Manufacturers and suppliers in the pet industry have given PATS Telford a massive ‘thumbs-up’ after attending a special exhibitor event at the venue.

PATS organisers Impact Exhibitions invited representatives of the pet trade to a tour of Telford International Centre to see for themselves the superb facilities on offer, and hear more about next year’s show taking place on Sunday, September 27, and Monday, September 28, 2015.

More than 50 guests heard the centre’s owners Southwater Event Group describe how the venue had developed into one of the country’s major exhibition locations.

Tom Gray (pictured left), chief executive of Southwater Event Group, said: “Bringing the PATS exhibition to Telford is fantastic news not only for our venue but for the destination as a whole, and we were thrilled to host the PATS exhibitor day to showcase the venue on behalf of the organising team. 

“We were also able to showcase the new Southwater Square, an events village on our doorstep, with a new hotel, restaurants, and one of the UK’s largest town-centre parks, all available for visitors to make the most of their stay, and we’re confident visitors to PATS will be equally impressed.”

Following a tour of the venue and a chance to see the centre’s excellent facilities, guests were quick to acknowledge that Telford International Centre was a perfect choice for the PATS exhibition next September.

They were impressed by the easy access for build-up and breakdown, and the amount of free parking for exhibitors and visitors next to the venue.

The wide range of accommodation to suit all budgets was another important feature in their eyes. Three hotels on site offer a total of 338 bedrooms, with a further 325 bedrooms available within a five-minute walk and 1,000 just a 15-minute drive away.

“This place has the wow factor,” said Ken Seymour, of Tasty Bone, who has already booked to exhibit at PATS Telford. “It’s modern, clean and tidy, and I think it will be a fantastic venue for the show. It will certainly provide a great experience for visitors.”

David Timperley, of Scruffs, admitted he was sceptical about the move to Telford but the exhibitor day had convinced him that it was the right decision. “I’m pleasantly surprised by what I’ve seen on this visit. It’s easy for people to get to, it’s an impressive centre and there is a friendly atmosphere.”

After a tour of the venue, Anthony Smallman, of Natural Instinct, was convinced enough to book a stand. “The exhibition hall is very impressive. It looks fantastic and I like the fact that PATS will be housed within one big area, making the flow of visitors much better. I’m really excited…roll on September.”

Northumberland-based Profleece also booked a stand on the strength of the visit to Telford, with Bob Foster saying: “This exhibition centre sends out the right message. I’m really impressed with the place. It is just what this show needed.”

Rachael Dickinson, from Westland Horticulture, said: “It has been good to get a feel for the venue and I’m impressed with the whole picture,” while Clive Reavell, of Bamfords Top Flight, admitted: “There is a great atmosphere around this place. It’s a first-class exhibition centre.”

Telford International Centre also got the seal of approval from the pet industry’s leading trade organisations.

“Telford looks set to be a great venue for PATS, with plenty of space and improved accessibility for exhibitors,” said Lisa Pawsey, of the Pet Industry Federation. “The facilities – venue, hotel, restaurants – are all in one place and there are good transport connections. We’re really pleased to be involved in the plans for 2015 and we look forward to welcoming visitors to the Pet Industry Federation stand.”

Amanda Sizer Barrett MBE, director general of PetQuip, commented: “I’m very impressed, and I’m certain the move will elevate PATS on the international stage. The whole image of the venue will be good for attracting buyers from abroad and we will be working closely with the PATS team to deliver a growing number of overseas visitors.”

Amanda agreed that travelling to and from the event for international buyers will be far easier than in the past because of the close proximity of England’s two largest international airports outside of London – Birmingham with 110 daily arrivals and Manchester with almost 200.

More than 50 companies have already booked their stand for PATS Telford. They include: Mars Petcare, Royal Canin & James Wellbeloved, Danish Design, Wagg Foods, Eurostitch, Pedigree Wholesale, Hagen, Kong, James & Steel, Hill’s Pet Nutrition, Burns, Flexi, The Company of Animals, Vital, Collarways and Trixie.

Dates for next year’s shows:

• PATS Sandown: March 17-18, 2015;
• PATS Telford: September 27-28, 2015.

For more information visit www.patshow.co.uk

Guests at the PATS exhibitor day at Telford were impressed with The International Centre’s easy access for build-up and breakdown.

More images from the visit below...