Why PATS is a ‘must-visit’ event
“This show always delivers…it’s a brilliant event…a great place for networking…there is so much to see.” These are just some of the many fantastic comments received from visitors to last month’s PATS Sandown.
The two-day pet trade exhibition at Sandown Park in Surrey was hailed as a great success after hundreds of new products were launched during the show.
Now the attention has turned to PATS Telford, which takes place on Sunday and Monday, September 23rd-24th 2018. It’s the ideal event for pet retailers and garden centres to decide what products to stock over the next year.
According to Claire Owens, of Imperial Pets, Chester, if you have an interest in the pet trade, then you have to visit PATS. “I’m always impressed with the PATS shows. I don’t want to miss any opportunities for finding new products. The variety of stands is excellent, and I love the seminars that take place, as well as the New Product Showcase. It’s great to find out which products have won the PATS awards because I can use this information to promote a product in store.”
Claire’s thoughts are echoed by Jenna Tomlins, of award-winning Unique Pets Ltd in Buckinghamshire, who said: “We haven't missed a PATS Sandown since we opened six years ago and we also visit Telford. It’s definitely worth the trip because there is always something new to see. The exhibitions have got a good feel to them, they’re well organised and managed, and there's plenty of parking.”
With still over five months to go before opening its doors to visitors, PATS Telford is set to be another ‘sell out’ event. It will be the fourth time the show has taken place at Telford International Centre, and an impressive number of companies have already confirmed they will be exhibiting.
Regular exhibitors like Beco Pets, Danish Design Pet Products, flexi, Inspired Pet Nutrition, James Wellbeloved, Johnson’s Veterinary Products, Marriages, Natures Menu, PJ Pet Products, Pedigree Wholesale, Royal Canin and Trixie will be joined by a growing number of companies making their first appearance at Telford.
Botanica International successfully exhibited at PATS Sandown for the first time and are now looking forward to Telford. “We got a lot of new business at last month’s show and will potentially achieve a lot more,” said managing director Sean Cooney. “We are looking forward to continuing and developing our relationship with PATS into the future.”
PATS is the UK’s No 1 pet trade show and the only exhibition where the entire industry comes together under one roof.
One of the major successes at PATS shows over the years has been the New Product Showcase, sponsored by pbwnews. Last year at Telford a record number new products – over 300 in total – were on show in the designated area.
As well as seeing an unrivalled array of new pet products and speaking to top suppliers and manufacturers, visitors will also be able to witness demonstrations from the country’s leading dog groomers and listen to talks from prominent industry figures.
Leading trade association PetQuip will again be working with PATS to tempt international pet retail chains and distributors to the Autumn showpiece, and will be hosting the Buyers’ Centre where visitors can sit down and meet prospective new suppliers at the event. PetQuip team members will also be available to provide business services, sourcing advice and arrange introductions to UK pet companies.
The association’s involvement doesn’t end there because it will be staging its prestigious PetQuip Awards after the first day of the exhibition. During an evening when outstanding success in the industry is celebrated, the PATS Telford New Product Awards will also be presented.
Pat Flynn, Trade Association Manager of PetQuip, said: “The PATS events are always well run with lots of excellent exhibitors displaying new and innovative products. It is a pleasure to publicise the shows to our wide database of both international and UK buyers, and this is beneficial for our members who exhibit too. The PetQuip Awards are also an ideal fit alongside an innovations show such as PATS Telford.”
Parking is free at the Telford International Centre, and everyone will receive free tea and coffee, and a free show catalogue.
A full and up-to-date list of exhibitors is available on the website www.patshow.co.uk together with information on how to reach the venue and regularly updated show news.