The Discovery Point concept was created to provide a flexible opportunity for companies with specialist products to showcase their ranges via the dual-venue shows; either nationwide or in the geographic area appropriate to their capacity to supply. Some Discovery Point exhibitors showed a single product and others showed a range of products but all shared a single, vital factor; their presence at PATS offered them a focused yet flexible accessibility to the pet and aquatics trade that would have been difficult to achieve without the southern and northern PATS opportunities. For example Bettacare, whose range of safety products for nurseries and children is well known, used the Sandown Park Discovery Point opportunity to create a southern focus on its newer, specialist   pet gates development. Wicked or What used the Harrogate opportunity to showcase a single exciting and effective product; the CarPET pet hair remover. And supplier of exclusive, UK-manufactured leather collars, leads and harnesses, BBD Pet Products, took stands in the Discovery Point at both shows, as did organic dog and cat foods supplier  Lily’s Kitchen and accredited canine supplement supplier, Pooch & Mutt.

PATS Discovery Point will return to both Sandown and Harrogate 2011, in enhanced locations but with the same fantastic potential. PATS Discovery Point is all about discovering new products and concepts; so the 2011 shows will welcome new exhibitors and also those who exhibited at PATS 2010 but who have launched a new product or new extension to the range they showed this year.

PATS organiser Annie Dyke says:

“We were delighted with the successes our Discovery Point exhibitors enjoyed this year. We asked for feedback after both Sandown and Harrogate shows and as a result, we have given 2011’s Discovery Points at both venues more space and enhanced locations. Visitors have told us how much they welcomed the opportunity to meet and talk with the designers and originators of the specialist products on display in the Discovery Points. This PATS show feature is a great launch-pad for new companies, especially those without on-the-road sales representatives; and for companies launching valuable new products on a restricted budget. We hope that PATS Discovery Point will help the exhibitors of such products to launch, succeed and come back to future PATS with extended ranges and bigger stands.”

Lily’s Kitchen, Pooch & Mutt, BBD Pet Products, Allpet and Wicked or What are amongst the exhibitors who have already reserved space for next year’s shows.

PATS 2011 dates are as follows:

Sandown Park, Esher, Surrey March 22nd and 23rd
Harrogate IC, Harrogate, North Yorkshire April 5th and 6th