Meeting point Telford

The exhibition hall at the Telford International Centre will be packed with stands displaying the new products of over 200 exhibiting companies. As the organiser points out, a growing number of companies are choosing to exhibit for the first time as they see PATS as the perfect opportunity to showcase their products to retailers and overseas distributors. And more international exhibitors are also using PATS as a platform to launch their products onto the UK market.
PATS Telford attracted a total of 2 009 visitors in 2016 - the second year in a row that the 2 000 barrier had been broken. The organisers hope that 2017 will be another record-breaking year.
One of PATS Telford's most popular features is the New Product Showcase, which saw an impressive number of over 260 entries last year. Indications suggest this figure will increase in 2017, and all items will be displayed prominently in the exhibition hall. The Showcase entries will be judged by a panel of retailer judges for the New Product Awards on the first morning of the show, and the winners will receive their honours at the PetQuip Awards Dinner on the evening of the opening day. Winning an award in the PATS New Product Showcase can be the launch pad to huge sales, according to companies whose new products have been recognised at previous exhibitions.
To help make the visitor experience even more enjoyable and rewarding, visitors will receive free show entry, free parking, a free catalogue and many special offers. There will also be a full programme of free seminars and grooming demonstrations. The grooming programme, organised in collaboration with the British Dog Groomers' Association and KD Grooming Studio, will feature some of the country's leading groomers.

The PetQuip Awards and gala presentation evening will celebrate its fifth year on 24 September, which will be the first evening of PATS Telford. The awards are acclaimed across the pet industry and attract a wide range of suppliers, retailers and press to the presentation dinner and party. The list of 55 finalists has been disclosed. The following are nominated in the category "Business of the Year": Beco Pets; Bunty Pet Products; Collarways; Danish Designs; First Aid for Life; Forthglade; Friends for Pets; Naturediet; Natures Menu; Phoenox Textiles; Pedigree Wholesale; Scruffs and Unipet.
Armitage Pet Care, Danish Designs, Natures Menu, Pero (Foods), Phoenox Textile and Pet Revolution are nominated as "Exporter of the…