Making a Splash in Boston at SENA24

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Making a Splash in Boston at SENA24

This industry event is shrimply irresistible! The Seafood Expo North America takes place in Boston every year and is the place for suppliers, wholesalers, commercial farms, food brands, and other professionals in food and beverage to discover the hottest trends. As the largest seafood expo in North America, it is the perfect event to dive into the vibrant seafood industry and get to know its key players. 

This three-day show attracts exhibitors and buyers from all over the U.S. and abroad, showcasing the latest innovations, products, and equipment in the seafood industry. Our Chief Revenue Officer, Christopher Carson, was in Boston for the expo and shared some of the most memorable moments with us.

Taking a Bite Out of the Seafood Industry

Although we have clients in the seafood industry, it was ATF’s first time at Seafood Expo North America. Our team had a blast discovering the ins and outs of the show, as well as exploring the stunning Boston Convention Center. It is clear that this industry is home to a tight-knit community, and everyone we met there was very welcoming. A truly unforgettable part of the show was the oyster shucking contest where contestants race the clock and each other to shuck 12 oysters each as cleanly as possible to present to the judges and one lucky shucker is named the winner. It’s as big of a deal as it sounds.

Seafood Excellence Awards

One of the highlights for us was the Seafood Excellence Awards ceremony where nominees and winners were celebrated for their innovation in two prestigious award categories: Best New Retail Product and Best New Foodservice Product. The recognition for these companies was inspiring and certain to give them a significant leg up as they promote their products in the market this year.

Maine Seafood Reception

As a show that has been running for the last 40 years, there is no shortage of satellite events to participate in. A lot of big names in the industry were there to represent, including Janet T. Mills, Governor of Maine, who made an appearance at the Maine Seafood Reception, an event put on to showcase seafood suppliers from all across the state of Maine and allow them to network and share their incredible products with buyers from all over the country.

The Best of Boston

While the show was full of tasty seafood bites, our Chief Revenue Officer, Christopher Carson particularly enjoyed visiting the Union Oyster House, which is the oldest continuously run restaurant in the world! One of the most enjoyable parts of attending the Seafood Expo North America is visiting the historic city of Boston. 

While the show was full of tasty seafood bites, our Chief Revenue Officer, Christopher Carson particularly enjoyed visiting the Union Oyster House, which is the oldest continuously run restaurant in the world! One of the most enjoyable parts of attending the Seafood Expo North America is visiting the historic city of Boston. 

Happy Hour with ATF

Our experience at industry events has taught us that some of the best conversations happen in less formal settings. That’s why we decided to put together a Happy Hour with our friends at BigCommerce ! This exclusive event took place on the Boston Waterfront at Flight Club Social at the end of Day 2 of SENA24. Plenty of cold drinks were enjoyed alongside a few friendly games of darts. At ATF, we value getting to know the people in the industries we work with. Our team had a wonderful time getting to spend time with the teams from The Crab Place, Wild Alaskan, Pure Shrimp, Hilo Fish Company, Trident Seafood, and Ocean’s Choice at the show.

The Seafood Expo North America is a pivotal event for the seafood and adjacent industries. With its immense showcase of the latest equipment and products, it’s no surprise that buyers attend year after year to stay in the know about the newest innovations and offerings. Our team thoroughly enjoyed the expo, as well as the opportunity to foster and make valuable connections with new friends, and old. Above The Fray is looking forward to next year’s show (and plenty more oysters)! See you next year, Boston!