TELFORD, UNITED KINGDOM — PATS Telford 2023, the premier national aquatic and pet industry tradeshow in the United Kingdom, attracted a record-breaking number of exhibitors. The show was held Oct. 1 to 2 at the Telford International Centre, and is organized annually by Impact Exhibitions & Events Ltd.

More than 260 companies hit the show floor to highlight their latest and greatest products over the course of the two-day show. The show floor also included a “New Starter Zone,” in which startup brands had the opportunity to introduce their early-stage innovations.

One company, Marleybones, attended PATS for the first time this year.

“Having a stand at PATS has enabled us to meet so many independent pet retailers and groomers,” said Josephine Bager, co-founder of Marleybones. “We’re so please we took a stand.”

In the New Product Showcase, attendees browsed more than 400 new products displayed across two exhibition halls.

A team of industry experts was enlisted to select New Product Showcase winners across several categories, including Cat Food and Products, Dog Food Products and Dog Treat Products. In the feline category, James & Steel was recognized for its BAM! point-of-sale retail display for catnip products. Naturaw won in the Dog Food Products category for its Forage: Free Range Pork recipe, which touts a lower carbon footprint. In the Dog Treat category, Pet Treats Wholesale was recognized for its Gourmet Advent Calendar.

“It’s our first time here so we didn’t know quite what to expect, but we’re just over the moon to have won in such a highly contested category,” said Louis Jolivet, director of Pet Treats Wholesale, another first-time PATS exhibitor. “PATS is a really relevant place for us to be right now as everyone seems to be looking for new suppliers and we’ve already made some great connections.”

PATS Telford 2024 will be held Sept. 29 to Oct. 1, marking the first year the show will span three days instead of two.

“PATS Telford creates a real buzz in the UK pet industry, and I’m 100% behind the move to a three-day show next year,” said Sallie-Ann Reed, managing director for Rogz in the United Kingdom and Ireland.

Read more about pet food and treat industry events.