Seafood Expo North America 2017 smashes event records

This year’s Seafood Expo North America / Seafood Processing North America event – held in Boston, Massachusetts from 19 to 21 March – set new attendance and exhibiting company records, show organizer Diversified Communications announced on 12 May. 

Seafood Expo North America 2017 was the largest edition of the event to be put on in its 37 years history, with 253,560 net square feet of exhibit space being utilized by 1,342 exhibiting companies from 53 countries – a 9 percent exhibitor participation increase over 2016. More than 22,660 seafood professionals from over 120 countries attended this SENA17, another record for the event. 

“The success of this year’s event is attributed to the growth of international and domestic participation from seafood, equipment and service exhibitors,” said Wynter Courmont, Event Director at Diversified Communications. “The exposition has expanded so much since its inception and the interest in participating continues to grow each year,” added Courmont. “This is a testament of the importance of the event for the seafood industry – providing the invaluable opportunity for buyers and suppliers to connect and conduct business all in one place.”  

One such new international exhibitor to Boston was U.K.-based Young’s Seafood, which was able to engage with many buyers while exhibiting at SENA, according to the company. 

“This is our first year exhibiting at the event,” said Yvonne Adam from Young’s Seafood Ltd. “We met with many buyers about our products and brand in Boston. We’re happy with our experience and are planning on participating again next year.”

A series of special events, including the 11th annual Oyster Shucking Competition and five master classes and culinary demonstrations, attracted and engaged attendees during the show’s three days. Eamon Clark earned the title of “fastest shucker in the East” after he out-shucked 14 competitors during the Oyster Shucking Competition, while two master classes on sea urchin and oysters successfully provided an in-depth look at how to source, select, handle and prepare the highlighted species.

Another contributor to SENA17’s success was its educational conference program featuring 30 sessions by industry leaders on the most important and timely issues relevant to today’s seafood business environment, according to Diversified. Standout new products also served to attract buzz, including the Seafood Excellence Award-winning offerings from Fishpeople Seafood, which won the “Best New Retail Product” for its Meyer Lemon & Herb Panko Wild Alaska Salmon Kit, and Open Blue, which took home the “Best New Foodservice Product” prize for its Frozen Open Blue Cobia Fillet.

Next year’s Seafood Expo North America is scheduled to take place at the Boston Convention & Exhibition Center from 11 to 13 March. 

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