Mission to the European Seafood Exposition
Brussels, Belgium, April 28-30, 2009
The Aquaculture Association of Nova Scotia in partnership with the Atlantic Canada Opportunities agency and the Atlantic Provincial Seafood Trade Group invite you to participate in the trade mission to the European Seafood Exposition in Brussels.
Recruitment is currently underway for up to 10 companies and organizations in the Atlantic Canada seafood and aquaculture industry looking to take advantage of this opportunity to showcase their products and services to the European market. We are also seeking up to 5 new Atlantic companies to accompany the mission on an educational/research mission.
Mission features included for the 10 exhibiting firms are:
- exhibition at the show,
- pre-mission market intelligence,
- matchmaking services,
- networking events,
- seminars,
- training and mentoring, and
- trade materials and literature.
Mission features included for non-exhibiting firms are: pre-mission market intelligence, networking events, matchmaking services, seminars, trade materials and literature and training and mentoring.
All Atlantic seafood exports to Europe will be represented. Pre-mission market intelligence, showcase/networking events, trade materials and literature will feature Live and Frozen Lobster, Mussels, Snow Crab and fresh products.
This mission provides an opportunity for Atlantic Canadian companies to access the European market. The European Union (one of the world’s largest trading blocks) is a leader in per capita consumption of seafood and are net importers of seafood. The European expectation of high quality fresh and live seafood affords Atlantic Canadian companies exciting opportunities.
The European Seafood Exposition (ESE) is the world’s largest and most important seafood trade show. In 2007, it occupied over 31,000 square metres and featured more than 1,600 exhibitors from over 100 countries. Top buyers and key decision makers from around the world attended this show to discover new products, innovative processing equipment and industry trends.
Delegates have achieved excellent results at this event in past years. During the 2007 mission over 62% of delegates made on-site sales, and over 57 prospective sales leads were identified. This year we will build upon the success of past missions by solidifying previous partnerships, and creating new market leads and strategic alliances. The feature product selected this year by the Atlantic Seafood working group is snow crab, and we will emphasize fresh products.
The European Seafood Exposition is organized by pavilion. Because the buyer often associates a “brand” by nation and then sources regions or companies within that structure, we in Atlantic Canada will be part of the Canadian Pavilion. The Canadian Pavilion features meeting space, product showcases, information - coordination services, brand recognition. As a Canadian exhibitor, you will benefit from the pavilion's complete turnkey booths supported by pre-show publicity and promotion, on-site professional logistical management and the services of a Canadian chef for product demonstrations.
A mission fee for exhibiting firms of $8500+HST will include exhibition at the show, pre-mission market intelligence, matchmaking services, networking events, seminars and site visits, training and mentoring, and trade literature. The $500 + HST mission fee for non-exhibitors also includes pre-mission market intelligence, networking events, seminars, training and mentoring. Companies are responsible for their own travel and accommodation expenses. Targeted companies include existing exporters and companies looking to expand their markets.
For more information about exhibitors or how to participate, please contact your provincial government representative.