With still over five months to go before opening its doors to visitors, PATS Harrogate is set to be another ‘sell out’ event with 86% of stand space already booked.

It will be the third successive year that PATS Harrogate takes place on a Sunday and Monday in September, and already 122 exhibitors have confirmed they will be attending.

Organiser Annie Dyke said: “This year we’re finding that companies have wanted to book their Harrogate stands early to avoid disappointment. A number of exhibitors have told us they’ve signed up because of the success they had at Sandown in March. The feedback we received was tremendous and it just proves the pet industry is right behind the PATS exhibitions.”

The feeling of optimism in the pet trade is summed up by Catrina Evans for Dog Rocks, who says: “There was a real buzz throughout the exhibition halls at Sandown. PATS is THE place to meet retailers, who are my bread and butter. I love meeting and speaking to them, and this is the best show to do that. I know it’s five months away but I can’t wait for Harrogate.”

And for Suzanne Rothman of Pet Munchies, the response she gets from visitors to PATS gets better with every show. “This year’s Sandown exceeded all my expectations. If that trend continues at Harrogate in September, then I will be very happy,” she says.

Meanwhile Charlotte Nash, of Precious Pets London, admits: “PATS has been fantastic for building awareness of our brand and for establishing new business relationships. We couldn't have asked for more from the show or its organisers, and we’re confident that will continue at Harrogate.”

An increasing number of companies are recognising PATS as an essential place to showcase their product ranges and services, and the Harrogate showpiece will see a host of new exhibitors.

Bartholomews Agri Food Ltd will join other newcomers Silver Pet Prints, Countryside Products, Scanbio Marine and AmPet Products at PATS Harrogate on September 14-15.

“Bartholomews are looking forward to exhibiting at PATS this year because it’s an ideal opportunity to meet customers old and new,” said Michelle Baker. “We will be showing our established range of ‘Colonels’ Bird Food and are also excited to be launching our new Pre Packed Wild Bird Food.”

Silver Pet Prints, a company which enables owners to capture their pets’ paw prints in fine silver, will use the Harrogate show to introduce their products to pet retailers and vets. “We learned about PATS by reputation because a few people said it was a really good show. So we felt it was the ideal opportunity to showcase our services there,” explains the company’s Amy Hobson.

The Sunday opening day has also become a firm favourite with exhibitors, and Colin Rodger from Bern Pet Food says: “For many independent retailers it is the only day they can get away to visit a show. And the September date gives us a great advantage – the opportunity to launch new products during the autumn. Last year some of our southern customers travelled to Harrogate especially to see us for that reason, as well as many retailers from the north of England.”

Last year’s PATS Harrogate attracted 1,969 visitors, which was an 8.6% increase on the 2012 show.

PATS Harrogate will also be full of popular visitor features, including the New Products Showcase and Awards, a full programme of free seminars, and the Grooming Workshop.

For more information visit www.patshow.co.uk