(PRESS RELEASE) KANSAS CITY, MO — WATT Global Media, organizers of Petfood Forum, and Interzoo organizer Pet Industry Services – Wirtschaftsgemeinschaft Zoologischer Fachbetriebe GmbH (WZF) have extended their partnership until 2028, offering the pet food industry numerous opportunities for international networking and business development.
The most significant events of the companies’ cooperation will be the Interzoo Pavilion at Petfood Forum 2025 (April 28-30) and 2027 (April 26-28) in Kansas City, Missouri, U.S., as well as the Petfood Forum Europe, which will take place in 2026 and 2028 on the day prior to Interzoo in Nuremberg, Germany.
In the fourth year of their collaboration, WATT and WZF have confirmed they will continue to strengthen the already established cooperation projects, Interzoo Pavilion and Petfood Forum Europe. The international community stand Interzoo Pavilion will once again support companies in their expansion into new markets at Petfood Forum 2025 and 2027. The Petfood Forum Europe conference, which already attracted hundreds of participants from all over the world to Nuremberg in 2022 and 2024 one day prior to the world’s leading trade fair Interzoo, has also been scheduled for Monday, May 11, 2026, right before Interzoo 2026 and for the day before Interzoo 2028.
“The expanded partnership offers both Interzoo and Petfood Forum participants additional opportunities for networking and professional insight into the industry’s most important trends,” said Dr Rowena Arzt, head of exhibitions at WZF. “The Interzoo Pavilion is an attractive opportunity for pet food and pet food technology companies to join us in tapping into new markets, even in the non-Interzoo years of 2025 and 2027. We are also very pleased that Petfood Forum will be a fixed part of the supporting program at the next two Interzoo events in 2026 and 2028.”
Building international bridges for the pet food industry
The partnership between WATT and WZF will provide exclusive access to the most important platforms in the global pet food industry. The Interzoo Pavilion at Petfood Forum enables participants of the international community stand to start business activities in key pet markets and to expand their business relationships through direct contact with around 4,000 pet food industry professionals. In addition, the Pavilion participation gives access to a top-class conference program that offers insights into current trends and developments.
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“The Interzoo Pavilion is a platform that not only supports networking and business development but also provides in-depth insights into technological developments and industry-specific specialist topics,” said Arzt. “These insights support companies operating successfully in a dynamic and innovative market environment.”
Steve Akins, executive vice president, Global Petfood and Events at WATT Global Media, added, “The Petfood Forum and Interzoo Pavilion bring together pet food industry players and provide a unique opportunity to network, share knowledge and actively shape the future of the industry.”
Cooperation promotes networking and boosts synergies
In 2026, Interzoo and Petfood Forum Europe will be at Nuremberg Messe for the third time. The two previous editions of Petfood Forum Europe have seen a steady increase in the number of participants. With around 300 participants from 33 countries attending the event in May 2024, the one-day conference has become one of the most important European platforms for exchanging knowledge and making contacts in the pet food industry.
“Thanks to our cooperation, participant numbers are expected to double since the inception of our partnership,” said Akins. “We anticipate that Petfood Forum Europe 2026 attendance will include 400 pet food professionals from nearly 35 countries around the globe.”
The future-oriented supporting program focuses on challenges and advances in pet food production as well as innovative solutions for ingredients, processing and packaging. The event serves as an important meeting place for industry experts at the upcoming Interzoo events 2026 and 2028 in Nuremberg.
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“The combination of Petfood Forum Europe, a leading one-day conference, and the world’s leading trade fair makes Interzoo Week from 11 to 15 May 2026 an indispensable highlight in every petfood professional’s calendar,” said Arzt. “We are more than proud of this partnership and look forward to many event highlights over the next four years.”
Further information on the Interzoo Pavilion package and registration details for the international community stand can be found at interzoo-pavilion.com.
About WZF
Pet Industry Services – WZF (Wirtschaftsgemeinschaft Zoologischer Fachbetriebe GmbH (WZF) organizes Interzoo in Nuremberg in partnership with Zentralverband Zoologischer Fachbetriebe Deutschlands e. V. (ZZF) as honorary sponsor and supporting organization. WZF is the founder, owner and organiser of the world’s largest international trade fair for the pet supplies industry. With 2,150 exhibitors and about 37,000 trade visitors from 140 countries Interzoo is the undisputed leading international fair for pet supplies. WZF has commissioned NürnbergMesse GmbH to organize the trade fair since 1988. Since summer 2020, WZF has offered online specialist lectures on pet industry topics with the Interzoo Academy.
WZF is a 100 percent subsidiary of ZZF. It makes a major contribution to the economic development and communications strategy of the pet industry through its business segments Trade Fairs & Events, Media Relations & Industry-specific PR and Training & Professional Development, and through its animal ID agency.
About WATT Global Media
WATT Global Media is a leading provider of business information, events and digital platforms for the global pet food and agriculture industries. As the organiser of the Petfood Forum, one of the most important pet food industry conferences and exhibitions worldwide, WATT offers companies unique opportunities to network with decision-makers, innovators and experts from across the supply chain. With formats such as the Petfood Forum and Petfood Forum Europe, WATT not only supports the industry in expanding business relationships, but also in the transfer of knowledge on current trends, technological developments and strategic topics. For over 100 years, the company has combined expertise with modern event management, promoting innovation and growth in its target markets.
