Ahold, Delhaize, Metro and Sodexo are among the key buyers with plans to attend Seafood Expo Global/Seafood Processing Global in Brussels, Belgium from 26 to 28 April, according to event organizer Diversified Communications.
Many companies have been reevaluating their attendance at SEG following the 22 March terrorist attacks in Brussels that killed 32 people and injured more than 300. However, Diversified said in a press release Tuesday, 19 April that the 2016 edition of SEG will feature more than 1,650 exhibiting companies from 76 countries, including 72 international and regional pavilions (Note: Diversified Communications owns SeafoodSource).
“A situation like this will have an impact, but exhibitors and buyers recognize the value in having this annual exposition to conduct their business at the global level,” Liz Plizga, group vice president for Diversified, said in the release. “A vast majority of the exhibiting companies have decided to maintain their participation, and only five percent of exhibit space has been cancelled. This number represents a small fraction of the exposition. Regardless of the challenging times the event has faced, it continues to be the world’s most important event for the seafood industry.”
Since the Brussels attacks, thousands of buyers from 102 countries, including Brazil, Canada, China, Germany, Hong Kong, Italy, Norway, Poland, Russia, South Korea and Spain, have registered to attend the exposition, according to Diversified. The company’s press release included several quotes from key buyers representing leading retailers and food service companies that will be attending the expo.
“Brussels is the most important fair in Europe for fish products and offers a real venue for buyers to meet with suppliers and exchange market situations,” an unnamed Sodexo buyer said in the release while confirming his attendance.
In 2015, more than 82 percent of surveyed visitors were involved in purchasing decisions, 80 percent planned on buying products or services as a result of attending the event and 86 percent found new products or companies, according to Diversified’s press release. Despite the disruption the attacks have caused, Diversified expect the event to be a success in 2016, Plizga said.
“Visitors are registering every day and exhibitors are actively preparing for the event,” Plizga said. “It is necessary that we continue to provide business continuity to the seafood community counting on the connections made in Brussels to meet their business goals in the global market.
Plizga said security updates for the event, as well as additional information about the buyers attending the show, can be found at the expo’s website.
