Digital buyer journeys
What digital buyer journeys means for buyers and exhibitors in this sector.

Zoomark 2027, the 22nd international trade show for pet food and pet care, will be held from May 11-13, 2027 at BolognaFiere in Bologna, Italy.
Dates
11–13 May 2027
City / country
Bologna, Italy
Venue
BolognaFiere
Companies exhibiting at Zoomark include 2BIT SRL, 2GR SRL, 2N Pet Foods International, 360 STORE STUDIO S.R.L. and 4 Healthy Pets NV - Edgard & Cooper.
Event overview
Nel cuore dell’Europa, Zoomark è il punto d'incontro internazionale imprescindibile per i leader del settore pet.
Il luogo ideale in cui generare nuovi rapporti, aggiornarsi e confrontarsi con una platea mondiale interessata e reattiva, alla ricerca di nuovi partner e nuove occasioni di business.
Quale hub globale per il pet food e pet care, Zoomark coinvolge tutti gli attori della filiera produttiva e distributiva in un unico luogo, e con la capacità di generare dialogo e opportunità concrete.
TL;DR
Attendees will benefit from networking opportunities with industry leaders and potential partners. Dates and Venue: Zoomark 2027 takes place from May 11-13, 2027 at BolognaFiere, Bologna, Italy. Buyer Authority: Attendees include independent retailers, mass retail buyers, veterinarians, and importers.
Exhibiting at Zoomark offers unparalleled visibility for producers, distributors, and innovative companies in the pet sector. It provides a platform to connect with global buyers and industry professionals, facilitating valuable partnerships and product launches. Meet qualified buyers and partners including Manufacturers of pet food and treats, Suppliers of pet care products and accessories, Providers of raw materials for pet products. Position your offer across pet food.
Attendees, exhibitors & solutions
Visitor profile
Typical attendee groups you can expect to meet.
Exhibitor profile
Main supplier and exhibitor segments present at the show.
Product categories
Key solution areas showcased across the event.
Location & Facilities
Viale della Fiera, 20, 40128 Bologna BO, Italy
BolognaFiere in Bologna typically provides on-site or adjacent visitor parking during major trade fairs; confirm daily rates, payment methods and hall access on the organiser or venue website before travel.
Food options
On-site catering
On-site diningParking: BolognaFiere in Bologna typically provides on-site or adjacent visitor parking during major trade fairs; confirm daily rates, payment methods and hall access on the organiser or venue website before travel.
Gate: Follow organiser signage to the main visitor entrance at BolognaFiere for badge collection; allow extra time for security screening during peak morning arrival.
Attend
Who runs the show
BolognaFiere Cosmoprof S.p.a.
Intelligence
Key market insights, trends, news and related events to help you understand the bigger picture.
Why it matters
Attending Zoomark on 2027-05-11 to 2027-05-13 in Bologna lets buyers and specifiers benchmark suppliers, see live demonstrations, and compress months of vendor meetings into one focused trade visit — worthwhile when your category roadmap aligns with the official exhibitor profile.
Key trends shaping this market and its wider industry.
Digital buyer journeys
What digital buyer journeys means for buyers and exhibitors in this sector.
Sustainability in procurement
What sustainability in procurement means for buyers and exhibitors in this sector.
Automation and labour efficiency
What automation and labour efficiency means for buyers and exhibitors in this sector.
Regional supply-chain resilience
What regional supply-chain resilience means for buyers and exhibitors in this sector.
Hybrid engagement models
What hybrid engagement models means for buyers and exhibitors in this sector.
Plan your trip

Choose from the following airports, with convenient access to the event and venue.
Bologna Guglielmo Marconi Airport
Closest international airport to the venue; linked to Bologna Centrale station by the Marconi Express monorail, with onward transfer to the fairground. Confirm live schedules before travel.
TBA
to venue
Approx. 15-25 minutes by car or taxi depending on traffic
by car
Florence Airport, Peretola
Alternative gateway for travellers routing through Tuscany; pair with a high-speed train into Bologna Centrale, then transfer to BolognaFiere.
TBA
to venue
By rail via Florence to Bologna, typically around 40-60 minutes on high-speed services from Florence, plus airport-to-station transfer
by car
Venice Marco Polo Airport
Useful long-haul gateway; connect by train to Bologna Centrale and then to the fairground. Confirm current rail times and fares.
TBA
to venue
High-speed rail from Venice to Bologna typically around 1.5-2 hours, plus airport transfer
by car
Milan Malpensa Airport
Major long-haul hub; travellers often take the Malpensa Express into Milan and a high-speed train to Bologna, then transfer to BolognaFiere.
TBA
to venue
Rail via Milan to Bologna typically around 2-2.5 hours in total, plus airport-to-station transfer
by car
A range of accommodation options near the venue and across key areas.
USD 90–140 / night
B&B and small guesthouses near BolognaFiere; book early for trade-fair week and confirm minimum-stay and cancellation terms directly. Confirm before travel.
USD 170–260 / night
3- to 4-star hotels within walking or short transit distance of the fairground; trade-fair rates often apply. Confirm before travel.
USD 300–480 / night
4- to 5-star and design hotels; quietest and most convenient options near the venue or in the centre. Confirm before travel.
Get around the city with these convenient transport options.
Monorail + transfer
Fastest airport-to-city link; transfer to BolognaFiere by bus, tram, or the Fiera rail halt. Confirm current schedules and event-day services before travel.
Train
The Bologna Fiera halt serves the fairground district on the local rail line toward Portomaggiore. Check current timetables and event-day services before travel.
Taxi / rideshare
Metered taxis and app ride-hailing operate in Bologna; allow extra time on busy trade-fair mornings. Typical journey 15–25 minutes depending on traffic. Confirm before travel.
Taxi / rideshare
Useful for late arrivals or heavy bags; confirm surge pricing during trade-fair week. Confirm before travel.
Bus
Local TPER bus routes connect the city centre with the fairground; check current lines and event-day frequency before travel.
Parking
On-site parking is available for visitors and exhibitors; check which car park serves your hall and whether pre-booking is offered. Confirm before travel.
taxi
By rail via Florence to Bologna, typically around 40-60 minutes on high-speed services from Florence, plus airport-to-station transfer; Alternative gateway for travellers routing through Tuscany; pair with a high-speed train into Bologna Centrale, then transfer to BolognaFiere.
taxi
High-speed rail from Venice to Bologna typically around 1.5-2 hours, plus airport transfer; Useful long-haul gateway; connect by train to Bologna Centrale and then to the fairground. Confirm current rail times and fares.
Weather
Mid-May in Bologna is late spring: expect warm, mostly pleasant days with highs commonly around 22-26 C and overnight lows around 12-15 C, but also changeable weather. May is one of the wetter months in the Po Valley, with roughly 8-10 rain days and around 60-70 mm of rain across the month, often arriving as short afternoon showers or thunderstorms. Indoors at BolognaFiere the halls are covered, so the main weather impact is on your journey to and from the venue and on any evening plans in the city. These are climatological bands rather than a firm forecast; confirm the live forecast for 11-13 May 2027 before you travel.
Plan for the climate
Check temperatures and pack accordingly
Venue connectivity
Confirm mobile roaming or local SIM options for business visitors to Italy.
Ride-hailing
Taxis
Public transit
Car rentals
Useful information to help you have a smooth and respectful visit.
Language and greetings
Italian is the everyday language, though most trade-fair staff and exhibitors speak English. A simple buongiorno (good morning) or buonasera (good evening) is appreciated, and a handshake is the standard business greeting.
Business etiquette
Italian business culture values relationship-building, so expect a warm but somewhat formal first meeting. Exchange business cards, use titles where known, and remember that punctuality is expected at the fairground even if social occasions run later.
Coffee and dining
Coffee is usually drunk standing at the bar and is quick rather than a sit-down affair. Lunch is often later than in northern Europe, and an evening aperitivo in central Bologna is a common way to continue conversations after the halls close.
Tipping
Service is generally included in restaurant bills, and a small additional tip or rounding up is optional. Tipping taxi drivers modestly is normal but not obligatory.
Local atmosphere
Bologna is a university city known for its porticoes, food markets, and lively historic centre, all within reach of BolognaFiere. Trade-fair week is busy, so book restaurant tables in the centre ahead if you plan group dinners.
Practical guides
Everything needed to arrive prepared, navigate the event, and make the visit productive.
Destination: BLQ
Compare flights to the nearest international gateway serving Bologna; confirm ground transport on the organiser site.
Find a stay near the venue with options for every budget.
Areas to stay
Bologna city centre / Fiera district · BolognaFiere / Fiera district · San Donato / Fiera district
budget
EUR 90-140/night
mid range
EUR 170-260/night
premium
EUR 300-480/night
Get to the venue and around the city with these options.
Airport → venue: Primary gateways: Bologna Guglielmo Marconi Airport (BLQ): Approx. 15-25 minutes by car or taxi depending on traffic; Florence Airport, Peretola (FLR): By rail via Florence to Bologna, typically around 40-60 minutes on high-speed services from Florence, plus airport-to-station transfer; Venice Marco Polo Airport (VCE): High-speed rail from Venice to Bologna typically around 1.5-2 hours, plus airport transfer; Milan Malpensa Airport (MXP): Rail via Milan to Bologna typically around 2-2.5 hours in
Hotel → venue: Precinct hotels near BolognaFiere: San Donato / Fiera district: San Donato / Fiera district; BolognaFiere / Fiera district: BolognaFiere / Fiera district; Bologna city centre / Fiera district: Bologna city centre / Fiera district.
Ride-hail: Ride-hailing apps are commonly used in Bologna; confirm local availability before travel.
Public transit: BolognaFiere has a dedicated rail halt, Bologna Fiera, on the local line toward Portomaggiore, and the fairground is also served by city bus routes from central Bologna. From Bologna Guglielmo Marconi Airport (BLQ), the Marconi Express monorail reaches Bologna Centrale station in about seven minutes, from where you continue to the venue by train, bus, or taxi. Single-journey local fares are typically a few euros, with airport monorail tickets higher; confirm current lines, timetables, and event-day services on the operator site before travel.
Parking: On-site parking is available at BolognaFiere; confirm daily rates and hall access on the organiser or venue site.
Plan and pack for the event climate.
Month: May 2027
Temperature: Approx. 22-26 C daytime highs and 12-15 C overnight lows in mid-May in Bologna, based on typical seasonal bands. Confirm the live forecast for 11-13 May 2027 before travel.
Seasonality: May sits in Bologna's wetter spring stretch, with roughly 8-10 rain days and around 60-70 mm of rain across the month. Expect a mix of warm sunny spells and short, sometimes thundery showers, so plan some indoor hall time and keep a compact umbrella handy.
Packing: Pack light layers for warm days and cooler evenings, a light waterproof jacket or compact umbrella for spring showers, and comfortable walking shoes for long hours on hard hall floors. Bring a European Type F/L plug adapter, a refillable water bottle, charging cables for stand demos, and plenty of business cards for badge and supplier meetings at BolognaFiere.
Plan your trip
Best day for qualified buyer meetings: Day 2 (mid-show)
Mid-show days at Zoomark usually combine full exhibitor attendance with scheduled B2B meetings, before early pack-down on the final day.
Zoomark registration concourse
BolognaFiere
Central meeting point before and between hall appointments during show days.
Organiser B2B lounge (if offered)
BolognaFiere
Hosted matchmaking and buyer programmes when published by the organiser.
Budget

Adjust the inputs below to create a directional event budget.
This is a directional estimate. Please verify live rates before booking.
Decision
Use this quick check to decide whether Zoomark fits your visit, exhibit or skip plan.
QUESTION 1 OF 6
What is your primary role?
Compare participation options side by side to choose the best fit for your objectives.
visit
Your category focus aligns with the official product themes.
Best for
Buyers, researchers, and delegates evaluating the programme and networking value.
Min. budget
$400.00
Timeline
4–8 weeks before opening day for registration and travel.
Risks
Limited session times published — confirm agenda before booking.
exhibit
You have a clear lead-generation or launch goal for this market.
Best for
Suppliers and brands seeking qualified meetings with the event audience.
Min. budget
$2,500.00
Timeline
3–6 months for stand booking, freight, and marketing prep.
Risks
Booth pricing not published in captured sources — confirm with organiser.
skip
Programme, audience, or commercial goals do not match your plan.
Best for
Teams whose category or region fit is weak this edition.
Timeline
N/A
Risks
No major risks listed.
FAQs & glossary
Frequently asked
Glossary
Also known as
Alternate names and search phrases for this event.
10 more alternate names hidden
Display a free company card at your booth, or share your professional card on the show floor.