The PetQuip Awards will continue to celebrate its winners through an “exciting new format” this year, after organisers for PATS Telford confirmed the event’s cancellation yesterday (21 July).
The industry show, which hosts the awards, was initially set to take place between 27 September and 28 September 2020.
However, the Prime Minister’s announcement last Friday (17 July) stated that conferences and business events could only restart from 1 October, on the condition that the virus remained under control.
The PetQuip Awards were due to be announced at its annual presentation evening following the first day of PATS Telford on 27 September.
Following the cancellation, however, PetQuip and the sponsors of the awards have agreed to still recognise the expertise and achievements of the award’s entrants and winners through the launch of a new format.
To ensure “maximum exposure” for the winning companies and their products, PetQuip, along with sponsors APPA/Global Pet Expo, pbwnews and Natures Menu, will now support a “wide-ranging” PR campaign for the finalists and award winners throughout the UK and international trade media.
All finalists and winners will then “benefit from an innovative promotion which will bring their brands and achievements to an influential UK and international audience of buyers”, according to Pat Flynn, the trade association manager at PetQuip.
Judging of the PetQuip Awards finalist list will be announced in two weeks’ time, ahead of the final judging that is set to take place later in August.
PetQuip director general, Amanda Sizer Barrett, said: “We are sad not to be able to meet all our awards finalists and winners in person as usual this year at PATS during our awards event and party.
“But we have arranged to celebrate the achievements of our entrants in an innovative way which will benefit every participant – a positive benefit in a year when our industry has been facing unprecedented challenges.”
PATS Telford is now set to return in 2021, taking place between 26 September and 27 September 2021, with PATS Sandown taking place between 14 February and 15 February 2021.
