COVID-19 delays inaugural Seafood Expo Global/Seafood Processing Global in Barcelona

The first edition of Seafood Expo Global/Seafood Processing Global to take place in Barcelona has been pushed back due to COVID-19.

The 28th edition of the world’s largest seafood expo, which was scheduled to take place in Barcelona, Spain from 7 to 9 September, 2021, will now take place 26 to 28 April, 2022, Portland, Maine, U.S.A.-based organizer Diversified Communications announced on Wednesday, 26 May. [Editor’s note: Diversified Communications also owns and operates SeafoodSource].

The 2022 edition of the event will take place at the Fira de Barcelona Gran Via venue, which was set to host the event in April 2021 after a move from Brussels, until the COVID-19 pandemic forced its postponement to September.

“Keeping our customers’ best interest in mind is our top priority,” Diversified Communications Group Vice President Liz Plizga said in a press release. “After evaluation of suppliers and buyers’ concerns around the continued uncertainties caused by the ongoing COVID-19 situation worldwide, it became evident that 2021 would still be too soon to host an international event that would provide the global experience the seafood community would find valuable.” 

Plizga said the complexities of the various COVID-19 regulations and governmental restrictions around the world “make it impossible to hold a large-scale global event in September 2021.”

Diversified is looking forward to welcoming seafood industry professionals at the next edition of Seafood Expo Global in 2022, Plizga said.

“We are committed to Barcelona,” Plizga said. “We will continue working with Fira de Barcelona and the city to ensure we can host a valuable in-person event that will bring back, at the Gran Via venue in 2022, the international representation that makes Seafood Expo Global/Seafood Processing Global the global seafood marketplace and the largest seafood trade event in the world.” 

Diversified said it is expecting around 29,000 industry professionals from 158 countries at its 2022 event, according to Diversified Communications Event Director Wynter Courmont.

“We have already received contracts for the 2022 edition and strong participation interest from all sectors of the global seafood industry. We look forward to having the most successful first edition in the beautiful city of Barcelona, Spain,” Courmont said.

Courmont said Diversified will aim to provide events and other networking and business-related activities in the interim time before the 2022 event.

“Until the 2022 edition in Barcelona, we will be exploring online event opportunities to connect suppliers and buyers together and keep the seafood community informed on the latest topics in the industry,” she said.