There’s no better place to see and touch new products than a trade show. But planning your trip is key to overall success. Here are some pointers from the PATS team.

PATS, the UK’s number one pet trade event, is a great place to discover new ideas and products, and is often the launch pad for the ‘bestsellers’ of tomorrow. Pet product manufacturers and suppliers see PATS as a vital part of their marketing strategy because they are an ideal place to showcase their latest innovations.

Attending PATS Sandown on March 18-19 as a visiting retailer can prove very productive, as it provides the opportunity to find out what’s new for 2014 and then discuss the products in detail with the relevant supplier.

But it’s important to make sure that time at PATS, and the expense of getting there, are spent wisely. And that’s where a bit of planning can help to make a day away from the shop pay handsome dividends.

Janine Tozer, from ‘Not Just Pets’ in Bath, which was voted Pet Retailer of the Year in 2013, admits to taking a methodical approach to attending trade shows.

“I like to prioritise my trip. Before I actually get to the show I know who and what I want to see,” said Janine, pictured left with husband Mike at PATS Harrogate last September.

“This approach means I will achieve a lot from my visit because my meetings will be productive.

“However, I’m not totally blinkered because it’s important to spot new products that haven’t been on our radar. Discovering things we weren’t aware of becomes an added bonus to the trip.”

Attending trade shows is very important for pet retailers and although being away from the shop can cost time and money in the short term, they can pay handsome dividends in the future. So you must make the most of these opportunities.

“Planning your trip to an exhibition like PATS is key,” says organiser Annie Dyke. “Think about what you want to achieve, and how to go about it. Make a note of which exhibitors you want to see, and if possible call them beforehand to arrange a meeting on their stand.

“The PATS website lists all the exhibitors and their stand numbers along with a floorplan. It’s worth spending some time familiarising yourself with how the show is set up even if you have been to the venue before.

“Once there you’ll soon find your way around as the directional signs are prominent throughout, and all the stands are well numbered. The show catalogue is also a good guide to finding the location of each exhibitor.

“Study the show previews in the trade magazines as they’ll give you a great insight into what to expect, timings of informative seminars and other important show information.”

Now in its sixth year, PATS has been designed to help the retailer make the correct buying decisions. It pays to take advantage of exclusive show offers, and remember, the exhibitors are eager to see retailers and show off their products, so it puts buyers in a good bargaining position.

More than 160 exhibitors have booked stand space for PATS Sandown and will be showcasing hundreds of products, so it’s well worth a visit. Start planning your trip now, and make sure your register for free entry online at www.patshow.co.uk

Opening times

Tuesday 18th March: 9.00am-5.00pm