The 35th edition of Seafood Expo North America, held March 15-17 in Boston, broke records with more than 20,680 seafood professionals participating, according to Diversified Communications, the shows producer and parent company of SeafoodSource.
“This year’s exposition is by far the largest edition in the event’s history in terms of exhibit space and participation, reflecting the importance of doing business in the North American market,” said Liz Plizga, seafood group VP at Diversified. “This has been an incredible year and feedback from exhibitors has been positive.”
The exhibit hall featured 220,130 square feet of exhibit space with 1,204 exhibiting companies from 51 countries. New and expanded country participation included Brazil, Canada, Senegal, Morocco, China, Ecuador and Spain.
“This is the first time that a Brazilian Minister of Fisheries and Aquaculture came to an international expo,” said first time Boston exhibitor Emerson Raiol, head of service – international for the country’s ministry of fisheries and aquaculture. “Mr. Helder Barbalho was very pleased to see the significant representation of Brazil at the exposition and is considering expanding the Brazilian presence next year.”
In addition to the exhibits, attendees had the opportunity to participate in a series of special events including a conference program on the most relevant topics in the seafood industry, culinary demonstrations by renowned chefs and networking opportunities.
Daniel Notkin of Notkins Oyster Bar beat out 13 other contestants to win the 9th annual oyster shucking competition on the second day of the exposition.
At the 2015 Seafood Excellence Awards, which recognizes product leaders in the North American seafood market, Yihe Corporation won the “Best New Retail” award for its Alaskan jack’s and High Liner Foods won the “Best New Foodservice” award for its pulled BBQ salmon.
“Seafood Expo North America was a great opportunity for Absolutely Lobster to launch its new products. We definitely reached our goals and created new connections,” said Nickie Boston, director of brand marketing for Absolutely Lobster and Seafood Excellence Awards finalist.
A press release issued on April 2, 2015 by Trade Shows News Network (TSNN) announced that Seafood Expo North America/Seafood Processing North America made the 2014 TSNN Top 250 Trade Show List. The list represents the top 250 trade shows held in 2014 in the United States ranked by net square footage.
The 36th edition of Seafood Expo North America/Seafood Processing North America will take place on 6 to 8 March 2016 at the Boston Convention & Exhibition Center.
