Canada’s bounty of the seas to be showcased in Boston

North America’s largest seafood exposition attracts over 100 Canadian agencies and companies.

By Fabian Dawson
SeaWestNews

More than 100 seafood companies and fisheries-related agencies will showcase Canada’s bounty of the seas at North America’s largest seafood exposition to be held in Boston next month.

Seafood Expo North America/Seafood Processing North America taking place March 17-19 will be the 39th edition of the expo.

The Canadian presence at Seafood Expo North America/Seafood Processing North America is usually significant and among the top 3 exhibiting countries, said Wynter Courmont of Diversified Communications, which produces the mega event.

“As of today, there are 111 exhibiting companies from Canada signed up for the event in Boston, but that number might change as we get closer to the event,” she told SeaWestNews.

Thousands of buyers and suppliers from around the world attend the annual, three-day exhibition to meet, network and do business.

 Attending buyers represent importers, exporters, wholesalers, restaurants, supermarkets, hotels, and other retail and foodservice companies. Exhibiting suppliers offer the newest seafood products, processing and packaging equipment, and services available in the seafood market.

Last year’s edition featured a record-breaking exhibit space of more than 258,360 net square feet with 1,341 exhibiting companies from 57 countries and over 22,200 total attendees from more than 117 countries.

Among the Canadian speakers at the expo is Jennifer Lambert the sustainability lead at Loblaw Companies, who leads the company’s Food for the Future strategy. Her session is entitled “What Consumers Want: The Future of Sustainable Seafood”.

Another Canadian speaker is Nola Martin who currently leads marketing at Ocean Brands, a leading brand of ambient canned seafood in Canada. She will be speaking about equity in sustainable seafood sourcing.

The keynote speaker is internationally-renowned economist Dr. Lindsey Piegza, who currently serves as Chief Economist at U.S.-based Stifel Fixed Income. She is known for her research and analysis of economic trends in world economies.

“Dr. Piegza’s talk will round out that experience by providing insightful information on the U.S. economy and what it means for the industry,” Courmont said.

Every year the exposition also hosts the Seafood Excellence Awards and the highly-anticipated oyster shucking competition.

The Seafood Excellence Awards annually recognizes the product leaders in the North American seafood market. 

The 13th annual Oyster Shucking Competition will take place on Monday, March 18 at 2:30pm.  During this competition, emceed by Chef Patrick McMurray, Owner/Lead Shucker, The Ceili Cottage in Toronto (pictured), contestants will compete to earn the title as the fastest shucker in the East.

For complete event details, visit seafoodexpo.com

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