The Pet Industry Federation is hosting a ‘Meet the Buyer’ afternoon on Monday, November 16, at the Crowne Plaza Hotel, Liverpool - a fitting opener to its renowned Pet Industry Forum & Awards event, which will run from Tuesday to Wednesday, November 17-18.

PIF has invited more than 12 UK and European Buyers to meet up to 50 manufacturers from both the UK and overseas. Manufacturers/suppliers will have the chance to present their products to each of the top buyers attending.  Unlike other ‘Meet the Buyer’ opportunities, PIF’s event will enable each manufacturer to have a table and roller banner, and buyers will visit manufacturers for a five minute presentation.

“As this week is UKTI’s Export Week, we felt this was a great time to let the UK pet industry know further details of our forthcoming ‘Meet the Buyer’ event”, said PIF’s CEO Nigel Baker. He continued: “Meet the Buyer’ will offer the perfect opportunity for companies that are new to export to test the waters and speak to prospective buyers in a relaxed and friendly environment. In the evening, PIF will host a networking dinner at which the buyer/manufacturer conversations can continue.”

PIF has organised this event to introduce manufacturers to overseas buyers and to aid UK exports, as well as to help both UK and overseas manufacturers reach UK buyers.

The following retailers and distributors have so far agreed to attend:

• New Global Pet (Spain/Portugal)
• Musti ja Mirri (Finland/Sweden)
• Dobey/Faunaland (Holland)
• Petouch (Greece)
• Iris (Slovenia)
• Pets Corner (GB)
• Pedigree Wholesale (GB)
• Just for Pets (GB)
• Pets at Home (GB)
• PamPurred Pets (GB)

An additional dimension to the event will be the ‘Best Product Awards’. During the course of the afternoon, buyers will nominate their top products, with the winners announced at the black-tie Pet Industry Awards dinner the following evening – Tuesday 17 November.

Members of PIF and its trade associations will be given preference to attend the event. Manufacturers and suppliers wishing to attend should email: alexandra.baker@petfederation.co.uk or telephone 01234 273 933. Tickets to attend start at £250 per manufacturer and online booking is available. For further information on both the Forum & Awards and the ‘Meet the Buyer’ event, as well as to book places, visit: www.petfederation.co.uk