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Work starts on making PATS even better
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| Gordon Thomas |
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Organisers of the PATS trade shows have already started work on making the exhibitions in 2013 even better than this year's successful events...
The PATS team has already asked for feedback from 2012 exhibitors and visitors, plus those retailers who didn't attend the Sandown and Harrogate shows.
Speaking exclusively to Pet Trade Xtra, organiser Gordon Thomas admitted it was going to be hard to top the success of this year's shows, which saw record numbers of exhibitors and visitors.
"We will not get complacent because you're only as good as your last show," said Gordon. "The key is to make sure PATS is even better in future. I don't think there will be any fundamental changes like this year when we moved the Harrogate show from an April date to September but we will listen to all the feedback and implement any changes necessary."
Gordon and his team hardly had time to draw breath on an amazing Harrogate show, which saw a Sunday exhibition for the first time, before starting work on plans for 2013.
Already exhibitor stands for the Sandown show taking place on March 19-20 are selling out fast, with only eight places of the 100 available left in the Surrey Hall.
Exhibitors are facing their first rise in the cost of a stand – 1.9% – since PATS staged its first show in 2009 but it doesn't seem to be putting them off booking for next year.
"We have always tried to make it easy for our customers," said Gordon. "I believe that it's not expensive to exhibit at PATS, especially for the bigger companies, and we will continue to offer value for money. The slight rise in charges reflects the increase in costs from our contractors, which we have managed to absorb until now."
So what changes can we expect in 2013? Gordon says it is too early to say but admits the team will be looking to see how the seminar and grooming programmes can be improved. He is also hopeful of encouraging more exhibitors to submit new products to the Retailers' Choice Showcase.
PATS Harrogate in 2013 will again clash with Glee but Gordon says that is not an issue in the industry. "It's just media hype," said Gordon. "One exhibitor actually told me he was glad we moved the show because now he could look forward to it. That sentiment was echoed by most of the exhibitors and visitors at PATS."
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