Stepping into the International Boston Seafood Show and Seafood Processing America this past March was like entering a small city, complete with market stalls, vendors, awnings, and umbrellas. The smell of grilled, fried, and raw seafood and the appropriate accompaniments wafted through the Boston Convention and Exhibition Center as visitors made their way down the “streets” of exhibitions.
Since 1982, the International Boston Seafood Show and Seafood Processing America has attracted thousands of seafood professionals, making it the largest annual seafood show in North America. Attendees include buyers from leading restaurants, hotels, resorts, institutions, seafood markets, and supermarkets, as well as distributors/wholesalers, processors, importers, exporters, brokers, and traders. The show features exhibitors representing all areas of the seafood industry including fresh, frozen, live, value-added, branded and private label, as well as processing equipment and services ranging from machinery to refrigeration.
The “fun factor” was unmistakable with a record-breaking crowd attending the 6th annual Oyster Shucking Competition, and with lines for grilled swordfish and ice cream wrapping around stalls. Stand out new products were recognized as part of the annual Seafood Excellence Awards.
On the more serious side, this year’s keynote speaker, Dr. Albert Zeufack, Director of Research & Investment Strategy in Khazanah Nasional Berhad, a Malaysian Sovereign Wealth Fund, talked about how the economic crisis and natural catastrophes impact the seafood industry.
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