Page 18 - PET worldwide issue 01/2022

Review of the year Interzoo on the screen

The first Interzoo to take place in digital form was much more

than an emergency solution dictated by the pandemic. It was
also a premiere with highs and lows, however.

Interzoo organiser WZF did not The extensive international retail groups could be accessed.
have much time to build its digi- spread of the digital fair was The number of visitors subse-
tal show platform for the period pleasing and by no means self- quently reported by the organ-
from 1 to 4 June, and it undoubt- evident. Players from China and isers was impressive at 14 537
edly merits huge respect for its South Korea in particular were participants from over 100 coun-
achievement. The results were strongly represented alongside tries. The figure included 9 513
praised as probably the most European companies. High-pro- visitors during the show, includ-
technically demanding digital file exhibitors from North and ing roughly 30 per cent from Ger-
trade fair worldwide in the pet South America were largely ab- many. 130 000 chat- messages
supplies business. sent, however, from the digital and 2 300 video calls underline
Admittedly, at first glance the event. the high levels of interaction on
plethora of virtual cafes, net- the platform, and the activity in
working areas, lead-finder di- Retailers thin on the chat room cafes occasion-
rectories, stand areas and ac- the ground ally resembled a Turkish bazaar.
companying programme items Online participation in Interzoo Companies from across the
appeared confusing and surely continued over four days, but it globe banged the drum for their
frightened off a number of visi- was no substitute for the popular products.
tors in the run-up to the show. physical fair that was so familiar The portal remained open un-
But with 336 exhibitors from hitherto. During the online show til the end of July. On its closure,
48 countries, a satisfactory out- days, many exhibitors and other those involved unanimously ex-
come could be achieved, at least participants complained that far pressed the hope that a live Inter-
in terms of numbers. too few speciality retailers and zoo will be permitted this year. n

The opening of Interzoo.digital
live from the studio.

Photo: WZF/Schmidt

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