Suppliers and Buyers Looking Forward to Getting Back Together at
Seafood Expo North America/Seafood Processing North America
Portland, Maine (March 3, 2022) — In less than two weeks, the highly anticipated Seafood Expo North America/Seafood Processing North America, produced by Diversified Communications, will bring back together the seafood industry to reconnect and conduct business face-to-face. The 2022 edition, taking place March 13-15 at the Boston Convention and Exhibition Center, will welcome suppliers ready to present their seafood products, equipment, packaging and services to industry buyers.
“The event currently has more than 830 exhibiting companies in over 180,000sf of exhibit space. Representing 70% the size of the event in 2019 and still being by far the largest gathering of seafood professionals in North America is an impressive offering of value to seafood buyers in a year impacted by COVID-19,” said Wynter Courmont, Event Director, Diversified Communications.
Attending buyers will be able to meet with a notable list of seafood and processing companies from 50 countries, many new companies, and many well known in the industry including Avramar, Camanchaca, Chicken of the Sea, Clearwater, Cooke Aquaculture, Eastern Fish, Eastern Fisheries, Gumusdoga, Handy International, Hofseth, Inland Seafood, Lenger Seafood Group, Lund’s Fisheries, Kilic, Mazzetta Company, Northern Wind, Ocean Beauty, Orca Bay, Pacific Seafood Group, PrimStar BV, Seattle Shrimp, Southwind Foods, Trident Seafood, and Viciunai Group, to name a few.
New companies that have recently committed to the event include Export Partner/NEC, Australian Trade (Austrade), Amende & Shultz, Blue Evolution, Devi Seafoods, Inc, Maldives Fisheries Promotions Board, Superior Lobster and Vietocean Seafood Vietnam. A growing list of exhibitors can be viewed here: https://www.seafoodexpo.com/
“The Australian Trade and Investment Commission is excited to be participating in the Seafood Expo in 2022 for the first time,” Rachel Moody, Senior Trade Director – Food & Beverage, Australian Trade and Investment Commission (Austrade). “Our goal is to highlight the variety and value of Australian seafood and introduce North American industry and partners to our producers. We will be supporting up to 12 companies, promoting a variety of species from abalone to rock lobster to finfish while at the show.”
Chairman MPDA, The Marine Products Export Development Authority (MPEDA) from India explained that “MPEDA is looking forward to participating in the Boston event in 2022 with 11 companies and showcasing the diversified Indian seafood products ranging from chilled, frozen and ready to eat/cook products which include shrimp, cuttlefish, squid, fish fillets, breaded & battered products. It will be a wonderful opportunity to see the seafood professionals again all under one roof. Nothing beats a face-to-face interaction.”
Companies across both sides of the aisle recognize the value in having this annual event and are counting on the 40th edition to boost their business and build new relationships.
“The Boston show definitely is attributed to our success,” commented Keith Singleton, President-Value Added Division, Alaskan Leader Seafoods. “Starting from a little booth back in the corner with one item to where we are today with a collage of recipes, packaging and species. It’s been a wonderful ride.”
“I have been attending the Seafood Expo in Boston as a buyer for many years, and I am looking forward to attending this March,” explained Brad Clark, Chief Supply Chain Officer at Captain D’s. “This event is a great opportunity for me to meet with my existing suppliers as well as meet new suppliers and look for new products to carry in our restaurants. After 2 years of not being able to meet in person, it is more important now than ever to be able to attend the expo to do business.”
Buying decisions are made during and immediately after the exposition. In the last edition, 85 percent of surveyed visitors were involved or influence purchasing decisions, 71 percent planned on making a purchase as a result of attending the event and 88 percent found new products or companies.
With less than two weeks left, high-volume buyers from retail and foodservice companies continue to express their interest in the event and have registered to attend the 2022 edition of Seafood Expo North America, including Acme, Albertsons, Bloomin’ Brands, Captain D’s, Costco, Darden, Delaware North, Foodbuy, Giant Eagle, H-E-B, Jewel Osco, Kroger, Loblaw, Long John Silvers, McDonald’s, PFG, Publix, Red Lobster, Sam’s Club, Stop & Shop, Sysco, Target, The Cheesecake Factory, Walmart, Wegmans, Whole Foods, US Foods, and many more.
“Our team is excited to attend this year’s Seafood Expo North America. Our industry has changed significantly in the past two years. Consumer preferences are different, suppliers have expanded/narrowed their product offerings, and new associates have joined our teams,” said Josephine Theal, Director Category Management, Food, Delaware North. “More than ever, we need valuable partnerships to plan ahead for what’s next. Our team has determined that attending the show will help us achieve this in the best way.”
One-stop shop for product sourcing
Throughout the past two years seafood buyers have had challenges sourcing new products, and yet the need for new products has grown as North American consumers became more comfortable cooking seafood at home. Experts predict this growing retail demand will continue, at the same time as restaurant business continues to rebound and consumers look for new products. This year’s event will feature 86 new and featured product showcase entries from 35 exhibiting companies—a one-stop shop for buyers looking for new and creative products and solutions.
“Royal Greenland is excited to exhibit at SENA 2022. Building awareness and connecting with customers at this key industry event promotes our mission to bring wild-caught, high-quality seafood from the North Atlantic and the Arctic Ocean to consumers around the globe,” stated Kerry Clift, Marketing Manager North America, Royal Greenland
Among the new products submitted as part of the prestigious Seafood Excellence Awards competition, two will receive the award for Best New Retail Product and Best New Foodservice Product. Winners will be revealed on Sunday, March 13 at 3:00pm at the event.
“I always find the Seafood Expo a very valuable experience in terms of education, product innovation and relationship building. There is a huge opportunity in the US to improve the per capita consumption of seafood,” commented Rich Castle, Director of Seafood, Giant Eagle Inc. “The Seafood Expo allows a lot of very smart people to share ideas and push forward products and processes that will improve sustainability, efficiencies and customer acceptance. Myself and my team will be attending because we always come home energized and focused on implementing new products, processes and services that will help drive our desire to be “best in class” seafood departments.”
A comprehensive educational conference agenda
Through the three-day event, Seafood Expo North America’s conference program will offer more than 28 informative sessions led by seafood industry experts. Attendees will take away practical information pertaining the most important and timely issues relevant to today’s seafood business environment. Highlighted sessions include a keynote address, by Megan Greene, Global Economist, Financial Times Columnist and Senior Fellow, Harvard Kennedy School, Economic Outlook for 2022, and a plenary session, Three Ways to Incorporate a Diversity and Inclusion Program to Benefit Your Business, presented by Tony Byers, PhD, Former Director, Global Diversity & Inclusion, Starbucks.
Seafood industry buyers and professionals can learn more about Seafood Expo North America/Seafood Processing North America and register to attend by visiting seafoodexpo.com/north-america.
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