This year’s PATS Telford, the UK’s number one pet industry show due to take place on September 27-28, 2020, has been cancelled following the PM’s announcement that conferences are unlikely to be allowed until at least October 1.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson made the announcement on July 17, saying that conferences and business events could recommence in a COVID-19 secure way from October 1, but only if prevalence of the virus remains low.
“Obviously this means that PATS Telford can no longer go ahead”, said Gordon Thomas, director of Impact Exhibitions and Events.
“We had already decided, due to ongoing uncertainty over when venues would be allowed to reopen, that we would have to cancel. The longer the uncertainty went on, the less time we had to promote PATS Telford 2020 and deliver the audience and content that exhibitors and visitors expect from us.”
“Additionally, the welfare and safety of our exhibitors, visitors and our team are significant considerations in taking this difficult decision.”
Telford International Centre, venue for PATS Telford, had been working with its trade body the Association of Event Venues since the lockdown was lifted to press the government for a date on when it could re-open.
Gordon said: “The Department of Culture, Media and Sport had originally indicated that venues would be allowed to open in August, and that was what we were working towards.
“Unfortunately that is no longer the case.”
PATS will return in 2021, with PATS Sandown taking place on February 14-15 and PATS Telford on September 26-27.
In a joint statement on the situation, Gordon and show organiser Annie Foord said: “In our combined 70 years of organising major industry exhibitions in the UK we’ve never had to cancel an event, and it makes us very sad to take this difficult decision.”
Annie continued: “We know how important PATS is as a forum where our community comes to learn, source product, meet suppliers and network.
“PATS is the place for the pet industry to come together as one, under one roof, to share knowledge, experience and new ideas and the great relationships that this trade is renowned for.”
Annie added: “Over the coming months PATS will provide a hub for the trade to continue to come together via the PATS website — with ongoing exhibitor promotions, new product launches, industry news and updates, plus new content and services promoted to our visitor databases.
“As our community looks to rebuild and recover in 2021 our team will also be working hard to ensure we return next year with an event that brings everyone back together for the reunion we will all be crying out for.
“We really look forward to welcoming everyone back through the doors at PATS Sandown in February 2021 and again at PATS Telford in September 2021.”
For more information about PATS visit www.patshow.co.uk