Interzoo 2026, taking place in Germany from May 12-15, will expand its supporting programme with a full-day sustainability conference, the first-ever Interzoo Sustainability Award, and the inaugural Interzoo Groomers’ Day.
On May 11, 2026, the first Interzoo Sustainability Conference will take place. As part of the new conference on the eve of the world’s largest trade fair for pet supplies, the Interzoo Sustainability Award will also be presented for the first time. Another premiere in the Interzoo supporting programme (May 12-15, 2026) is Interzoo Groomers’ Day on May 14, 2026.
INTERZOO SUSTAINABILITY CONFERENCE
The premiere of the Interzoo Sustainability Conference is being organised in collaboration with the Antwerp Management School (AMS), the longstanding sustainability partner Interzoo. The one-day programme offers CSR and sustainability managers and experts from the pet industry a unique international platform where they can learn about trends and developments in sustainability, discuss novel approaches, and network with one another. Renowned researchers, industry pioneers, and UN representatives will explain key trends and advances in sustainability, drawing on recent studies and best practice examples.
KEYNOTE SPEAKER ELLIOTT HARRIS WILL OPEN THE COMPREHENSIVE PROGRAMME
The conference will open with a keynote by Elliott Harris, Global Economics Expert and former United Nations Chief Economist and Assistant Secretary-General for Economic Development. Elliott Harris has been closely involved in the design of the global Sustainable Development Agenda, will deliver an impactful address on cooperation between policymakers and the business community with a view to a sustainable future. The subsequent multifaceted agenda provides a comprehensive overview of sustainability in the pet industry, covering topics such as environmental stewardship, ethical sourcing, production, sales, social responsibility, and circular economy models. The conference is supported by the Pet Sustainability Coalition (PSC) and many other partners.
INTERZOO SUSTAINABILITY STUDY 2026
An important part of the conference is a workshop on the latest results of the 2026 Interzoo Sustainability Study, which the AMS has been producing for the pet industry since 2018. This study explores the factors that influence sustainability in the pet industry, shows what progress has been made, and highlights the areas where even more can be done for sustainability through collaboration between various players. The insights from what is meanwhile the fifth edition of the study will be presented in an interactive format to encourage thematic networking among the conference delegates.
INTERZOO SUSTAINABILITY AWARD
The pitch presentations of the finalists in the first Interzoo Sustainability Award are set to be a special highlight. In the afternoon of the conference, the nominated candidates will present their strategic initiatives or business cases for sustainable developments in the pet industry to the audience, who will then join forces with the jury to vote for the winner. The award will be handed over at the official Interzoo opening ceremony on the evening of 11 May. The call for applications with terms and conditions of participation is published on the Interzoo website. Concepts for the award can be submitted until the end of February.
Commenting on the novelties, Dr Rowena Arzt, Head of Exhibitions at Interzoo organiser WZF, says: “I am absolutely delighted about this important milestone for Interzoo. With the new conference and Interzoo Sustainability Award, we are devoting even more attention to sustainability within the framework of the eventful week at Interzoo. Based on the significant interest in the topic at Interzoo 2024, we are now dedicating an exclusive day to sustainability. At the world-leading fair itself, we are putting the spotlight on sustainable products and innovations with our new Sustainability Product Showcase and Fresh Ideas Stage. By doing so, we aim to inspire and support the pet industry to continue to work on sustainable solutions and business cases.”
INTERZOO GROOMERS’ DAY
Another new event in the supporting programme for Interzoo 2026 is the Interzoo Groomers’ Day, which takes place on 14 May 2026. This international gathering for pet groomers and pet care professionals offers a dedicated programme covering grooming techniques, trends and products as well as a specially designed networking platform. A separate area has been developed for this purpose and combines product presentations, catering, networking and demonstrations in one place for four-legged friends and their humans.
“We are already looking forward to practical live demonstrations, presentations, and interviews by and with renowned industry experts like Kitty Dekeersgieter or Sandra Mularska,” says Karin Witthohn, member of the board of ZZF – Zentralverband der Heimtierbranche e.V. (German Pet Trade and Industry Association), Interzoo’s honorary sponsor. Kitty Dekeersgieter, founder and organiser of Groomania, adds: “The Interzoo Groomers’ Day marks a major milestone for the global pet grooming community. For the first time, professional pet groomers, brands and distributors from all over the world will enjoy a shared space to connect, learn from one another, and exchange ideas. As a result, Interzoo offers the unique opportunity to put the spotlight on training and innovations in pet grooming – in an environment that values sustainability, ergonomics, and animal welfare. I am convinced that creating a dedicated area where grooming professionals can discover innovations, recharge their batteries, and add to their knowledge in a pleasant atmosphere will make the experience more meaningful and inspiring for everyone involved.”
Jennifer Welzel, Deputy Chair of the ZZF Membership Group Pet grooming salons, explains: “The Interzoo Groomers’ Day is the exclusive gathering in Germany for professional pet groomers who practice their trade with passion and a commitment to exacting standards. The unique co-location with world´s leading trade fair Interzoo results in a completely new space for professional development, knowledge-sharing, inspiration, and innovation – an incredibly special kind of experience offering so much more than the usual kind of industry gathering.”
More information and tickets for the Interzoo Groomers’ Day will be available from mid-December 2025 on the Interzoo website. The ticket also includes free entry to Interzoo on all four days of the event. The organizers state that this allows all participants to expand and nurture their industry and business contacts at Interzoo and be inspired by the latest trends and innovations in the international pet industry.
