BARCELONA, Spain — The 28th edition of Seafood Expo Global/Seafood Processing Global, the world’s largest seafood trade show, exceeded all expectations when it closed at the end of April at the Fira de Barcelona Gran Vía in Barcelona. A total of 1,550 exhibiting companies from 76 different countries and 26,630 seafood buyers and suppliers from around the world generated an estimated economic impact of €100 million ($105 million) for the city.
Event organizer Diversified Communications said that while the conflict between Russia and Ukraine and the quarantine in China led to fewer exhibitors, the number of buyers at the first edition of the trade show in Barcelona surpassed 2019 figures. “In a year marked by geopolitical issues and COVID-19 restrictions, being able to host an event that is 98% larger than the largest edition ever is a testament to the industry’s readiness to come together in person again,” said Liz Plizga, vice president of Diversified Communications Group. The show had been postponed several times due to COVID, with its original dates of September 7-9, 2021, rescheduled to April 26-28, 2022, and cancelled in April 2020, when it was scheduled to be held at its previous location in Brussels.
Highlights of the trade event included the event’s prestigious awards competition, the Seafood Excellence Global Awards, recognising the best products represented at the Expo; a programme of over 20 educational sessions presented by more than 65 leading international industry experts; and seafood donations from exhibitors to Barcelona’s food bank, Banc dels Aliments.
The trade event came on the heels of Diversified’s U.S. trade show, Seafood Expo North America/Seafood Processing North America, which was held March 13-15, 2022, at the Boston Convention and Exhibition Center.
Ranked five times in Trade Fair ManagerRanked Gold 100 (from 2015 to 2019) and twice in the Fastest 50 (2014 and 2017), the 2022 edition of the show brought together more than 830 exhibiting companies from 50 countries.
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The two shows are part of Diversified Communications’ global seafood portfolio, which also includes Seafood Expo Asia, which will be held September 14-16 in Singapore, and SeafoodSource.com, the official media outlet for Seafood Expo events. It’s a powerful combination for Diversified, which produces shows and events across 15 industries, including accounting and finance, building and construction, and technology, among others.
Next year’s edition of Seafood Expo Global/Seafood Processing Global will take place from April 25 to 27 in Barcelona, at the Fira de Barcelona Gran Via.
Contact Liz Plizga at (207) 842-5500 or [email protected]
LINKS
- Understanding the changing mindsets of trade show attendees
- Seafood Expo Global/Seafood Processing Global comes to Barcelona
- Seafood Expo Asia goes virtual