Interview with Félix Pérez-Fajardo, new director of Iberzoo Propet

Recognition of the work of the previous team

Question: How do you assess the beginning of this new phase at the helm of Iberzoo Propet, and what are the main challenges ahead?

Answer: I assume this responsibility with great enthusiasm and deep gratitude for the work of the entire IFEMA MADRID team, and especially my predecessor, Ana Rodríguez, and Pilar Heredero. Taking over the reins of a project that is consolidated, with unanimous recognition as a major business platform in the Iberian Peninsula, is a privilege. The great challenge now is to continue growing in quality and innovation, maintain the trust of the sector, and, at the same time, open new avenues that will also position IberzooPropet as an essential event on the international agenda of petcare professionals.

"The great challenge now is to continue growing in quality and innovation, and to open new avenues that will place Iberzoo Propet on the international agenda”

The strength of an unprecedented consensus

Question: What surprised you most upon taking over as the event's director?

Answer: What impressed me most was the consensus among all the industry players. Iberzoo Propet includes veterinary associations, business associations, professional associations, companies, retailers, veterinary clinics, foundations, and public and private administrations. This combined will makes the fair much more than a commercial event: it is a shared space that reflects the reality of the sector and guarantees its future. This consensus is the basis for undertaking new projects linked to innovation and internationalization.

“The support of the entire sector, entities, associations, and companies guarantees the future of the event”

A platform beyond business

Question: What role does Iberzoo Propet play as a meeting point for industry professionals?

Answer: Iberzoo Propet is not just a commercial showcase, but a platform that fosters knowledge exchange and the generation of synergies. Laboratories, distributors, accessory manufacturers, food brands, service companies, hairdressing, aquarium, cosmetics, health, and services companies all coexist in the same space. This diversity enriches the event and turns it into a brand with its own personality. A place where trends are nurtured and alliances are built that last beyond the fair.

Question: What objectives do you consider to be priorities for this new phase of the fair?

Answer: Our first objective is to maximize the profitability of exhibitor and visitor participation, which is ultimately the core of the fair. Every euro and every hour invested should translate into contacts, opportunities, learning, and business. Furthermore, we want to consolidate the international dimension, expand our reach to new areas of activity, and position Iberzoo Propet as a catalyst for trends and a benchmark for the entire sector.

New avenues for growth

Question: What new formulas or avenues for growth are being explored to strengthen Iberzoo Propet's position?

Answer: We are working in several directions: on the one hand, strengthening relationships with emerging markets such as Latin America and Asia, where petcare is experiencing a period of great dynamism; on the other, giving greater prominence to sustainability, innovation, and entrepreneurship, offering visibility to startups and technology projects. We also want to integrate collateral industries that provide added value, creating a comprehensive experience for exhibitors and visitors.

Madrid, a strategic location

Question: To what extent do you think the location of the fair can be key to attracting international visitors?

Answer: Location is a strategic factor. Madrid is an open, dynamic, and connected city that facilitates the arrival of international visitors. Fairs are in-person experiences where personal relationships make the difference, and our location allows us to combine business, networking, and an international presence that reinforces the event's appeal.

"Madrid is a strategic asset that combines business, networking, and international presence"

A unique model in Europe

Question: How would you define the Iberzoo Propet model, and what distinguishes it from other offerings on the market?

Answer: Iberzoo Propet is committed to an inclusive and cross-cutting model that brings together the entire value chain of the sector in a single space. Unlike other European trade fairs, which are usually linked to scientific conferences or focus solely on the exhibition of products and accessories, our event integrates the entire value chain, from companies linked to the veterinary field, professionals, and health centers, to products and services aimed at the retail market or pet shops.

We also have representation from manufacturing companies, industry, research, services, and B2C business models. This richness and diversity define a unique model and, at the same time, faithfully reflect the growing reality of the sector, responding to the needs of companies and professionals.

The importance of associations and collaborators

Question: How important is collaboration with professional associations and organizations in organizing the event?

Answer: It's key. We can organize and provide trade fair resources and expertise, but it's the sector associations that set priorities, identify trends, and validate content. Thanks to this collaboration, events such as AMVAC's VetMadrid, a classic reference in the international veterinary congress circuit, or the consolidation over the years of AEDPAC's Industry and Trade Forum, are key points for attracting top-tier visitors.

In addition to these events organized by these associations as co-promoters of the event, active collaboration with other highly relevant entities in the sector, such as CEVE or Veterindustria, ANFAAC, or Vet+i, is essential for adding value in every possible way. This combination of trade fair and sector knowledge is what gives meaning and value to Iberzoo Propet.

Activities that enrich the fair

Question: What strategy will you follow to shape the parallel activities program?

Answer: We want things to always be happening. Parallel activities are an essential part: premiere presentations, debates with leading experts, networking opportunities, and training that ensure each attendee has a complete experience. Our goal is for each exhibitor and visitor to learn, discover, and connect with new ideas and people, to the point that they won't want to miss the next edition.

"We want things to always be happening at Iberzoo Propet: premieres, presentations, new developments, debates, and experiences that will make everyone want to attend"

Innovation and digitalization

Question: What role will innovation and digitalization play in future editions?

Answer: A central role. The petcare market is transforming rapidly, and we want Iberzoo Propet to showcase this transformation, from technology to animal welfare, and internally, to offer new digital solutions from Feria de Madrid that facilitate communication between industry professionals beyond the fair dates. We also want to support national startups, creating an ecosystem where they can grow and connect with major players.

Looking to the future

Question: What message do you want to convey to companies and professionals about the future of Iberzoo Propet?

Answer: We want Iberzoo Propet to continue being the meeting point where opportunities are discovered, bonds are strengthened, and the future of the sector is projected. The success of the fair is the success of the entire sector, and our commitment is to continue working to make each edition even more relevant. With everyone's enthusiasm and participation, I am convinced that IberzooPropet will continue to grow and that in a few years we will see a leap not only in the fair's perception but also in its ability to attract new exhibitors and professional visitors

Personal Questionnaire

Question: Do you have or have you ever had a pet? If so, which one?

Answer: Yes, there have always been pets in my family. This coexistence builds character, teaches responsibility, and provides unconditional affection that goes beyond what we often imagine.

Question: What does this coexistence bring you on a personal and family level?

Answer: It provides balance and quality of life. Animals are part of the home, transmitting calm and companionship and generating routines that help us better organize our time. At the family level, we are also united by the commitment and responsibility we all share in shared care and leisure time that we all enjoy together.

Mobility and pet care: two worlds that collide

Question: You come from the automotive and mobility sectors. As an expert in the field, what parallels do you find between that field and the current reality of pet care?

Answer: My career at IFEMA MADRID was closely linked to automotive trade shows and events, a sector that has undergone profound transformations in recent years. Society has changed, and with it, so have demands.

Today in Spain, we have more than 9 million registered dogs and more than 7 million cats, creating a demographic reality that is impossible to ignore. These animals accompany families in all their routines: they go shopping with them, on vacation, to visit friends and relatives, and are even part of their daily work routines. This new social demand requires adapting regulations, infrastructure, and services. When society changes, industries must adapt quickly.

Regulations, Safety, and a New Industry

Question: Regarding regulations and safety, what advances and challenges do you think remain to be addressed in pet mobility and transportation?

Answer: We are at a turning point. Air transport has incorporated regulations allowing pets to fly with their families; urban public transport, such as buses and subways, is beginning to integrate pets; rail transport is taking significant steps with increasingly clear options, motivated by the push from tour operators, some of which already specifically incorporate pet-friendly policies as an added value for customers traveling to their destination.

Even on roads, where some regulatory gaps persist, the automotive industry and the Directorate General of Traffic itself are making progress on safety proposals. All of this paints a picture of mobility and leisure activities adapting to a society where 49% of Spanish households live with at least one pet, as reflected in the data from the 2nd HAMILTON/AEDPAC Pet Parent Barometer presented at the last edition of Iberzoo Propet.

Question: How does this new mobility impact the petcare industry?

Answer: In response to this new market demand, an entire industry is emerging specializing in products that facilitate mobility and transportation: harnesses, carriers, nets, dividers, and even car models that include elements specifically designed for traveling with pets in their design and marketing.