Pet trade exhibition PATS enters its 10th year with two major shows lined up in 2018, starting at Sandown Park in Surrey next Tuesday (March 20) and followed by a second event at Telford in Shropshire in September.
PATS Sandown will be packed with more than 150 companies showcasing an amazing number of new products, and it promises to be a highly successful event for both exhibitors and visitors alike. Meanwhile, plans for PATS Telford, being held on September 23-24, are well advanced and the show aims to be bigger and better than ever this year.
Inspired Pet Nutrition were the first company to book a stand with PATS in 2009 under the Wagg brand and have been exhibiting ever since. Trade sales director Ben Anderson summed up the importance of a show like PATS by saying: “At IPN we believe in the concept of a trade show – how else can you fully display your entire range of products to your customers under one roof? As our brands and ranges expand, we will continue to utilise the PATS event to showcase these to our customer base.
“The PATS team are experienced, knowledgeable, approachable and go out of their way to ensure the show is a success each and every year. We’re looking forward to another successful 10 years and thanks to all the team at PATS for their hard work in organising such a well run trade show.”
Award-winning Pedigree Wholesale has also supported the PATS team from the outset. “The show is an excellent platform for showcasing new products and brands, as well as meeting both existing and new customers from the specialist independent pet trade,” said Ann Hodson. “The quality of visitors is excellent and we are always delighted with the high number of worthwhile enquiries we get at each show.”
PATS Sandown opens its doors at 9.30am on Tuesday, March 20, and visitors will be greeted by key brands, household names and 37 exhibitors new to PATS Sandown, with potential bestselling items displayed on their stands as well as in the New Product Showcase.
The New Product Showcase, sponsored by pbwnews, is a great opportunity for visiting retailers to see and touch the new products they will be stocking for the coming season.
The Showcase is designed to help buyers to view the latest and most exciting products to hit the pet trade, as they are gathered together in one, extensive display in Surrey Hall’s Brasserie Bar.
All entries in the Showcase will judged by a panel of retailer judges for the New Product Awards on the first morning of the show, so the results will be known and highlighted throughout the Surrey and Esher Halls for the rest of the exhibition.
There will also be a full programme of free retailer-focused seminars during both days of the show, covering a wide range of topics. These include: how to drive sales of pet products using expertise, engagement and ethics; all you need to know about licensing in 2018; getting more online visitors to your website; and the strength of independent retail.
There will also be a chance to earn Continuing Professional Development (CPD) points for those people attending a special seminar on flea and tick control and prevention, by Beaphar UK. The CPD points will go towards the ongoing development of Suitably Qualified People (SQP) working in the pet industry.
To help make the visitor experience even more enjoyable and rewarding, both the Surrey and Esher Halls have their own entrances and registration points, with visitors benefitting from free show entry, free parking, a free catalogue and many special offers.
There will also be a wide range of food available from all the various outlets and visitors will receive a free cup of tea or coffee voucher, which will be redeemable all day.
To register for free entry to the show and to view the full list of exhibitors visit www.patshow.co.uk
Opening times:
Tuesday March 20, 9.30am-5.30pm
Wednesday March 21, 9.30am-4.30pm
