No Space Left At PATS Sandown
Six weeks before its opening date; and PATS Sandown 2012 is completely full.
Launched in 2009, PATS is now in its fourth year and was quickly established as the UK’s leading pet trade show, enjoying huge support from all areas of the pet trade. PATS Sandown 2012 has more than 140 exhibitors filling two halls – Surrey Hall and Esher Hall. The show expanded into the Esher Hall in 2011 to fulfil the demand for space from an increasing number of exhibitors. This year, PATS Sandown has two entrances, one into each hall; both entrances will be fully serviced for registration, collection of free show catalogues and of course, the halls interlink directly, to allow retailers to easily visit exhibitors in both halls. There is free parking adjacent to each hall. To add to the success of between-halls visitor flow, PATS show signage has been extended and increased; and there are not-to-be-missed show attractions in both Surrey and Esher Halls.
The Surrey Hall hosts the popular Discovery Point; the home of exhibitors with specialised, niche market products, many of them brand new to the UK pet trade. In this hall, visitors can meet both new and familiar faces, discuss their latest product launches and take advantage of show-only offers – and find hot food if desired. The PetQuip-sponsored International Visitors’ Lounge is situated here, in the Brasserie; as is the Exhibitor Club, where exhibitors can have a coffee and a break, or even have a business conversation away from the busy bustle of the halls.
In the Esher Hall, the Retailers’ Choice showcase of new-to-PATS products is a popular first stop for most visitors, so they can peruse its collection of cutting-edge innovations in their search for potential new retail stock. Visiting retailers can also vote for the winners of the PATS Product of the Year Awards, which are chosen from entrants to this display. And as a ‘thank you’ for voting, one lucky retail voter will win a case of champagne. Like the Surrey Hall, Esher Hall is full of key brands, new names and products; so here, too, there is a great deal to stimulate retailers’ imagination in choosing new and exciting ranges. And to fulfil their appetites! Before 10.30am the Esher Hall catering area will offer visitors a free breakfast; and during the lunch period, free sandwiches; all on both days of the show.
In PATS Seminar Point, a series of free-to-attend seminars will present topics that address many of the challenges of today’s pet retail trade. The Grooming Point offers a daily series of free dog grooming demonstrations, given by members of Groom Team England and the English Groomers’ Group, together with tips on how to gain the necessary qualifications to pursue a successful grooming career. Grooming techniques on display will include clipping and scissoring, hand stripping, producing a show-perfect trim and a session on creative grooming. And also in the Grooming Point display, a number of PATS exhibitors who sell grooming products to the trade have the opportunity to display their grooming ranges to interested groomers and pet product retailers.
The full list of exhibitors is available on www.patshow.co.uk together with full information about show features, how to find the venue and how to register for free show entry, which includes a free welcome cup of tea or coffee.
PATS Sandown takes place at Sandown Park Exhibition Centre, Esher, Surrey on Tuesday March 20th and Wednesday March 21st 2012. And for visitors who want to double their PATS opportunities, or for whom a northern show venue is more convenient, PATS Harrogate will take place in Harrogate International Centre, North Yorkshire, Sunday September 16th and Monday September 17th 2012.
Show enquiries can also be made to the PATS Hotline – 01892 862848