Visitors to PATS Harrogate in September can expect a busy and exciting show as all exhibitor stands at the two-day event have now been sold.
Having attracted a record number of 160 exhibitors, three halls at Harrogate International Centre will be packed with stands showcasing new products. And with the ‘Sold Out’ signs being posted already, it promises to be the biggest and best PATS show ever.
Show organiser Annie Dyke said: “I’m happy to report that all our major exhibitors are again heading for Harrogate and we will be welcoming more overseas companies than ever before. They obviously regard PATS as their major platform to showcase products to UK buyers.”
Visitors can expect a warm welcome from companies like Beaphar, Sharples & Grant, Burgess Pet Care, Mars Petcare , Eurostitch, Vitakraft, Connollys Red Mills, Best Pets, Company of Animals, Trixie, Liberta, Pointer Pet Products.
And as well as meeting up with a long list of PATS regulars, visitors will be greeted by a host of new faces when the show takes place on Sunday, September 15, and Monday, September 16.
A growing number of companies are choosing to exhibit for the first time as they see PATS as the perfect opportunity to showcase their products to retailers and overseas distributors.
Pure Pet Food is a relative newcomer to the UK pet trade and will be making its first PATS appearance at Harrogate.
“After launching Pure at the start of the year we feel the timing is now perfect to showcase our naturally dehydrated products to the wider pet trade,” says Daniel Valdur Eha. “Pure has had a fantastic response from both dog owners and across the natural pet specialists who have become stockists of what we believe to be an exciting point of difference for UK retail. We hope PATS can provide a larger audience for Pure and provide the platform for an exciting end to what has been a brilliant first year.”
Meanwhile Spanish company Dixie is one of a growing number of international exhibitors choosing to use PATS as the best platform to showcase its products to the UK market. The range includes insect repellents and shampoos.
International sales manager Vicente Jáuregui explains: “We have decided to go to PATS to make contacts in both the UK and internationally. We hope to meet wholesalers, importers, retailers and laboratories, and we will have a new line of insecticide pipettes to show people.”
This year’s PATS Harrogate will be the second to be held in September with a Sunday opening day, and regular exhibitors believe the timing is perfect for the pet trade.
“The September dates complement the spring Sandown show perfectly and the Sunday-Monday exhibition days work really well,” said Paul Pugh, of Sharples & Grant.
And Colin Rodger from Bern Pet Food believes that opening PATS on a Sunday is a great idea. “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’s PATS Harrogate attracted 1,813 visitors, which was an 8% increase on the 2011 show when it was held in April.
The exhibition will have the same layout as in 2012, using Harrogate Main visitor entrance in Hall M.
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. To register for your free entry to the show visit www.patshow.co.uk
