The 2012 International Boston Seafood Show/Seafood Processing America — North America’s largest seafood trade exhibition — is less than two weeks away. This year’s three-day event, which takes place from 11 to 13 March at the Boston Convention & Exhibition Center, will feature nearly 1,000 exhibitors from 42 countries. Here are some of the can’t-miss attractions on and off the show floor:
And the winners are… At 3:30 p.m. on 11 March, the two winners of the Seafood Excellence Awards new products competition will be unveiled (one for best new foodservice product and one for best new retail product). Among the 10 finalists, announced on Friday, are American Pride Seafoods, Fishery Products International, Dish Hospitality, Grieg Seafood Hjaltland UK and Maristellas Fine Foods.
Don’t miss the New Product Showcase on the show floor. This year’s New Product Showcase is sponsored by High Liner Foods.
At 3:30 p.m. on 12 March, Jorge Hernandez of Elliott’s Oyster House in Seattle defends his title at the sixth annual Oyster Shucking Contest at the Culinary Demonstration Theater on the show floor. Will William “Chopper” Young reclaim the championship after missing last year’s event? Catch the action!
The International Boston Seafood Show features an extensive education program. Click here for a conference schedule. This year’s Free Keynote Address is Dr. Albert Zeufack, director of research and investment strategy in Kazanah Nasional Berhad, a Malaysian Sovereign Wealth Fund. His presentation, “Economic Crises and Natural Catastrophes as ‘New Normal?’ Potential Impact on the Seafood Industry,” will be held today from 12:30 to 1:30 p.m. in Room 153AB.
Can’t make it to the event but interested in participating in the education program? This year, SeafoodSource is streaming two conferences live via Ustream, both for free. First is Dr. Zeufack’s keynote address on Sunday. Then, on 12 March from 9 to 10 a.m. EST, catch Samuel Rauch, the new acting assistant administrator of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s Fisheries Service, talk about U.S. fisheries milestone.
Did you download the International Boston Seafood Show app for your smartphone yet? Get the floor map, exhibitor list and conference schedule on your mobile device. A mobile-friendly version of the show website is also available at m.bostonseafood.com.
For the third consecutive year, the event is co-located with the New England Food Show. Your registration includes access to this show as well; no additional registration or identification is necessary.
Stressed out? Then check out the Game Lounge on the show floor. Located at booth No. 1785, show attendees can play ping-ping and enjoy adult beverages at the cash bar. The Game Lounge is open from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. each day of the show.
On Twitter? Plug the hashtag #ibss12 into your show-related tweet so others can follow. Also, don’t forget to follow SeafoodSource on Twitter if you don’t already; SeafoodSource now has more than 3,300 followers.
Roaming the show floor? Please stop by SeafoodSource booth No. 1301 to “meet the editor” on Sunday and Monday from 10 to 11 a.m. and 4 to 5 p.m. and on Tuesday from 1 to 3 p.m. Or visit SeaFood Business booth No. 1865.
SeafoodSource is your official news source for the International Boston Seafood Show. The SeafoodSource and SeaFood Business editorial teams will be scouring the show floor and conference rooms for news, so check SeafoodSource regularly for updates and grab a copy of the SeaFood Business show daily as well as the March issue while at the event. Hope to see you in Boston!
