Seafood Expo Asia: New location, dates announced

Diversified Communications has announced that the 2020 edition of Seafood Expo Asia is planned to take place from 18 to 20 November in Singapore.

The new location for the 10^th edition of the  event – which was previously hosted in Hong Kong – is at the Singapore EXPO, in Hall 2. For the first time, the event will also be co-located with Asia Fruit Logistica, the leading continental trade show for Asia’s fresh produce business – which, in 2019, brought more than 800 exhibitors from 40 countries together to meet with more than 12,000 trade professionals from around the world.

“Moving to Singapore this year will provide our exhibitors and buyers the opportunity to connect and further explore business potential throughout Asia,” Diversified Communications Group Vice President Liz Plizga said in a press release. “The decision is based on feedback from our customers on the potential of the Asian seafood market. Our third-party research also reaffirmed the growing need for buyers in these markets to meet international seafood suppliers.”

Singapore was chosen by Diversified Communications due to its positioning as a business hub for global trade, reinforcing Seafood Expo Asia’s connections to international seafood suppliers, the company said.

Previous editions of Seafood Expo Asia took place in September. Hosting the event later in the year, the company said, “presents the opportunity for seafood suppliers and buyers to capture year-end business and prepare for the year ahead” as the economy in the region reopens in the aftermath of the COVID-19 crisis.

“We are pleased that Diversified Communications has chosen Singapore to host Seafood Expo Asia in 2020 and are committed to working closely with them towards a successful event. Singapore has a strong reputation as a preferred destination for business events and we are confident in the long-term prospects of the industry,” Singapore Tourism Board Executive Director of Exhibitions and Conferences Andrew Phua said. “We look forward to welcoming the delegates to Singapore in November.”

SingEx Holdings, the company that manages Singapore EXPO, said it is committed to maintaining rigorous safety standards to ensure Seafood Expo Asia attendees will encounter a worry-free environment.

“We are proud to be playing host to Seafood Expo Asia at Singapore EXPO and MAX Atria for the first time. With the necessary hygiene and precautionary measures put in place, we are committed to providing the organizers, exhibitors, and attendees a safe and comfortable environment where they can network and forge new partnerships at ease,” SingEx Holdings Executive Director of Brand and Customer Experience Alvin Lim said. “Located within the global node of Asia, it is an honor for us in Singapore to be giving the seafood community a space and platform where they can grow their businesses. We look forward to welcoming all of them in November.”

Co-locating Seafood Expo Asia with Asia Fruit Logistica will “facilitate the sourcing requirements of perishable food procurement professionals,” Diversified Communications said.

“Our co-location demonstrates the importance of face-to-face trade shows as the world emerges from this global pandemic, and it also underlines the relevance of Singapore as a preferred location for event organizers around the world,” said Will Wollbold, the commercial director of Global Produce Events, which organizes Asia Fruit Logistica.

The event will also feature the third edition of the Young Chef Challenge, which this year will recognize the next generation of culinary talent in Singapore.

“Seafood Expo Asia and Asia Fruit Logistica share the same aspiration of providing business continuity to the retail and foodservice sector in the Asian market,” Plizga said. “Together, the events provide a convenient one-stop sourcing location for international buyers in Asia looking for global suppliers of all types of seafood, as well as fresh fruit and vegetables. We are thrilled to collaborate with Asia Fruit Logistica in delivering a safe and healthy forum for the perishable food sector.”