Over 140 exhibitors will be showcasing thousands of products and offering great deals to visitors of PATS Sandown, which opens its doors on Tuesday next week.
All stand space sold out months before the show, and visitors to Sandown Park Exhibition Centre in Esher, Surrey, on Tuesday and Wednesday can expect a warm welcome from exhibitors eager to showcase their products to retailers and overseas distributors.
Organiser Annie Foord said a lot of time and effort had gone in to making sure the visitor experience is better than ever this year.
“We’re always striving to make PATS even better so we seek the view of exhibitors, retailers and buyers to find out how the show can be improved. Visitors will certainly notice a few changes to the show this year.
“For instance, we have extended the amount of seating areas to include the Beco Buyers’ Lounge and the Exhibitors’ Lounge so that people can relax in comfort or have a meeting.
“There will also be a wider range of food available from all the various outlets and all our visitors will receive a free cup of tea or coffee voucher, which will be redeemable all day. Those arriving before 10am will also get a free breakfast voucher. Afternoon will also be available in the Beco Buyers’ Lounge.
“These subtle changes have been made so that visitors can concentrate fully on the main business of the day – seeing top-class products from the biggest range of suppliers and manufacturers…all under one roof.”
As well as meeting up with a long list of PATS regulars, visitors will be greeted by a host of new faces and new products. A growing number of companies are choosing to exhibit for the first time as they see PATS as the perfect opportunity to announce their plans for the year ahead.
The New Products Showcase is a great way for visitors to see and touch the new products they will be stocking. In previous years more than 200 new items have been entered into the Showcase so it is the best place to view potential bestsellers. All items entered by manufacturers will be put forward for the New Products Awards judged by a panel of pet retailers.
And a free-to-attend series of seminars will cover topics including: retailing RAW pet foods; using social media to build a loyal customer base; 20 business tips in 20 minutes; getting more online visitors to your website; and what customers are saying about your pet business online. There is also a chance to earn Continuing Professional Development (CPD) points for those people attending a special seminar by animal healthcare specialists Merial.
Other PATS features aimed include free entry, free catalogue and free parking, and visitors are now being urged to register online at a new and improved PATS website www.patshow.co.uk.
A full and up-to-date list of exhibitors is available on the website together with information on how to reach both venues, hotels in each area and regularly updated show news.
Opening times
- Tuesday 17th March: 9.00am-5.00pm
- Wednesday 18th March: 9.00am-4.00pm
