The 18th China International Pet Show (CIPS) – a trade fair in Asia for pet supplies and aquarium products broke new records when it ran recently in Beijing: 946 exhibitors from a total of 20 countries showcased their products over a display area of 80,000 square meters and provided the around 36,000 trade visitors with information about the latest products and current trends.

The annual exhibition is co-organised by the China Great Wall International Exhibition Company and NürnbergMesse.

The ongoing growth in the Chinese pet market made for a positive mood among exhibitors and visitors. “The stable economic situation in China is creating a good basis for the country’s pet supply industry and is making it an attractive market for companies worldwide. For international exhibitors in particular, the CIPS opens doors to the Asian market and is very popular,” said Katharina Neumann, project coordinator at NürnbergMesse GmbH.

Exhibiting companies came from 20 countries and trade visitors from 70 countries, mainly from Europe and the Americas, as well as 36,000 trade visitors in total, 45 percent of whom travelled from countries outside Asia, 26 percent of them from Europe alone.

In the Asia region, the CIPS is the key industry platform for international experts from the pet segment to share knowledge at a high professional standard.

 "For us, the CIPS is always the ideal platform for networking and a place where we meet customers, suppliers and old friends and at the same time make promising new contacts,'' said exhibitor Dennis van Houten from D. van Houten Import – Export B.V.

Many exhibitors were pleased about the major international component of the event in Beijing. “For us as a European company, the CIPS not only builds a bridge to the Asian pet industry but also to potential partners in South American and Arab countries. We see future potential for our export trade in these growth markets,” said Pierluigi Fortuna of Italian company MPS 2 Italian Pet Products.

He added, “In 2015, as in previous years, we intend to build on these contacts and exhibit at the CIPS again.”

The record participation of 946 exhibiting companies (916 in 2013) called for yet another extension of the exhibition area to 80,000 m² (60,000 m² in 2013). More than half of the exhibitors presented products and services from the pet segment, while another third came from the aquarium field.

The CIPS 2014 incorporated a diverse supporting programme. As well as regular features like various special presentations, competitions and awards, exhibitors also enjoyed a completely new opportunity: to showcase their product developments in the twice-daily “Pets and Beauties” show.

Many companies used this creative platform to have their product innovations presented by fashion models. The show engendered a lot of interest among visitors and media alike.

The next China International Pet Show will premiere in Shanghai next year in November. By relocating the show to the National Exhibition and Convention Center, which was completed in October 2014 in Hongqiao district, the organizers are responding to current developments and the increasing fit-out and service requirements to be met by the exhibition halls.