event as a meeting point for the sector and the different professions that will come together to make up the next edition in March 2024.