PATS Sandown has secured a strong line-up of speakers for two days of seminars designed to give pet retailers ahead-of-the-game ideas on new lines, new approaches and new profit potential.
The talks, produced in association with Pedigree Wholesale, will take place in the Seminar Theatre in Esher Hall of Sandown Park on both days of the show – Tuesday and Wednesday, March 18-19.
The free-to-attend series of seminars will cover topics including driving sales in the small animal category; catering for the different needs and nutrition of neutered cats; how the world's best marketing minds can help your store; getting more online visitors; and understanding your shoppers.
There will also be a chance to earn Continuing Professional Development (CPD) points for those people attending a special seminar by animal healthcare specialists Merial. The CPD points will go towards the ongoing development of Suitably Qualified People (SQP) working in the pet industry.
Guy Blaskey, from Pooch and Mutt, has given talks at PATS for the past three years and he says: “At every show the audience seems to be full of people who are really interested in pushing their businesses forward and learning about modern marketing techniques.
“I always get some very interesting questions at the end of the talk and people often follow up with queries via email, twitter or facebook.”
At PATS Sandown next March, Guy will attempt to explain how the world's best marketing minds can help independent retailers. The content of his seminar will include a summary of thoughts from the books and talks of great thinkers.
“One of the easiest ways to discover new ideas that could help boost your business is to attend the free seminars at PATS,” said organiser Annie Dyke.
“If there’s a subject that catches your eye then make a mental note of the time or write it down in your diary so you don’t miss it.
“Most seminars last half-an-hour so there’s no time to become bored. In fact, because of the time limit, there’s a lot of information packed into such a short session and often it’s a good idea to take notes or write down bullet points. Usually, the speaker will take questions at the end of the talk.”
PATS is delighted that Dr Roger Mugford from the Company of Animals has agreed to give a seminar at Sandown. Well respected in the industry, Dr Mugford is a psychologist and farmer who introduced the concept of behavioural therapy to the veterinary profession by founding The Animal Behaviour Centre in 1979.
Hill’s Pet Nutrition Education Specialist Fiona Marjoram will also be giving a talk – ‘The different needs and nutrition of neutered cats’ – on both days of the show.
With 1.7million rabbits now owned across the UK, the small animal category represents a great opportunity to drive incremental sales across a range of products. Justin Heaton, from Burgess Petcare, will reveal how retailers can lead the market with their small animal offering.
Understanding your shoppers is becoming increasingly important in today’s complex marketplace, and it’s a subject that will be tackled during the seminar programme on both days by an expert from Mars Petcare UK.
And David Mackley, of Intelligent Retail, will be discussing ways to get more online visitors by using the latest Google changes to your advantage.
As well as this free programme of seminars there will be so much more to see on the exhibitor stands packing the Surrey and Esher Halls. Visitors are now being urged to register for free show entry by going online at www.patshow.co.uk. Other benefits include free parking, free catalogue, dog grooming demonstrations and many special offers.
To help keep visitors refreshed during their visit they’ll be offered a free cup of tea or coffee, and for those arriving before 10am they’ll receive a breakfast voucher, which is redeemable in the Esher Hall catering points.
The PATS hotline is +44 (0)1892 862848, and companies wishing to exhibit should call Annie Dyke on the same number.
