News

From Harrogate to Telford
The organisers of the pet trade event PATS have announced that its September show is moving from Harrogate to the Telford International Centre in 2015. PATS Telford will take place on 27 and 28 September 2015.
The decision to move venues was made after extensive external research revealed that there are a number of issues concerning Harrogate as PATS continues to grow in size and stature. The research highlighted that build-up and breakdown is challenging for exhibitors, with very limited access to the halls. The exhibition halls are no longer suitable and three separate halls, although linked, are not ideal for optimum visitor flow. Another concern is that parking for both visitors and exhibitors is expensive and limited.
PATS organisers believe the move to the Telford International Centre is the best and most exciting option for many reasons: the venue is a purpose-built exhibition centre, with a light airy feel, ideally situated on the edge of the town. It has superb exhibitor access for build-up and breakdown and free parking for 1 300 vehicles right by the venue. PATS Sandown will continue and will be held on 17-18 March 2015.

Eighteen pet care companies were honoured at the PetQuip Awards party. In addition to awards in six industry categories, a special Lifetime Achievement Award was introduced into the awards for 2014 by the PetQuip association, and it went to Mary Boughton MBE of Dorwest Herbs, which also won the Supplier of the Year award.
The other award-winning firms for 2014 are Pedigree Wholesale (Wholesaler of the Year), Sure Flap with the Dualscan Micro Chip cat flap (Product Innovation of the Year), Animology/Group 55 (Exporter of the Year), Animalis (International Retailer of the Year) and Betty & Butch (UK Retailer of the Year). Supplier of the Year - Mary Boughton (centre) of Dorwest Herbs receives the award from Amanda Sizer Barrett MBE (right), director general of PetQuip.

More than 5 600 registered buyers from 1 742 firms attended the Backer's Total Pet Expo Fall Trade Show in Chicago, according to the show organisers. A total of 288 companies occupied 468 booths on the floor, offering an interesting variety of products and services. Debuting at the show was an app for mobile devices, designed to enable attendees to navigate the show floor more easily and find exhibitors and products of interest. Other show features were a pet store located on the trade…