Are you thinking of attending the Pet Industry Federation Petindex show in 2020?

The event is being held at the Marshall Arena in Milton Keynes on April 26 and 27th and is free to attend.

Anyone who already has a pet business or is thinking of setting up a pet business is welcome.

There will be trade stands with lots of established pet brands such as Dorwest, Natures Menus and ByBenji showcasing their products.

The PIF Awards ceremony will take place over the two day event as will the British Dog Grooming Championships which returns for its 38th year.

I’m really excited about the event as I will be speaking about the benefits of blogging and publicity for pet business owners.

There will be other seminars that visitors can attend over the two days, which culminates in the Pet Industry Federation awards dinner, a black tie event on the final night.

I spoke to Nigel Baker, CEO of the PIF, to find out more about the event and what people can look forward to.

What is the Pet Industry Federation?

The Pet Industry Federation (PIF) is Britain’s only trade association for all sectors of the pet industry.

The Pet Industry Federation represents over 2000 businesses from manufacturers and retailers to pet service companies such as boarding, grooming, day-care and dog walking.

All of these businesses make up our industry and all of these businesses are talking regularly to the UK’s 20 million households that own 49 million pets.

Today’s pet industry show needs to encapsulate the whole industry so that pet ownership continues to grow on as responsible basis and that standards in our industry are raised.

We support pet service providers like dog walkers and day care providers, dog groomers, pet retailers, manufacturers and wholesalers.

Who can benefit from being a member?

Any pet business owner can be a member of PIF. Our member benefits can be used by individuals or large scale businesses, with discounts on insurance, payment services, educations courses and events there is something for everyone.

Can you tell me about the event?

Pet Index is a brand new, free, event. It will bring together a trade show, British Dog Grooming Championships and the annual Pet Industry Awards.

The event is held on the 26th and 27th April 2020 and will host a range of educational seminars and business support providers. The event will have something for everyone!

Nominations for the Pet Industry Awards will be open at the end of November.

Who is the event for? 

Petindex is geared to helping businesses succeed with products and services and is looking to join the dots between the various types of business in our industry.

You could attend as a retailer and find new and exciting products, as well as learn from the various seminar streams happening on both days; or you could attend as a dog walker who could recommend products to their clients; or you could attend as a dog groomer who can both use and sell products to their clients; or as a kennel or cattery that is looking for supply and new products that will fit in with the new legislation on enrichment toys.

There really will be something for everyone and no two days will be the same!

What can people expect from the event? 

Petindex is not only about seeing new products and learning new things, our key objective is to help visitors grow their businesses.

We will achieve this through a range of education seminars, a business zone, green room and some fantastic displays but also through helping you ‘join the dots’ together to make your business more successful.

Today’s consumer is more discerning than ever, and you need to know exactly how you can both gain new customers, co-operate with others to help you reach out to today’s pet owner, as well understand how today’s market is changing.

The trade show will feature products from a great range of companies, ideal for pet retailers and those who would like to expand their business by selling direct to pet owners.

With over 60% of the trade stands already filled we have some great companies already confirmed including Hownd, byBenji, Natures Menu, Dorwest Herbs and Burns Pet Food.

Unlike many trade shows there will be opportunity to purchase products on the day. A number of the businesses will also be launching new products at the event.

Pet Index will host four seminar rooms covering topics from dog law to parasites, maximising retail space to insect protein and blogging to business support. A full list of the free seminars will be published early in 2020.

The PIF awards are open to members and non-members.

Categories include Dog Walker of the Year, Cattery of the Year and Independent Pet Retailer of the Year. Nominations open in later this month and winners are announced at the black tie gala dinner on Sunday. 

The Dog Grooming Championship is being held there, what does this entail? 

The British Dog Grooming Championships have been held for the last 30 years and is one of the biggest competitions in Britain.

There are classes from beginners to advanced and to demonstrate a range of skills including scissoring, hand stripping and Asian Fusion.

Unlike many competitions, to be crowned Groomer of the Year, the winner must have entered two dogs and therefore have demonstrated a wider range of skills.

Along with the competition there will be a range of seminars and demonstrations specifically for dog groomers.

What can people learn from the event? 

As well as the seminars and demonstrations Pet Index will house an Education zone and Business start up zone allowing people to get answers to specific questions which affect their business.

How is it different from other events and trade shows?

Bringing out another trade show that is similar to the ones already in existence is not our aim. Petindex will have vision and provide many different platforms to educate, sell and promote the best of our industry to the people involved in it.

Traditional trade shows have been targeted at pet retailers only, offering the opportunity to see new products and place bulk orders.

Petindex will not only incorporate the grooming competition, seminars and  awards but will offer other pet businesses the opportunity to meet manufacturers and buy products are great prices.

Can you tell me about the awards evening?

The PIF awards are open to members and non-members. Categories include Dog Walker of the Year, Cattery of the Year, Groomer of the Year and Independent Pet Retailer of the Year.

Nominations open in later this month and winners are announce at the black tie gala dinner on Sunday. 

The evening is always highly entertaining and it’s great to recognise the exceptionally high standards the pet businesses achieve.

How do you see the pet industry evolving in 2020? 

The pet industry continues to grow and professionalise. Those working in the sector are striving to ensure the highest welfare standards of animals in their care and as a result have a greater focus on education and training.

There is no doubt that high street retailers are struggling. However the specialist advice and guidance they can offer can not be achieved with online purchases.

We aim to support and promote these businesses, linking them with allied services in their own community allowing them to support each other and grow a solid customer base.

Where can people register/find out more? 

You can register for your free entry at www.petindexshow.com and follow us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/petindustryfederation/ we are on Twitter  @petfedUK and on Instagram @petindustryfederation

If you’re attending, do come along and say hi during my seminars too!