|
IIPTF
2008
IN RETROSPECT
View the IIPTF 2008 Photo Gallery
The three-day India International Pet Trade
Fair – IIPTF 2008 – came to a close at 19:00 hrs on 02
March. This was the second edition of the annual fair and by
all accounts, a raving success.
IIPTF-2008 had 49 exhibitors including those from
Singapore, Poland and China. Indian buyers from all parts of
the country and 100 foreign buyers from 21 countries
attended the fair.
Unlike other international pet trade fairs that are straight
business-to-business (B2B), the decision was made to also
include a business-to-consumer (B2C) component to the IIPTF,
where Indian consumers could see what is available in the
local market and book sales in advance with exhibiting
retailers.
Having a B2C component attracted the crowds and gave foreign
delegates the opportunity to access the enthusiasm for pet
ownership in the Indian market. At least one Indian
manufacturer, who until now has been only been making
products for export to developed countries, has now decided
to set up a manufacturing unit for the local market; this
was due to the number of queries he received from Indian
consumers as to where one can obtain his products locally.
As IIPTF matures in the years to come, it is the plan to
schedule the Friday and B2B only, and both B2C and B2B
activities on the Saturday and Sunday.
When speaking to the organizer about the fair, Mr. Cameron McTavish, Chairman of
Aristopet in Australia said, “This is a great show. I’ve been in the pet industry for a long long time. I’ve watched pet ownership grow in popularity across Asia, starting with Japan quite a while ago and spreading westward. Now it’s catching on in India in a big way. You’re doing the right thing at the right time by having these pet trade fairs in India. Keep it up and the sky’s the limit”. Several other foreign delegates echoed the sentiments of Mr. McTavish.
Click here to read exhibitors’ comments.
IIPTF received a substantial amount of local media coverage,
both electronic and print. Electronic-wise, Zee Business,
Total TV, CNN, Aajtak, NDTV, Meow 104.8 FM, Star World and
Loksabha TV (part of Delhi Doordarshan) carried interviews
with the organizers and/or video clips of the fair. In terms
of print media, the fair received coverage in the Times of
India (It's
going to be your pet fair!);
The Financial Express (Pet
industry seeks slash in import duties;
and Yahoo India News
(Go
shopping for your pet). |
