Against the backdrop of an increasingly connected global pet industry, a cross-Eurasian business journey has once again brought different markets closer to one another.
In 2025, China International Pet Show (CIPS) partnered with PET worldwide, a leading German professional media outlet, to launch the Reader Trip campaign. The initiative invited global industry professionals to visit Guangzhou and experience the 29th China International Pet Show in person. Päivi Tiitinen, a professional from the Finnish pet retail chain Petzoo Koulova, was selected as the winner of this campaign and embarked on her memorable CIPS trip.
Päivi TiitinenFrom Petzoo Koulova, Finland (Provided by the interviewee)
As an industry professional with a long-term focus on animal welfare and procurement systems, her observations come not only from that of a visitor, but also from the genuine perspective of a frontline practitioner.
This is your first time visiting Guangzhou and attending CIPS. What is your first impression of the overall experience?
This trip to Guangzhou has completely exceeded my expectations.
The Reader Trip gave me the chance not only to take part in the exhibition, but also to get to know the city as a tourist. From this point of view, Guangzhou struck me as clean, safe and full of vitality, and both the food and accommodation were excellent.
A corner of Guangzhou – first impressions of clean, safe and vibrant (Photo by Päivi)
From the very beginning, this journey was more than just a visit to an exhibition; it was a complete and enriching experience.
From a professional perspective, what gains have you made from this visit?
This visit has also been extremely valuable from a professional standpoint.
I had the opportunity to connect with many interesting companies, industry associations, and most importantly, people. Through these interactions, I not only established new connections but also gained a more concrete understanding of the industry.
Communicating face-to-face with exhibitors is a crucial way to understand products and supply chains. (Photo by Päivi)
In terms of products, I discovered many items that are perfectly suited to our customer base, some of which I had never seen before. Meanwhile, by participating in the information sessions at CIPS, I further expanded my professional knowledge. I especially appreciated the science-based content provided by OFI.
Scene from the 2nd Aquatic Industry Convention, featuring professional sharing on sustainable practices and supply chain transparency. (Photo by Päivi)
How would you rate the scale and organization of the CIPS exhibition itself?
The scale of the exhibition is truly impressive. The number of exhibitors, the range of products on display, and the overall venue space all reflect the stature of a mature international trade show.
The products and designs discovered on-site, from daily supplies to niche specialized categories, demonstrate the abundant supply of the market. (Photo by Päivi)
At the same time, I found the organization very smooth throughout my visit. From the pre-arrangements to the on-site experience, I felt well taken care of, which made the entire trip much more relaxed and efficient.
Were there any moments at the exhibition that left the deepest impression on you?
What impressed me most were actually some small but genuine moments.
For instance, watching aquascaping teams creating underwater landscapes on site, people setting up terrarium environments for reptiles, or observing the judging process at a cat show. These behind-the-scenes details made the whole exhibition more vivid and inspiring.
Those small, behind-the-scenes moments made the entire experience feel real and lively. (Photo by Päivi)
These moments not only showed the professionalism of the industry but also let people feel the real, dynamic workings behind it.
What advice would you give to industry professionals planning to visit CIPS in the future?
My advice is — plan ahead.
Given the large scale of the exhibition, I recommend carefully reviewing the exhibitor list and event schedule before your visit, and creating a tailored plan based on your own goals.
At the same time, leave yourself room to explore and discover unexpected treasures. There are always pleasant surprises at the show, and these are often the most valuable parts of the experience.
How would you recommend CIPS to your industry peers?
If you, like me, work across multiple sectors and aim to continuously grow your business, or if you are looking for new products and sales opportunities, I would highly recommend you attend this exhibition.
For me, it is not only a platform to gather information, but also a place to truly build connections and discover business opportunities.
Souvenirs and memories from CIPS (Photo by Päivi)
From a Visit to a Connection
From Finland to Guangzhou, this journey is not only one that crosses geographical distances, but also a meeting of industry perspectives.
For Päivi, CIPS is more than a product showcase — it is a live experience shaped by people, products and communication. Here, information is not merely seen, but understood; connections are not just made, but gradually nurtured.
And this kind of experience is exactly the value CIPS strives to deliver to participants around the world.
China International Pet Show