The Pet Industry Federation has announced the sponsors for its Forum & Awards event on October 17-18 at Chesford Grange Hotel, Kenilworth. The lead sponsors are confirmed as Crown Petfoods, Mars Petcare, Nestlé Purina and Positive Petcare.

Andy Reed, Royal Canin Sales & Marketing Director, said: "We are committed to securing the future of the UK pet industry for the benefit of everyone involved. There is so much more that pet specialists can achieve, and this Forum and the Awards are one way of ensuring the industry continues to grow."

Mars Petcare said: ‘Mars Petcare UK are excited to be a lead sponsor for the Pet Industry Forum and Awards event. Supporting the Pet Industry Forum this year is an example of the high regard we hold for our trade partners, who work with us tirelessly to showcase Mars Petcare brands to the consumer. Support from our partners on upcoming projects such as the Pedigree Feeding Brighter Futures campaign, which aims to feed one million meals to dogs in rescue homes nationwide, means together we work hard to build a better world and future for pets. What we take from the event will help us to continually improve our service and working relationships with our trade partners in the pet industry’.

James Titmuss, Retail Sales Director Specialist, Nestlé Purina added: “Nestlé Purina is delighted to sponsor this year’s Pet Industry Federation Forum and Awards. Our involvement reflects our unwavering commitment to the Specialist channel where we continue to focus significant resources and investment. Given the current market environment, it is important we spend time together to consider the future of the channel. Improving our ability to win together in the market will be critical to ensuring long term, sustainable success for the industry.”

And Holly Jordan, spokesperson for Positive Petcare said: ‘Positive Petcare are excited to be a lead sponsor at the Pet Industry Forum & Awards in October, 2013. A newcomer in the UK, we offer a range of revolutionary products and are committed to excellence in both production and service. We support the PIF and share the ethos of delivering the highest standards of animal welfare and customer care.’

Sponsors for the Pet Industry Awards have been confirmed as Burgess Petcare (pre-dinner drinks reception); Pedigree Wholesale (table wine during the Awards dinner); Beaphar UK (Retailer of the Year category sponsor); PATS (Manufacturer of the Year category sponsor) and Compton Hall (entertainment sponsor). The event’s media sponsor is pbwnews.

Steve Fowler, MD of PamPurred Pets and PIF Event Committee Chairman said: ‘We are very grateful to all those companies who have agreed to sponsor this year’s Pet Industry Forum & Awards, without whom this event would not be possible. They have lent their support to the Forum & Awards event in recognition of its aims to strengthen links, raise standards and celebrate success in the industry’.

Further details about the event, including ticket prices and how to enter your business into the Pet Industry Awards are available from www.piffa.co.uk.

All the lead sponsor packages have now been sold, and there are just a few remaining sponsorship packages. Interested businesses are encouraged to contact alexandra.baker@petfederation.co.uk on 01234 273933 as soon as possible for further information.