The PetQuip export association has been successful in the Government’s latest Tradeshow Access Programme bidding round in securing cash grants for three major international pet product trade exhibitions in 2018-19. 

The funding is available to eligible SMEs under the DIT’s Tradeshow Access Programme and will enable British companies to exhibit their products at international exhibitions in a cost-effective way, while also benefiting from the wide range of practical research, logistical and promotional support offered by the Association.

In addition to Global Pet Expo in Florida and Interzoo in Nuremberg, where PetQuip has extensive experience of organising exhibitor groups, the Association has secured funding for the CIPS International Pet Show in Guangzhou, China, a key pet and aquarium products show in the Asia-Pacific region. 

The association had already secured funding for this year’s Global Pet Expo in Orlando, Florida (22-24 March 2018).  Funding of £2,000 is available to eligible SMEs.  PetQuip has now secured cash grants for exhibitors at next year’s edition from 20-22 March 2019.

In 2017 the show attracted 6,761 qualified pet product buyers covering the vast majority of the pet specialist chains and independents, mail order companies and online retailers, distributors and wholesalers from the US and Canada. 

Attendance also included an impressive number of international retailers, importers and distributors from around the world. The show has a reputation for attracting a high number of bona fide buyers, and the British group at last year’s event reaped the benefits and reported on securing business with the US, Canada, South America, Europe, Australasia and the Far East. The PetQuip team on the British information stand also held meaningful discussions with over 60 buyers from 20 countries.

The next international trade exhibition with funding on the exhibition calendar is Interzoo in Nuremberg, Germany (8-11 May 2018), where PetQuip has been organising the British group since 2006. Held every two years, Interzoo’s attendance has grown with every event and the 2016 edition attracting 39,075 visitors from 117 countries. 

The 62-strong British group in 2016 consisted of regular exhibitors and many companies that were making their debut at the show.  The results for these companies in terms of orders, solid business enquiries and the appointments of overseas distributors were outstanding. 

For any company wishing to enter export markets or expand their existing export portfolio, Interzoo is a show not to be missed. Remaining space is extremely limited so interested suppliers should contact PetQuip as a matter of urgency.

CIPS International Pet Show, Guangzhou, China (27-30 September 2018) is an exciting addition to PetQuip’s international exhibition programme for 2018, and follows an exploratory visit made by PetQuip in 2016 and the inaugural exhibiting group at the Shanghai edition of the show in 2017.  The CIPS show has grown rapidly in recent years and has become a gateway to enter the fast growing Chinese and Asian markets. 

Following 22 years of development, CIPS is a leading pet and aquarium supplies show in the Asia-Pacific region. CIPS 2018 is expected to have 1500 exhibitors representing pet product and aquarium manufacturers and suppliers from all over the world.   China’s population of 1.35 billion includes a growing middle class that choose to spend money on their pets, so the market for pet products has scope for considerable expansion.  Euromonitor estimates that the market will reach US$2.6 billion by 2019.

Commenting on the programme of export initiatives planned for 2018-19, Amanda Sizer Barrett, director general of PetQuip said: “I am delighted that all of the bids made by the Association in support of the UK pet product industry have been successful, including the inclusion of CIPS Guangzhou in China to help open up a whole new shop window for British suppliers. 

"The cash grants available to eligible British suppliers will help pave the way for further expansion of exports to markets around the world.  In addition to major international exhibition involvement, the Association’s schedule will encompass several of our highly successful ‘Meet the International Buyers’ events, export support at both PATS and Glee and a comprehensive range of other export services that are available on a day-to-day basis to our member companies. Our export support programme will help deliver exciting opportunities for British exporters of pet products and services.” 

Full details on these initiatives and how to apply will issued during the year but in the meantime interested companies should contact PetQuip to register their initial interest and to obtain full information on the comprehensive range of export advice, market research, sales leads and practical advice available to member companies.