With still over five months to go before opening its doors to visitors, PATS Telford is set to be a ‘sell out’ event with 91% of stand space already booked.
It will be the first year that PATS takes place at Telford International Centre, and already 141 companies have confirmed they will be exhibiting on Sunday and Monday, September 27-28. With a large exhibition hall offering more floor space than ever before, it promises to be the biggest show in the seven-year history of PATS.
Many UK suppliers have taken the opportunity to increase their stand space to showcase more products than ever before, and a growing number of international companies will be exhibiting at the event.
The switch to Telford is also a great opportunity to attract more international visitors eager to discover innovative new pet products from British companies.
Amanda Sizer Barrett MBE, director general of trade body PetQuip, says: “I’m certain the move to Telford will elevate PATS on the international stage. The whole image of the venue will be good for attracting buyers from abroad and we will be working closely with the PATS team to deliver a growing number of overseas visitors.”
Amanda (left) agrees that travelling to and from the event for international buyers will be far easier than in the past because of the close proximity to Birmingham and Manchester airports.
The importance that exhibitors place on attracting buyers from around the globe is summed up by Ken Seymour, of The Tasty Bone, who says: “What impresses me most about PATS is the noticeable international presence at the show.”
The high demand for stand space for PATS Telford comes on the back of a successful show at Sandown Park last month.
Organiser Annie Foord said: “We’re finding that companies have wanted to book their Telford stands early to avoid disappointment. A number of exhibitors have told us they’ve signed up because of the success of Sandown in March. The feedback we received was tremendous and it just proves the pet industry is right behind the PATS exhibitions.”
One of the biggest successes of previous PATS shows has been the New Product Showcase, which will have an even larger presence in September.
Collarways won an award in the Showcase at Sandown for their Zogoflex Toppl toy, and the company’s Katie Goldsmith admits: “We’ve been bombarded with inquiries ever since, and winning a New Product Award has given the team a real boost. Sandown was a brilliant show and we can’t wait until we do it again at Telford.”
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.
Parking is free at the Telford International Centre, and everyone will receive free tea and coffee, and a free show catalogue.
PATS Telford in September is the only place to see the whole pet industry and all the latest products under one roof, and is designed to cater for both pet retailers and garden centres.
"Without doubt PATS is the best trade event,” says Adam Green, Destination Pet, Higham Ferrers, Northants. “It’s a brilliant place for meeting and networking with manufacturers and area managers, seeing new lines and getting great deals. Bring on Telford!"
And Steve Charman, co-owner of Pets Corner, adds: “A visit to PATS always gives me a good feeling about the trade. It makes me feel happy to be a part of an industry that produces so many good and innovative products. I find the show to be very uplifting.”
The final word goes to garden centre director Ciaran McCready, from Knights GC in Surrey, who comments: “PATS works so well because visitors like me get the chance to see all the latest pet products under one roof.”
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.
