Fish & Seafood

Professor who Forecast Trump, Brexit Wins to Address SENA

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Political economist, author and Brown University Professor Mark Blyth will deliver the keynote address during Seafood Expo North America/Seafood Processing North America (SENA) at 11 AM on Sunday, March 11. Running through March 13 in the Boston Convention & Exhibition Center and featuring 1,340 exhibitors from 56 countries, this year’s show will be the largest in the event’s 38-year history.

Dr. Blyth is well known for his early predictions of both Brexit vote results in the United Kingdom and Donald Trump’s presidential election victory in the United States, and for identifying the phenomenon and coining the phrase “Global Trumpism.” His insights, delivered with no-nonsense Scottish candor and wit, have made the professor a frequent commentator on broadcast networks including Bloomberg and BBC. In the print realm, a Financial Times review of Blyth’s latest book, Austerity, likened his writing to that of John Maynard Keynes.

In comments made shortly after the US election at Brown’s Watson Institute for International and Public Affairs, Blyth spoke about a worldwide working-class backlash against harmful macroeconomic trends.

“What we have everywhere are creditor-debtor standoffs,” he said. “If you look at the states that really fell hard [for Trump] in the Rust Belt, it is economic. Now, if you recognize that simple fact, you can put Trump in there with Brexit.”

Blyth MarkProfessor Mark Blyth will provide the keynote address on the first day of the seafood show in Boston.In Blyth’s upcoming keynote address in Boston, entitled “What Does Globalization 3.0 look like? Global Trade in a World of Local Populism,” the Dundee native will discuss how two phases of historic globalization have put the world in the place it is today, and how a third phase taking shape now will likely influence global seafood markets and business in years to come.

“Every year at SENA, a geographically and culturally diverse group of seafood industry leaders from around the world come together for three days of business,” said Wynter Courmont, the trade show’s director. “Hearing from Professor Blyth on the intricate mesh of globalization, politics, and economics will be incredibly valuable to this globally-minded audience.”

Issues of globalization and international seafood trade will be explored further, and from multiple angles, throughout the balance of the three-day conference program. Topics on the agenda range from seafood products (Maximizing the Whole Fish: How byproducts can increase food production, value, and sustainability) to policy (FDA and Customs Enforcement Actions: what to expect in 2018), to productivity and promotions (E-Commerce: Seafood’s future). Speakers hail from organizations including The National Fisheries Institute, Nielsen, Publix, Hyatt Hotels, HelloFresh US and more.

In addition to the educational conference and trade show, on tap will be numerous social events, networking opportunities and presentations including the highly anticipated 12th Annual Oyster Shucking Competition. For complete event details, visit seafoodexpo.com/north-america.

Among eagerly awaited special events will be the announcement of winners of the Seafood Excellence Awards competition at 3 PM on March 11. As usual, frozen food products dominate the short list of contenders. The awards will be presented to two companies for the “Best New Retail Product” and “Best New Foodservice Product.”

Here is a list and synopsis of products distributed in frozen form that will be in the running for top prizes:

Retail Category

  • handy seafoodHandy Shrimp Power Bites from Handy Seafood International (Stand #823). Free of artificial flavors, colors and preservatives, the finger food is loaded with protein and nutrients.
  • Kitchens Seafood’s Shoreline Feast (Stand #1648) is presented as a way to “bring the traditional New England Clam Bake home with you.” The 4-lb (1.81 kg) offering features mussels, shrimp, clams, corn-on-the-cob, potatoes and Italian sausage.
  • Cedar Bay Grilling Company’s Shrimp Pho Bowl Sous Chef Kit contains shrimp, rice noodles, broth and mixed vegetables in four individual compartments. The product cooks from frozen in 15-20 minutes. Check it out at Stands #3411 and #1444.
  • Cozy Harbor Seafood’s Lobster Tonight Lobster Slider Chef’s Kit. Check it out at Stand #2725.

Foodservice Category

  • Australis Barramundi Hand-Cut Taco Strips from Australis Aquaculture (Stand #1733). Each strip is cut from premium barramundi portions, and then flash-frozen to lock in peak flavor and freshness.
  • Thai Union Chicken of the Sea Yellowfin Tuna Slices 2Thai Union’s Chicken of the Sea brand Yellowfin Tuna Slices (Stand #519) made from a whole loins. They’re sliced and pre-seasoned for use in sandwiches, salads, tacos wraps and more.
  • Trident Seafoods’ Hot & Spicy Alaskan Pollock Fish Sandwich Portions (Stand #805) are promoted as “a superior source of protein with a kick.” The wild-caught product is a good source of Omega-3s, potassium, iron and calcium.

Each finalist’s product will be showcased during the three-day event at the Boston Convention & Exhibition Center.