International interest grows in PATS Telford

PATS Telford in September is set to have a strong international presence with a growing number of pet buyers and exhibitors from around the world expected to attend the autumn showpiece.

The PATS team had a stand at the recent Zoomark show and huge interest was shown in the UK’s national pet trade exhibition.

PATS has been exhibiting in the PetQuip-organised British Pavilion at both Zoomark and Interzoo in recent years and interest in the show has grown significantly with each visit.

“We were primarily at Zoomark to raise the awareness of PATS internationally and to encourage large European retailers and distributors to visit and, of course, do business with our exhibitors who are interested in exporting,” said Gordon Thomas, of Impact Exhibitions, organisers of PATS. “We will have over 180 exhibitors at Telford, and 22 of them will be international companies based overseas.”

With its proximity to both Birmingham and Manchester airports, Telford International Centre – the home of PATS in September – is an ideal location for international visitors.

PATS is working closely with PetQuip to ensure that international buyers are flown in to the show, and already buyers from Spain, Germany, Denmark and The Netherlands have committed to attend.

“UK pet products are very popular and representatives from international pet companies can see the advantage of meeting up with British suppliers all under one roof,” added Gordon.

“They agree that PATS is the perfect venue to discover what’s new in the market for the year ahead, and an ideal opportunity to talk to UK-based manufacturers and suppliers.

“In spite of the uncertainties surrounding Brexit, it’s great to know that PATS can still command such a huge international presence, both from an exhibitor and visitor point of view.”

PATS organises a package for International visitors that includes an invitation to the prestigious PetQuip Awards dinner on the evening of Sunday, September 24th. At the show itself there will be an International Business Centre, where visitors will be able to hold meetings with UK suppliers. PetQuip team members will also be available to provide business services, sourcing advice and arrange introductions to UK pet companies.

One of the major successes at PATS shows over the years has been the New Product Showcase. Last year at Telford a record number new products – over 300 in total – were on show in the designated area. All the products entered into the Showcase will be judged by a panel of independent pet retailers on the first day of the show.

For the first time the New Product Awards will be presented at the PetQuip Awards Dinner, which will be held in Telford International Centre’s Ludlow Suite.

“PetQuip is really pleased that the PATS New Product Awards will be presented during our Awards dinner on Sunday, 24th September,” said Pat Flynn, PetQuip Trade Association Manager.

“The evening promises to be yet another memorable event especially with the addition of one of the key elements from the show. New Product Awards are so important for underlining the strength of a product for retailers."

PATS Telford is already shaping up to be one of the most successful events in the show’s nine-year history. A full list of exhibitors can be found on the PATS website www.patshow.co.uk where visitors can register to attend for free.