CIPS marks 30 years of industry evolution

The 30th China International Pet Show (CIPS) will return to Guangzhou from 12 to 15 November, with organisers positioning the milestone event as a reflection of how the global pet industry has evolved over the past three decades.

While the exhibition remains one of the world’s largest pet industry trade shows, organisers say the focus has shifted beyond scale, with greater emphasis on supplier capabilities, innovation, sustainability and long-term business partnerships.

CIPS 2026 will span 120,000sqm and feature more than 1,400 exhibitors alongside over 80,000 professional visitors from more than 120 countries and regions.

More than 80 per cent of exhibitors, including Wanpy, Petstar, COLLAR, Ethical Products, EHEIM and Tetra, are expected to have integrated design, research and development, and manufacturing capabilities, reflecting growing demand from buyers for suppliers that can offer flexibility alongside production capacity.

The event will also feature more than 40 conferences, competitions, showcases and industry events designed to provide market insights alongside product discovery.

Among the highlights is the second CIPS International Pet Industry Convention (CIPIC), taking place on 11 November under the theme ‘Renewal: Toward Shared Growth’. The executive-level meeting will bring together senior decision-makers from across the global pet supply chain to discuss changing supply chains, collaboration between brands, manufacturers and retail channels, and the partnerships shaping future industry growth.

The aquarium sector will also take centre stage through the third Aquatic Industry Convention, co-organised with Ornamental Fish International (OFI). Held under the theme ‘Transforming the Aquarium Industry: Data, Technology and Retail Innovation,’ the program will explore topics including global trade, AI-driven aquaculture, emerging markets, social media-led demand and omnichannel retailing. The convention will also host the OFI Global Aquarium Retail Awards.

Innovation and sustainability remain key pillars of this year’s event.

The CIPS Innovation Award has been expanded with a more structured evaluation process across both pet and aquarium categories, while the NEWⁿ New Product Showcase Zone will highlight products demonstrating technical improvement, practical value and commercial relevance.

Meanwhile, the fourth ‘Green Paw Prints, Love For Earth’ initiative will showcase exhibitors focused on responsible sourcing, carbon reduction, eco-friendly materials and waste reduction. Since launching in 2023, participation has increased more than fivefold, with overseas exhibitors joining the program for the first time in 2025.

As CIPS reaches its 30th edition, organisers say the event’s role has expanded beyond showcasing products to providing a platform where sourcing, market intelligence and industry collaboration come together to support the future direction of the global pet industry.