PATS 2026: Organiser expects record number of exhibitors

The Pet & Aquatics Trade Show (PATS) takes place at the NEC Birmingham from 27 to 29 September. According to the organiser, Raccoon Media Group, more than 425 exhibitors representing over 600 brands will take part, which would make this year's show the largest to date.

New this year is an International Pavilion bringing together exhibitors from outside the UK. In the Animal Encounters area, run in partnership with Animal Teach, zoologist Naomi Ennis and her team will hold sessions with live animals aimed at retailers; the animals taking part will be selected each day following health and behaviour checks. Aquascaper George Farmer will give live demonstrations on all three days, focusing on how retailers can develop aquascaping as a category. Coffee & Connect, a new networking format, combines talks by a market analyst, a brand founder and a retail buyer with time for informal exchange. The Grooming Zone adds a programme of retailer sessions with the British Isles Grooming Association (BIGA) covering product knowledge, customer advice and selling grooming ranges.

PATS is once again co-located with the equestrian trade show BETA International, which runs on 27 and 28 September. A single registration gives access to both events. Admission is free for qualifying trade visitors; registration and the exhibitor list are available at www.patshow.co.uk.