Seafood Expo Asia 2016 features new products, highlights industry issues

THOUSANDS of seafood buyers and suppliers convene at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre for the seventh edition of Seafood Expo Asia, from September 6-8. Visitors from over 86 countries have the opportunity to join lively debates, interactive masterclasses and networking events, while gaining crucial insights to help them grow their businesses in Asia.

Organized by Diversified Communications, this year’s event welcomed international exhibitors from 29 countries, including new exhibiting countries Portugal, Russia and Poland. With the aim of facilitating business opportunities between local seafood producers and trade buyers, this year's exposition sees a total of 13 regional and national pavilions. Featured pavilions include those from Argentina, Australia, Canada, Chile, France, Turkey and the United States, and first-time participant the Hainan Province Aquatic Products Processing and Marketing Association of China.

"Seafood Expo Asia is not only a celebration of the world's finest seafood, but also serves as a critical platform where fish and shellfish buyers from all sectors of the trade can experience what is new, plus hear about where the next big launch, major trend or key idea is coming from," according to Ms Liz Plizga, Seafood Group Vice President for the event's producers Diversified Communications.

"With the Asian seafood sector continuing to evolve and expand rapidly, the exposition provides a taste of what's to come in the industry. It offers seafood professionals the opportunity to learn about upcoming trends and innovations through a program of informative seminars, engaging culinary demonstrations and product launches designed to inspire new marketing ideas and business strategies."

To keep pace with the latest topics, attendees at this year's event can hear from the industry's leading experts on a wide range of seafood related issues from how sustainability is changing Asian markets to the emerging role of e-commerce in helping to grow regional seafood sales.

The 2016 edition features signature masterclasses and culinary demonstrations where distinguished chefs will demonstrate how to delicately prepare premium seafood such as crab, lobster and salmon. Visitors will learn how to source, handle, select and prepare these ingredients, gaining valuable tips that will assist them to better engage with their customers, thus enhancing the overall seafood buying experience.

In addition to these special events, Seafood Expo Asia will hosts a business matchmaking program enabling high volume buyers to search for products and suppliers, as well as pre-arrange meetings. Through this matchmaking online platform and concierge service, more than 70 business meetings took place last year, with a new initiative for 2016 being an importer incentive program where key importers have been invited from specific regions.

With product sourcing proving to be one of the most popular reasons for attendance, a returning highlight is this year's Product Showcase where buyers can preview the newest and finest seafood products, condiments and culinary dishes in the Asian seafood market. Among visitors last year, the Product Showcase was one of the most influential resources in helping attendees identify which exhibitors to visit at the event. Showcased brands for 2016 include unique products from suppliers such as MEMMI, Cellmore, Errigal Bay, SeaWatch International, Tasmanian Seafoods, Bada Global and Seaprime.