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New chairwoman of Interzoo Advisory Committee

Interzoo Newsroom

12 September 2019

New chairwoman of Interzoo Advisory Committee

Katharina Engling is the new chairwoman of the Interzoo Advisory Committee. She succeeds Hans-Jochen Büngener, who is passing on the baton after 31 years of service.

“Interzoo is the world’s leading international trade fair for pet supplies. Naturally, the objective of all stakeholders is to ensure that we continue to play this role in the future”, says the new chairwoman of the Interzoo Advisory Committee, Katharina Engling. This involves sharing and discussing different perspectives, experiences and ideas and putting them into practice to make sure that Interzoo continues to thrive. Having previously served on the Advisory Committee, the 47-year-old has now been appointed chairwoman by the Board of the ZZF (German Pet Trade and Industry Association), the honorary sponsor of Interzoo. “We are delighted that Ms Engling has taken on this role. As a long-standing senior executive at pet food company Bunny Tierernährung, she is an absolute expert on our industry nationally and internationally”, says ZZF President Norbert Holthenrich. “She also brings a lot of experience in trade fair work with her, not just as an exhibitor at Interzoo, but also in the B2B and B2C segments.”

Bitten by the “Interzoo bug” since 1994

Katharina Engling has carrying the flag for small mammals for 25 years. As a senior executive at Bunny Tierernährung GmbH she is responsible for marketing and R&D. “I have more or less had the ‘Interzoo bug’ since 1994.” That was when I started in the industry that immediately captivated me”, she recalls. “Interzoo brings together representatives of the pet sector from all over the world.” It provides a platform for professional dialogue and a showcase for the latest innovations and visions. “Every two years it is the highlight of the pet industry calendar for exhibitors and trade visitors alike. You simply cannot miss it!” says Engling. She considers it a personal honour to be part of the continuing development of Interzoo.

Trade fair advisory committee gets Interzoo customers on board

The Advisory Committee, consisting of Interzoo exhibitors and trade visitors, supports the full-time staff of Interzoo organizer WZF (Wirtschaftsgemeinschaft Zoologischer Fachbetriebe GmbH) with the strategic planning and ongoing development of the event. The committee facilitates discussions between WZF and industry experts on important topics associated with the trade fair, such as the challenges facing the pet industry and new ideas for Interzoo. “From the very outset, WZF felt it was important to get our customers involved”, says WZF Managing Director Alexandra Facklamm. “This means that we maintain a constant dialogue with our target group. Because only if we know what matters to our customers can we make improvements in this dynamic market. This means that we are organising Interzoo not just for but with the pet industry,” she says.

Thanks extended to acting director

Alongside Katharina Engling the Interzoo Advisory Committee includes the following members: Roland Böhme, JBL GmbH & Co. KG; Annette Burda, Burda’s Tierwelt GmbH; Stephan Fumy, Zoofachhandel Fumy GmbH; Lars Larsen, Juwel-Aquarium GmbH & Co. KG; Jörg Lefers, Allco Heimtierbedarf GmbH & Co. KG; Axel Pinders, Dohse Aquaristik GmbH & Co. KG and Nadine Trautwein, Hunter International GmbH.

ZZF President Norbert Holthenrich took the occasion of Katharina Engling’s appointment to thank Dr Rowena Arzt, Director Exhibitions at WZF, for her additional commitment to the work of the Advisory Committee. Following the departure of Hans-Jochen Büngener she had successfully headed the committee as temporary chairwoman until the appointment of a new representative from the industry.