Diversified Communications, organizer of Seafood Expo North America/Seafood Processing North America, has announced that this year’s trade fair, to be held March 19-21 at the Boston Convention & Exhibition Center, will be the largest in its 37-year history. Over 1,330 companies from 52 countries will be exhibiting seafood products, services and equipment across more than 253,000-square-feet of space, representing an increase of 231 booths over the 2016 running.
The exposition is expected to bring thousands of key players from every sector of the seafood industry to network, conduct business and gather new ideas. Returning exhibiting countries such as Brazil, Canada, China, Denmark, Indonesia, Japan, Korea and the United States have expanded their presence at this year’s event. Additional participation will include contingents from the Falkland Islands, Lithuania, Mauritius, Myanmar, Poland, Portugal, Tunisia and Sweden.
As always, innovative value-added frozen products will be heavily promoted at the show, many of which are new launches or have only recently debuted in new markets. Among them now getting exposure in North America is the Jamie Oliver range of Fishcakes and Brilliant Fish Fillet Fingers. Produced in collaboration with the Nomad Foods’ Findus brand, the retail packs will be available to see and sample at Booth 3078.
“What I’ve done with my range by Findus is focus on delicious, convenient favorites like fish cakes and fish fingers, but I’ve made sure we’re using sustainable fish so mums and dads can buy a great product with no nasties,” said the British celebrity chef and restaurateur.
“My fish with Findus is frozen within a matter of hours of being caught – at its best – locking in all that fantastic flavor, no mucking about,” added Oliver. “And as usual, I’ve been all over the recipes making sure we’re using chunks of fish and not minced. It’s about making simple, delicious food accessible and affordable without compromising on the environment.”
Young’s Seafood intends to make a splash at the Boston venue with a wide assortment of retail frozen fish fare that runs the gamut from Chip Shop and Gastro value-added ready meals and entrees to scampi, mussels, scallops, cod, haddock, hoki, salmon, pollock and many other species of fish at Booth 2875.
“Young’s truly has the potential to grow as a global brand,” said Nick Munday, international sales manager of the Grimsby, North Lincolnshire, England-headquartered company. “It is our belief that a fish-loving nation is a happier nation, and we look forward to introducing Young’s to more markets around the world.”
‘Incredible Year,’ Says Show Organizer
“This has been an incredible year in terms of exhibit space and participation, and we couldn’t be more pleased,” said Wynter Courmont, Diversified Communications’ event director.
Indeed, the world continues to beat a path to the lucrative United States seafood market, which relies on imports for 90 percent of its consumption requirements. And demand is growing. According to the 2015 annual report on US seafood consumption published by the National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Americans added one pound of seafood to their diet and per capita consumption of seafood grew to 15.5 pounds over the previous year.
“This data supports the continued need and importance of the event for the seafood community,” said Liz Plizga, vice president of seafood expositions for Portland, Maine-headquartered Diversified Communications, which also puts on Seafood Expo Global/Seafood Processing Global in Brussels and other food industry fairs around the world.
The three-day gathering in Boston, which is sponsored by the National Fisheries Institute, attracts seafood buyers from restaurants, supermarkets, catering firms, seafood markets, hotels, airlines and cruise lines as well as importers, wholesalers and distributors.
“This is the place to meet with buyers, prospect new business and see trends and what’s taking place in the industry,” said Richard Jeanette of Maritime Products International, a longtime exhibitor at the show.
Blair Snyder, a buyer with Whole Foods Market, said seeing vendors face-to-face is important when he attends the annual B2B event in Boston. “We are in such a digital time that being reminded that there are actual people behind these invoices and e-mails is still a crucial part of business,” he said.
In addition to a packed exhibit hall floor, the 2017 edition will include a comprehensive conference program where more than 20 educational sessions will be presented by top seafood industry experts to provide attendees with practical information for their business. Special events will also take place on in the exhibit hall including the New Product Showcase, Featured Product Showcase, Seafood Excellence Awards ceremony, master classes on oysters and sea urchin, culinary demonstrations and the 11th annual Oyster Shucking Competition.
For more information, visit: www.divcom.com.
