There was certainly no shortage of news at this week's International Boston Seafood Show. In addition to the new products and services exhibitors showcased on the show floor, speakers in the conference rooms addressed a range of subjects, from sustainability to food safety to economic integrity. Here's a look at what drew SeafoodSource readers' attention this week:
1) Why read when you can watch? SeafoodSource posted two video clips onsite at the International Boston Seafood Show and Seafood Processing America - the first video clips on the Web site since its re-launch on 2 March. Assembled by SeafoodSource Web designer Michael Poliskey, the clips gave readers unable to attend the annual three-day event a peek inside the Boston Convention & Exhibition Center. The clip summarizing
Day 1 of the show received the most hits, followed by the clip of Day 2 .
2) When SeafoodSource readers weren't watching the news, they were reading it. Our updates from Day 1 and Day 3 of the show generated a lot of interest, as did SeaFood Business Associate Editor James Wright's commentary on Thursday, "Scattered bits from Boston ." Harbor Crown Seafoods' raw king crab and iPura's food-safety system were among the products that caught Wright's eye at the show.
3) And the winner is? MacKnight Smoked Foods and Azuma Foods International beat out more than 70 entries to win the International Boston Seafood Show 2009 New Products Competition on Sunday. MacKnight's Smoked Salmon Bagel Slice took home the best new retail product award, while Azuma's Shrimp Sheet won the best new foodservice award. SeafoodSource Assistant Editor April Forristall caught up with the winners immediately after the awards ceremony.
4) The show went on: The aisles at the International Boston Seafood Show and Seafood Processing America may have been a little less crowded than in previous years due to the recession, but the attitude among exhibitors and visitors alike was refreshingly upbeat. I was impressed by attendees' willingness to overcome the challenges facing the global seafood trade, including efforts to advance the sustainable seafood movement and strengthen economic integrity - they were the subject of my "No time for sissies " commentary on Monday.
5) It's all about trust: Economic integrity was among the numerous subjects debated at Tuesday's Annual Shrimp Forum . Discussion topics ranged from the impact of the global recession on production and demand to perplexing trade barriers and the related costs shouldered by importers.
March 18, 2009
