Iberzoo Propet, the setting for the 7th AEDPAC Forum

The Spanish Association of Distributors of Pet Products (AEDPAC) is presenting its most cross-cutting programme at Iberzoo Propet 2025, which is held in Hall 10 of IFEMA MADRID from 26 to 28 February 2025. The slogan of the seventh edition of the AEDPAC Forum will be “The Forum of Industry and Commerce in the Pet Sector in Spain".

The FORUM provides professional visitors attending the event with a platform for debate featuring personalities and experts who will discuss current trends in the pet care industry and retail market.

Several round tables will be held at this edition. These will address the new retail ecosystem in the pet care sector, the implementation of a pet-friendly culture in today’s society, an analysis of global trends that will shape the development of the international pet care market, the myths and realities surrounding new diets in pet food, and the importance of corporate social responsibility policies for brands in the sector. Other discussions will revolve around the public administration’s perspective on animal welfare and protection in Spain in 2025 and the impact of the medication law on the veterinary sector, and the programme will conclude with a discussion on the current situation and future outlook for the veterinary profession in our country.

According to Ignasi Solana, the curator of the event, “Since its inception, the FORUM has established itself as the key meeting point for analysis and debate on the business and commercial activities of pet care professionals and companies in our country. It is an open space for identifying new trends, generating valuable content, and projecting the voice of the sector to markets, media, and the public”.

At this edition, the AEDPAC FORUM is benefiting from the collaboration and participation of the AMVAC, ANFAAC, CEVE associations, and the General Directorate of Animal Rights.

PROGRAMME:

WEDNESDAY 26 FEBRUARY

From 11.30 am to 12:30 am.

“Pet shops, veterinary centres, breeders, and grooming salons. The formation of the new specialised business infrastructure in Spain's pet sector.”

Moderator: Mar Cañas Asanza.

Director of Technology and Environment at Interempresas Media.

She graduated in Information Sciences. She has extensive experience in communication and public relations, publication editing and online product development. In recent years, she has specialised in team management and defining global communication strategies.

Alex Artero, CEO of ARTERO.

Business management and administration at Management School. CEO at INSPIRING STYLE, S.A., ARTERO USA INC, ARTERO UK, LTD, SAS. AND ARTERO FRANCE. More than 35 years of experience in the sector.

Itziar Gonzalez, Co-CEO and partner of Tumascota.

She graduated in Physical Activity and Sports Sciences (UPM). She was a lecturer and researcher (UPV-EHU) until 2002 when she joined the management of the Tumascota chain of establishments, a project founded in 1973. More than 20 years of experience in the pet sector retail business sector.

José Miguel Doval, President of the Real Sociedad Canina de España (Royal Spanish Dog Society).

President and founder member of the World Dog Press Association. CEO at perros365.com. Member of the Committee of the Fédération Cynologique Internationale.

President of the RSCE (Spanish Kennel Club). Member of the General Committee of the FCI.

From 12:30 am to 13:30 am.

“Analysis of global trends that will shape the development of the international pet care market”. The vision of GlobalPETS & PETS International.

David Palacios Rubio, Editor-in-Chief, GlobalPETS & PETS International 

He graduated in Journalism from the Autonomous University of Barcelona (UAB) and has a solid background in media and international organisations, including the European Parliament. Currently, he leads the editorial strategy of one of the most influential B2B publications in the companion animal industry, which is distributed in 130 countries.

From 17:00 pm to 18:00 pm.

Is Spain a pet-friendly country? An approach to the level of acceptance regarding the inclusion of pets in public administration, businesses, hotels, shops, leisure activities, and the workplace.

Moderator: Mercè Jimenez, Founder of Turismo Canino.

Graduated in Audiovisual Communication. Master’s in communication management and advertising. Expert in digital marketing. In 2017, she founded a website focused on promoting dog-friendly tourism through specialised content and travel proposals with dogs. Author of the DOG TRIP collection (Anaya Touring). Pet-friendly tourism consultant. Writer in the ‘Peludos’ section of La Vanguardia.

Francisco Garrido Benavides, CEO of TravelGuau.

Founded in 2012, TravelGuau works to achieve more inclusive and pet-friendly tourism, committed to the welfare of our pets and the happiness of their families, promoting a more sustainable, responsible, and welcoming tourism industry for all. It encourages travellers, establishments, and tourist destinations alike to join the pet-friendly movement.

Micaela de la Maza, Director of SrPerro, and President of the SrPerro Colega Foundation.

Journalist and photographer. In 2011, she created the first dog-friendly tourism website in Spain. Promoter of dog-friendly leisure activities. Advocate for canine welfare. In 2023, she established the SrPerro Colega Foundation to encourage adoption and raise awareness about abandonment.

Pablo Muñoz Gabilondo, Creator of Pipper on tour.

Journalist. He has been travelling with his pet Pipper since 2018, “the first tourist dog to have toured Spain, in order to raise awareness in society and achieve access for well-behaved dogs to means of transport, accommodations, and restaurants…” He is the author of the guide ‘Spain with Dog’ (geoPlaneta) and the creator of ‘Pipper on the Road’ (TVE). He has more than a million followers at www.pipperontour.com

THURSDAY, 27 FEBRUARY

From 11.30 am to 12:30 am.

“Petfood: Myths and realities in new diets for pets.

Collaborator: ANFAAC.

Moderator: Pablo Hervás. Technical director of ANFAAC

Veterinarian MBA in Management and Business Administration in the Animal Health Industry from ESIC. Head of technical and regulatory affairs at ANFAAC. Collaborator with FEDIAF. Technical director and public affairs director at Veterindustria. Vice president of the Vet+i Foundation.

Marta Hervera Abad. Veterinarian, PhD, Acre GENCV AVEPA.

Doctor of Animal Nutrition from UAB. Diploma from the European College of Veterinary and Comparative Nutrition (ECVCN). Founder and specialist advisor at Expert Pet Nutrition. Trainer and writer on dog and cat nutrition. Member of the scientific committee of FEDIAF. In collaboration with FEDIAF.

Víctor Romano. R&D Affinity Petcare S.A.

Graduated in Veterinary Medicine from UAB. Over 20 years of experience in the nutrition of dogs and cats. Coordinator of the Technical Committee of ANFAAC. Chair of the "Product Communication" working group at FEDIAF.

Víctor Algra. Clinical veterinarian and educator.

He graduated from UCM with a degree in veterinary medicine and from RESAD with a degree in interpretation. Postgraduate degree in Small Animal Clinic from UAB. Certified in Pedagogical Aptitude from UCM. Director at Centro Veterinario Pacífico. Founder and director of www.unveterinario.es. Contributor to Zapeando (La Sexta).

María Ángeles Toscano. Corporate Affairs Director at Royal Canin Ibérica.

Graduated in Veterinary Medicine. Master’s in business administration (MBA from the Instituto de Empresa).

From 12:30 am to 13:30 am.

“The Importance of CSR Policies for Brands to Connect with Pet Parents. Public-Private Cases and Initiatives to Promote Responsible Pet Ownership.”

Moderator: Ruth Manzanares, Director General of Animal Rights.

Civil servant at the Directorate General of Animal Rights since 2020. INCUAL expert in the development of various professional qualifications related to dog training, breeding and sale of pets, and the management of animal protection centres. Specialist in training and education on matters related to pets in various public administrations and private entities.

Alejandra González, Head of Digital Marketing & Communication for Spain & Portugal at Elanco Animal Health.

With 40 years of experience in the veterinary health sector. She began her career at Bayer. She is responsible for the "Leave a Mark Elanco" Programme, which celebrated its 25th anniversary last year. The purpose of this initiative is to promote non-abandonment and responsible adoption, raise awareness and recognise therapy and assistance organisations, and foster responsible coexistence between people and animals.

Lola Barceló Ochoa, Chief People Officer & Co-Sponsor E.S.G at Grupo IskayPet.

Graduated in English Philology. Master’s in human resources. Executive programme in Leadership at IE. Professor and collaborator at EAE and IE. With over 25 years of experience devoted to people and the pet sector. Specialist in adding value to organisations by enhancing team commitment and motivation in alignment with strategic objectives and results.

Ana Chinarro, President of the Dingonatura Foundation.

Veterinarian and CEO of Dingonatura, with over 30 years of experience in the dog and cat nutrition industry. President of the Dingonatura Foundation and a member of the Board of Directors of Huellas Compartidas.

From 17:30 pm to 18:30 pm.

“Animal welfare and protection: Spain in 2025”.

José Ramón Becerra, Director General of Animal Rights.

Technical Industrial Engineer from the University of the Basque Country and master’s in environmental and occupational risk Prevention and Control from UNED. Professionally, he developed nearly his entire career in the Basque public administration, holding technical and management positions such as the Director of Environmental Administration and the Director of Strategic Projects and Industrial Administration for the Basque Government.

He is a national reference in the animal welfare field, thanks to the Animal Protection Bill he initiated in Euskadi while serving as a parliamentarian in the Basque Parliament.

Presented by: Ignasi Solana Vinyoles, FORUM Curator. General Secretary AEDPAC.

Training at ESADE and UAB. Founder of ITVET. CEO of Pets2b. Co-author of the first pet sector White Paper in Spain. Co-founder of Dr.Vet by Bothmen Pharma. Columnist and speaker in various media on the pet care sector from a social and business perspective. Founder of the FORUM AEDPAC.

FRIDAY, 28 FEBRUARY

From 11.30 am to 12:30 am.

“The medicines act. Its impact on the development of the Spanish veterinary sector”

Collaborator: CEVE.

Moderator: Jaime Díaz Sacristán, Customer Healthcare and Engagement Director at UNAVETS

Veterinarian Clinical veterinarian. Marketing Manager, KAM, and Business consultant. Founding partner of Ilusiona Consultora Sanitaria. He held different roles in Pfizer and Zoetis. Former manager of AMVAC. Since its foundation, it has been part of the Unavets group as Customer Healthcare and Engagement Director.

Manuel Lázaro Rubio, Clinical pet veterinarian.

He graduated with a degree in veterinary medicine from the Complutense University of Madrid. He has been a member of the Board of Directors of AMVAC (Madrid Association of Companion Animal Veterinarians). He is currently a member of GERPAC and GEMCA (Specialist Groups of AVEPA in Reproduction and Behavioural Medicine, respectively). He is currently a member of the Governing Board of the Association of Veterinarians of Madrid.

Matilde Sotodosos, Head of the pharmaceutical law department at CEVE.

I graduated with a degree in chemical sciences and pharmacy, with a master’s in business management.

Over 25 years of experience working in the veterinary sector.

Ramiro Casimiro, Deputy head of the Veterinary Medicines Department at AEMPS.

Veterinarian He has held several positions in organisations such as the National Agricultural Products Service (SENPA), the General Subdirectorate of Animal Health at the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, and the Spanish Agency of Medicines (AEM). He is responsible for Pharmacovigilance, Quality Defects, and Foreign Trade of veterinary medicines and is currently in the Veterinary Medicines Department of the Spanish Agency of Medicines and Medical Devices (AEMPS).

From 12:30 am to 13:30 am.

“Present and future of the professional veterinary career. A nationwide challenge”. Collaborator: CEVE.

Moderator: Pablo Pastor, head of unit at FUNDAE - State Foundation for Employment Training.

Graduated in Psychology. Postgraduate studies in Human Resources. Professional teacher training and in the private business sector. Over 25 years of experience in coordinating teams and managing grant application processes to promote research and development projects in vocational training for employment.

Natacha Suarez, president of AEMVELPA.

Veterinarian with over 20 years of experience in the sector. Specialist in preventive medicine and training in all areas of clinical work. She has worked as a clinical veterinarian and general surgeon. Municipal advisor. Advisor on hygiene, public health, and expert assessments. Secretary of CEVE and responsible for training and accreditation development of ATVs.

Antonio Cabrera, manager of the training company FYSA.

General Secretary of the Federation of Health and Socio-Health Sectors of CCOO from 2009 to 2021. Previously held positions for 12 years in the Federation of Andalusia. Currently participates in the parity committees of FUNDAE for Private Health, Dependence, and Veterinary sectors.

Shaila Iribarne Clemente, UGT representative.

Laboratory assistant. Surgical assistant. Head of Clínica Veterinaria de San Sebastián. With over 12 years of experience in the sector.

José Agustín González Ferreiros, representative FETICO.

Veterinarian. Graduated from the University of Córdoba with over 20 years of experience in clinical practice with small animals and exotics.