GUILDFORD, U.K.— In a move designed to expand its reach and add value for its attendees and exhibitors, Raccoon Media Group has created a new Animal Health Division. This division will oversee the company’s well-established National Equine Show and two new acquisitions, PATS (Pets & Aquatics Trade Show) and BETA International.
Heading up the effort is new CEO Nicole Cooper, who brings 30 years of experience in the events sector.
“We’re incredibly excited about the launch of our new Animal Health Division and the opportunities it brings for growth and innovation across these two incredible expos,” she said. “Our main focus moving forward is to expand our reach and create even more value for attendees and exhibitors alike.”
An immediate growth strategy, said Cooper, will be to enhance the scale and scope of the current events. “We’re exploring new features, such as more specialized content tracks, hands-on workshops and interactive product demonstrations, all designed to deepen engagement and knowledge-sharing. Additionally, we’re looking to broaden our footprint by adding new locations and potentially launching entirely new events tailored to emerging trends and needs within the animal health space.”
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Launched in 2009, PATS is the U.K.’s trade show for the pets and aquatics trade, featuring thousands of brands. The existing PATS team will work closely with Raccoon Media Group, and Gordon Thomas, Director of PATS, will continue in his role, working alongside Cooper.
The second acquisition is BETA International, the U.K.’s leading equestrian and country trade fair. The event, which was established by the trade association with the same name more than 40 years ago, attracts a B2B and B2C audience and exhibitors from more than 25 countries. It will be a strong complement to Raccoon’s National Equine Show, which was launched three years ago and has grown in popularity and profitability.
“Above all, we aim to provide a platform that not only supports the latest advancements in animal health but also fosters a vibrant community for professionals and businesses in the industry,” said Cooper. “By listening to feedback and staying attuned to market shifts, we’re committed to evolving our expos to remain relevant, impactful and growth-oriented for our audience.
“We’re just getting started, and there’s much more to come.”
Reach Nicole Cooper at nicole.cooper@raccoonmediagroup.com
