Boston Seafood Show
One of the highlights of the year in our industry is the International Boston Seafood Show (IBSS)
This year, Tom Durkee, Justin Hansen and I made the trek. It was a great experience with opportunities to visit with current suppliers, network with new suppliers and producers and view the latest trends in our industry, all in one place! With over 10k guests over 3 days, the IBSS is the largest show of its kind in the world.
This year was exceptional as the industry was a buzz with new technologies being showcased that promise advances in food safety, traceability (a major emphasis for Central Coast Seafood), efficiencies and software to improve customer service and support. There were also beautiful examples of new products as well as fantastic displays and tastings of many of the finest seafood items available. The many speakers and various panels are excellent sources of information and for learning from many experts in our industry (they're also not a bad spot to catch a breather from walking the massive show). It's interesting to note one of the latest trends was distributors offering education programs for wait staff and retail counter help. This was a program we instituted for our customers several years ago with our Seafood 101 classes.
This show provides us an excellent opportunity to meet with our hard working Suppliers/Producers, review selling trends and ways to improve our own product education, as well as discussing how best to educate our cusomers. I always find it interesting to compare the ways our suppliers approach sharing knowledge of their product. Within our industry, one point most companies can agree on, is consumer knowledge is a key component to expanding seafood sales. The old adage “Knowledge is Key” is definitely true in our industry.
One thing that stood out at this year’s show is that Salmon remains "King" for consumers. Pacific, Atlantic, Sockeye, Chinook...clearly outnumbered all other seafood vendors represented at least 2 to 1. It is readily apparent that in the eyes of consumers, salmon is the defining choice among seafood items. It was also interesting to note the dialogues occurring between the many active environmental groups in our industry and key industy producers and distributors, especially in regards to salmon aquaculture. It is encouraging to see progress being made to advance and improve environmental standards among one of the more controversial aquaculture items (farmed Atlantic salmon). I believe the next 2 years will see real change within this segment of our industry.
  On the show floor, anything and everything seafood could be found and in most cases sampled. From Anchovies to Sushi and Abalone to our own local favorite, Sablefish, Boston offers an opportunity to try just about everything seafood you can think of (the canoll's at Mike's bakery in little Italy aren't bad either). Keep your eyes open for some new items and new sources for old favorites we'll be rolling out throughout the spring. It will be your chance to experience a little of Boston right here on the central coast.
Giovanni Comin
President/Owner
Central Coast Seafood
We posted an album of the IBSS on our Facebook page.
Check it out!
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