Thirty years after its launch, the China International Pet Show (CIPS) finds itself serving a very different market from the one it first knew in 1997. Supply chains have become more complex, innovation cycles have accelerated, and buyers are placing greater emphasis on flexibility, product development capability and long-term partnerships.

Against this backdrop, the 30th edition of CIPS offers an opportunity to look beyond scale and examine how sourcing strategies, technological development and professional communities are evolving across the global pet industry.

Trade First: Bringing the Right Connections Together

CIPS 2026 is expected to bring together 1,400+ exhibitors and 80,000+ professional visitors from 120+ countries and regions across 120,000 square metres. With more than 80% of exhibitors combining design, R&D and manufacturing capabilities, the show brings a broad range of supply capabilities together with sourcing demand from markets around the world.

As that network grows, the focus is not simply on bringing more companies together, but on helping the right ones find each other. The new CIPS B2B Matchmaking Programme allows buyers to submit specific sourcing needs in advance, with relevant exhibitors identified and 30-minute one-on-one meetings arranged during the show.

International buyer participation is also expanding through visiting delegations organized with industry associations in key markets. Delegations from the United Kingdom, Thailand, Russia and Vietnam are already confirmed for CIPS 2026, bringing more buyers and industry professionals from these markets to Guangzhou for sourcing and industry exchange.

More Than a Show Floor

More than 30 conferences, competitions and industry activities will take place alongside the exhibition, highlighting the increasingly close relationship between commerce, knowledge and community.

At the strategic level,  the 2nd CIPS International Pet Industry Convention (CIPIC) will focus on the forces shaping the future of the global pet business, from supply chain resilience and changing consumer behaviour to artificial intelligence and sustainability. Within the aquarium sector, The 3rd Aquatic Industry Convention, organised in partnership with Ornamental Fish International (OFI), will explore technological innovation, data-driven decision-making and retail transformation.

Professional skills and enthusiast communities will form another important part of the programme. From pet grooming and aquascaping to ornamental fish, small pets and exotic animals, competitions, demonstrations and community activities will bring together professionals and enthusiasts from around the world, reflecting the increasingly diverse communities that shape today's pet industry.

Innovation Beyond Novelty

Innovation continues to be one of the main reasons buyers attend international trade fairs, but the criteria used to evaluate new products are becoming increasingly diverse.

Within the product sector, the upgraded CIPS Innovation Award and the NEWⁿ Product Showcase Zone will place greater emphasis on technical development, practical application and commercial potential, helping buyers navigate a growing number of product launches across categories ranging from nutrition and hygiene to aquatics, smart devices and packaging.

Sustainability will remain another area of focus. Returning for its fourth year, the “Green Paw Prints, Love for Earth” initiative will once again highlight companies working in areas such as recyclable materials, responsible sourcing and lower-impact production methods while recognising a new group of "Green Pioneers".

Thirty Years On

Thirty years after its launch, CIPS continues to evolve alongside an industry that has become increasingly global, specialised and interconnected. While much has changed since 1997, its role as a place for businesses, ideas and communities to connect remains much the same.

This November, the 30th edition will also mark the milestone through a series of 30th anniversary activities, bringing together the people, partnerships and moments that have been part of the CIPS journey over the past three decades.

Thirty years on and two months out, CIPS 2026 is moving closer — bringing three decades of connections into its next edition in Guangzhou.

Explore CIPS at 30: Discover the special activities marking CIPS' 30th anniversary → https://en.cipscom.com/ShowNews/25651.htm