New Product Showcase

• All applicants must be exhibitors of Seafood Expo North America/Seafood Processing North America.
• All interested companies must complete an online entry application for each product they wish to enter in the competition. Please READ carefully the application. Each question must be answered. Incomplete entry forms will not be considered.
• New Product applicants are automatically entered into the Seafood Excellence Awards competition.

• All entries will be reviewed by the screening committee to ensure that they meet the eligibility requirements for the competition.
• The best 10-12 products will be chosen as Finalists in the competition.
• Finalists are required to display the product in both raw and prepared states as well as display product packaging.
• Once Finalists have been selected, instructions will be sent on how and where to bring products for the tasting day at the event. The tasting and judging will take place on the first day of the Expo in the exhibit hall.

• Finalists will be judged by a panel of distinguished judges on the first day. This panel of three experts may include foodservice and retail buyers, executive chefs, marketing experts, nutritionists, and consumer advocates.
• All finalists will be asked to provide samples and packaging of their product for the judges to evaluate.
• Awards will be given for the Best New Retail Product and Best New Foodservice Product.
• The winning awards will be announced at the demonstration theater in the exhibit hall on Sunday, March 10, 2024.

Judging Criteria

Criteria                                                                                        % of total

Taste profile

(flavor, texture, aroma, cooked appearance)                                30%

Packaging

(label information, environmental factors, food safety)            15%

Market potential

(potential for commercial success, correct pricing

and profile for target market, value [quality/price ratio])          15%

Convenience

(for the end user and consumer)                                                        15%

Nutritional value

(appropriate for product and meal occasion)                                 10%

Originality                                                                                                 15%

Total                                                                                                          100%  

There is an entry fee for each product submitted. Applications are due by Thursday, February 8, 2024.

First product entry is $640. For more pricing details, and Product Showcase marketing opportunities, see here.