Industry shows set to return in 2021

UK’s leading industry shows set for welcome return in 2021

Pet and aquatic suppliers can look forward to meeting retailers face-to-face when the UK’s leading industry exhibitions – PATS and AQUA – make a welcome return in 2021.

PATS at Sandown Park in Surrey on May 11th12th 2021 will be the first live pet industry show in the UK since the first Covid-19 lockdown was imposed in March 2020.

Those industry-leading exhibitors who have already committed to next May’s Sandown Park showpiece can’t wait for a return of the UK’s Spring event.

Show organiser Gordon Thomas said: “We are very excited to welcome the pet industry back to PATS Sandown when the whole trade will finally be re-united under one roof, there is nothing like doing business face-to-face.”

Both PATS shows and the AQUA exhibitions, which is held every two years, are now regarded as important international shows.

“There is great interest in buying British,” says Gordon. “The UK pet market is the second largest in Europe and international distributors and retailers recognise that fact, and also that British companies invent and manufacture innovative new products. They want to see all the latest launches from UK companies, and they know that PATS and AQUA are the best places to do that. We are hopeful that international buyers will be able to visit our shows in 2021 because the majority of our exhibitors are exporting companies.”

The venues for PATS and AQUA are ideally situated to make travelling to and from the shows as stress-free as possible.

Gordon and his team work closely with PetQuip to ensure that both visitors and suppliers get the most benefit from the PATS exhibitions. PetQuip takes a stand at each event where its staff assists overseas enquiries and advises exhibitors how they can export their products.

As well as having the chance to see the latest products being launched on to the market, there will be a whole host of other activities to help visitors make their visit a profitable one, including at PATS free-to-attend series of seminars covering a wide range of topics.

The 2021 PetQuip Awards will take place during PATS Telford on Sunday, September 26th.