More overseas buyers expected at PATS Telford
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PATS Telford in September is set to have a strong international presence with a growing number of overseas pet buyers expected to attend the autumn showpiece.
The PATS team had a stand at the recent Interzoo show and huge interest was shown in the UK’s No 1 pet trade exhibition.
Organiser Gordon Thomas has been exhibiting at Interzoo since 2010 and interest in PATS has grown significantly with each visit.
“We were primarily there to raise the awareness of PATS internationally and to encourage large European retailers and distributors to visit and of course do business with our exhibitors who are interested in exporting,” said Gordon. “We will have over 180 exhibitors at PATS Telford, and 81% of them are exporters.
“Buyers from many European countries showed real interest in visiting our show in September,” said Gordon. “On our Interzoo stand we had visitors from the Netherlands, Germany, Norway, Belgium, Italy, Poland, Lithuania, Estonia, Switzerland, Croatia, France and Hungary, and there were even enquiries from Indonesia, Egypt, China, Jordan and the USA.
“UK pet products are very popular and representatives from international pet companies could see the advantage of meeting up with British suppliers under one roof.
“They agreed that PATS is the perfect venue to discover what’s new in the market for the year ahead, and an ideal opportunity to talk to UK-based manufacturers and suppliers.”
With its proximity to both Birmingham and Manchester airports, Telford International Centre – the home of PATS in September – is an ideal location for international visitors.
 PATS organises a package for International visitors that includes an invitation to the PetQuip Awards dinner on the evening of Sunday, September 25th. At the show itself there will be an International Business Centre, where visitors from overseas will be able to hold meetings with UK suppliers. PetQuip team members will also be available to provide business services, sourcing advice and arrange introductions to UK pet companies.
PATS Telford is already shaping up to be one of the most successful events in the show’s eight-year history.
Amanda Sizer Barrett MBE, director general of PetQuip, said: “Last year at PATS Telford there was a tremendous amount of interest from our overseas buyers. We know from their feedback that they are finding products that are very different from elsewhere. PATS is a very exciting place for them to be, and I believe this year’s show will be even better.”
Beco Pets have increased their stand space following a successful show last year, and co-founder George Bramble commented: “We were blown away by the number and quality of customers on our stand at PATS Telford in 2015, and also by the high quality of international buyers.”
Federica Gabasio, from Italy, and Lucas Lengyel, of the Czech Republic, visited PATS Telford last year and both agreed it was well worth the time and effort.
"PATS Telford provides a good overview of the British market. The trade show was well organised, and we felt very welcome," said Federica, while Lucas commented: "The organisation was excellent. There were signs everywhere. The welcome was also good, everyone was smiling and happy to see us.”
PATS Telford is taking place on September 25-26 and more information can be found at www.patshow.co.uk
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