Diversified Communications, the organizer of Seafood Expo North America/Seafood Processing North America, have announced that the event scheduled for 13 through 15 March at the Boston Convention and Exhibition Center (BCEC) in Boston, Massachusetts, will take place as planned.
In a press release, the organizer of the show said it is committed to bringing the industry together safely for an in-person event. The company said that it continues to update the expo’s health and safety measures, closely following recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control, public health officials, federal, state, and local authorities, and the venue to provide a safe and healthy environment. [Editor’s note: Diversified Communications also owns and operates SeafoodSource].
“We are excited to be back in-person in Boston to reconvene seafood professionals looking to do business in the North American market,” Diversified Communications Event Director Wynter Courmont said. “Year over year, industry suppliers and buyers have valued the business opportunities at the event, and this year will be no exception.”
The event marks the 40th edition of the trade show. The last in-person event was scheduled to take place in 2020, however, complications related to the COVID-19 pandemic resulted in the postponement and eventual cancelation of the show, and subsequent shows in 2021 were also canceled for similar reasons.
Diversified Communications said the 2022 show will have robust safety protocols in effect, including some that have been mandated by the city of Boston, Massachusetts. In December, the city announced a vaccine requirement for all indoor spaces in Boston beginning 15 January, 2022 – including the Boston Convention and Exhibition Center. In addition to the vaccine requirements, a face mask mandate in all indoor settings is already in effect and will apply to all individuals at the show – including exhibitors, visitors, vendors, and staff.
The convention center also has its own procedures in place to maintain a clean environment, Diversified Communications said.
“Effective air circulation at indoor venues is critical to ensuring guest safety,” Massachusetts Convention Center Authority General Manager Diane DiAntonio said. “At the BCEC, there are over 25 dedicated ‘twin’ air handler units that can move millions of cubic feet of air, exchanging the air up to six times per hour.”
The goal of these protocols is to provide a safe environment for attendees and exhibitors, Diversified said.
“All of these measures contribute to a more-controlled business environment to protect the health and safety of our community. The landscape is changing, guidelines are changing, and we are adjusting them in accordance with public health officials and local authorities’ regulations to keep our participants safe,” Diversified Communications Group Vice President Liz Plizga said.
To date, taking into consideration recent cancelations, the event will cover 210,900 square feet of exhibit space, Courmont said.
“To put it into perspective, this represents 82 percent of the event’s largest edition, which nearly filled the entire exhibit floor,” Courmont said. “While we have received some cancelations, many from companies in countries facing long quarantine restrictions, our event is substantial and represents a very valuable supplier base.”
Exhibitors have said they are looking forward to reconnecting at the event, according to Diversified Communications.
“After two long years of virtual meetings, we eagerly anticipate the opportunity to meet with our customers, partners, colleagues and new clients in person and under the same roof,” Clearwater Seafoods Vice President of Sales, America, Rob O’Sullivan said. “Nothing replaces the importance of interacting face-to-face or the integral platform Seafood Expo North America provides to drive new business, reconnect with clients and partners, and get a pulse on the marketplace.”
Diversified Communications said representatives of numerous high-volume buyers will attend the event, including buyers from Albertsons, Amazon Fresh, Avendra, Bloomin’ Brands, Costco, Captain D’s, Darden, Foodbuy, McDonald’s, PFG, Publix, Red Lobster, Stop & Shop, Sysco, Target, Wegmans, Whole Foods, and more.
“Every day, key buyers from retail and foodservice companies are registering and expressing their interest to attend by booking hotel rooms and meeting rooms at the expo,” Courmont said.
The event will also feature a conference program including 28 sessions and 124 experts covering industry trends, Diversified Communications said.
“The pace of change in today’s seafood landscape is faster than ever, and being part of education opportunities, networking, and dialogue with peers across the industry is vital,” True North Seafoods Vice President of Public Relations Joel Richardson said. “Exhibiting at Seafood Expo North America is a way for our team to build relationships and immerse ourselves in current industry trends, which revitalizes our energy for strategic planning and maintaining business momentum for the year ahead.”
