{"id":95839,"date":"2026-02-26T09:00:00","date_gmt":"2026-02-26T14:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.seafoodexpo.com\/north-america\/?p=95839"},"modified":"2026-02-26T18:10:25","modified_gmt":"2026-02-26T23:10:25","slug":"seafood-expo-north-america-seafood-processing-north-america-announces-conference-program-addressing-consumer-insights-and-trends-traceability-sustainability-and-more","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.seafoodexpo.com\/north-america\/seafood-expo-north-america-seafood-processing-north-america-announces-conference-program-addressing-consumer-insights-and-trends-traceability-sustainability-and-more\/","title":{"rendered":"Seafood Expo North America\/Seafood Processing North America Announces Conference Program Addressing Consumer Insights and Trends, Traceability, Sustainability and more"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

The conference program, occurring during the three-day event from Sunday, March 15 \u2013 Tuesday, March 17<\/em>, will feature more than 40 sessions with more than 125 industry speakers from companies including Whole Foods Market, Ahold Delhaize USA, NOAA Fisheries, Circana and Leading Seafood and Processing Companies<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

A keynote address fr<\/em>om<\/em> <\/em>Nomi Prins, PhD, <\/em>macro-economist,<\/em> titled, \u201c<\/em>Fork in the Current: The Economic and Trade Realities Shaping Seafood in 2026<\/em>,\u201d will take place at the event in Boston on Sunday, March 15 at 11:00am EST. <\/em> <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Portland, Maine, February 26, 2026<\/strong> \u2013 <\/a>Seafood Expo North America\/Seafood Processing North America<\/a>, the largest seafood trade event in North America, produced by <\/a>Diversified, announces its robust conference program featuring more than 40 sessions with more than 125 industry speakers designed to equip seafood professionals with actionable strategies for navigating today’s complex market landscape. The conference program brings together executives and experts from across the seafood supply chain to address the most pressing challenges and opportunities facing the industry, from shifting consumer behaviors and pricing pressures to regulatory compliance, competitive advantages to traceability, sustainability standards and emerging aquaculture opportunities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Nomi Prins, PhD, macro-economist, geopolitical financial expert and best-selling author will deliver the keynote address, titled \u201cFork in the Current: The Economic and Trade Realities Shaping Seafood in 2026<\/em>,\u201d taking place on Sunday, March 15 at 11:00am EST. Dr. Prins will explore how macro forces from U.S.-China trade tensions to E.U. regulatory shifts, energy price volatility, AI integration and consumer price sensitivity are reshaping cost structures, sourcing strategies and regional demand.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI want to unpack how a viral headline actually connects to so many different parts of the supply chain, whether it’s from frozen to fresh to marketing to repositioning seafood types of strategies to meet that demand and also be involved in growing that demand,\u201d said Nomi Prins, PhD, macro-economist, geopolitical financial expert and best-selling author. \u201cI think that this year, there are so many positives evolving on the bigger picture, and that\u2019s really what I want to bring to everyone that\u2019s invested in the North American marketplace \u2013 this ability to see through the noise and continue on with the trends that are really important to 2026 and to all the parts of the seafood supply chain.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Key Conference Themes and Sessions:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Understanding Today’s Seafood Consumer<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Food Industry Association (FMI) <\/strong>will share results from their annual report surveying consumers on their shopping and eating habits around seafood. The session will give insight into consumer behaviors and how the industry can respond with perspectives from FMI leadership alongside representatives from Hy-Vee and H-E-B, LP.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

L.E.K. Consulting<\/strong> Managing Directors Anshul Gupta and Claire Morgan will explore “Key Seafood Trends in Retail and Foodservice,” <\/em>examining winning product formats, cross-channel strategies and innovation trends that drive category growth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Transforming Traceability into Competitive Advantage<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

In “Transforming Traceability from Compliance Burden to Competitive Advantage<\/em>,” executives from Trace Register<\/strong>, Raw Seafoods Inc<\/strong>., New York Customs Brokers<\/strong>, and Ahold Delhaize USA<\/strong> will reveal how progressive companies are turning regulatory requirements into strategic business assets. The panel will share practical strategies for leveraging data, achieving operational efficiency, and gaining first-mover advantages through technology readiness.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Business Strategy and Workforce Development<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Recognizing the industry’s demographic shifts, “A People-Centered Strategy: The Key to Future-Proofing Your Business and Ensuring a Successful Exit<\/em>” from Seafood People<\/strong> will address succession planning and talent management as family-owned businesses prepare for transitions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Seafood marketing leaders from Alaska, Maine, Massachusetts, and Rhode Island will share best practices in “An A la Carte Menu for Publicly Sponsored Seafood Marketing<\/em>,” offering insights into effective public-private partnerships.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Advancing Sustainability Across the Supply Chain<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The conference features multiple sessions addressing sustainability as both an environmental imperative and business opportunity. In the panel, “Innovation Meets Tradition: Charting a Sustainable Future for U.S. Seafood<\/em>” leaders from Acme Smoked Fish<\/strong>, Euclid Fish Company<\/strong>, Fulton Fish Market Cooperative<\/strong>, Blue Ribbon Fish Co. <\/strong>and Seafood Producers Cooperative<\/strong> will share real-world approaches to climate resilience, supply chain adaptation, and balancing tradition with innovation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Wesley Rose, Senior Vice President of Merchandising for Perishables at Whole Foods Market, <\/strong>Caitlin Leibert, Global Head of Sustainability, Whole Foods\/Amazon Grocery<\/strong>, Kvaroy Arctic CEO Alf-G\u00f8ran Knutsen <\/strong>and Blake Stok, Senior Director of Sustainability at Thai Union <\/strong>will be part of a panel in “The Future of Seafood, Building Trust in Every Bite.\u201d <\/em>The session will discuss how third-party certifications, robust aquaculture standards and advanced traceability systems build consumer trust. With 72% of consumers preferring sustainably sourced seafood, according to the Marine Stewardship Council<\/strong>, this session offers practical insights into meeting growing demand for responsible sourcing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Expanding Aquaculture Opportunities<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Two sessions will explore aquaculture development, opportunities and challenges. “Aquaculture in U.S. Federal Waters \u2014 Opportunities & Challenges<\/em>” will feature Danielle Blacklock, Director of NOAA Fisheries’ Office of Aquaculture<\/strong>, alongside operators from Newport Mussels<\/strong>, Manna Fish Farms<\/strong> and Environmental Defense Fund<\/strong> to examine offshore aquaculture development in U.S. federal waters.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Aquaculture Stewardship Council, Sustainable Fisheries Partnership<\/strong> and Thai Union<\/strong> will present their “Roadmap for Landscape-Level Improvements in Aquaculture<\/em>,” sharing insights on raising environmental and social standards across entire production areas.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The conference program complements the expansive exhibit hall, where thousands of seafood industry professionals connect with suppliers, discover new products, and build relationships that drive business growth. Seafood industry buyers and professionals can learn more about the conference program and register to attend by visiting <\/a>seafoodexpo.com\/north-america<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

# # #<\/p>\n\n\n\n

HOW TO REGISTER: <\/strong>To register as media\/press, please click here<\/a>.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

To register as an attendee, please click here<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

About Seafood Expo North America\/Seafood Processing North America<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Seafood Expo North America\/ Seafood Processing North America is North America\u2019s largest seafood exposition. Thousands of buyers and suppliers from around the world attend the annual, three-day exhibition to meet, network and do business. Attending buyers represent importers, exporters, wholesalers, restaurants, supermarkets, hotels, and other retail and foodservice companies. Exhibiting suppliers offer the newest seafood products, processing and packaging equipment, and services available in the seafood market. The exposition’s Strategic Partner is the National Fisheries Institute. SeafoodSource is the official media. The exposition is produced by Diversified, the international leader in seafood-industry expositions and media including Seafood Expo Global\/Seafood Processing Global and Seafood Expo Asia\/Seafood Processing Asia. For more information, visit: <\/a>www.seafoodexpo.com\/north-america<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

About Diversified<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Diversified is a global B2B events and media company that strengthens business communities by fostering a space, in person and online, for professionals and businesses to connect and grow. The company serves as a trusted partner across several industries including active lifestyle, business management, clean energy, commercial marine, healthcare, seafood, technology and more. Established in 1949 and headquartered in Portland, Maine, the global company has divisions and offices around the world in Australia, Canada, Hong Kong and the United Kingdom. Diversified is a third-generation, family-owned business. For more information, visit: <\/a>www.divcom.com<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Media Contact<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Lindsey Robinson, PR Specialist<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Diversified<\/p>\n\n\n\n

LRobinson@divcom.com<\/p>\n\n\n\n

207-842-5573<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

The conference program, occurring during the three-day event from Sunday, March 15 \u2013 Tuesday, March 17, will feature more than 40 sessions with more than 125 industry speakers from companies including Whole Foods Market, Ahold Delhaize USA, NOAA Fisheries, Circana and Leading Seafood and Processing Companies A keynote address from Nomi Prins, PhD, macro-economist, titled, \u201cFork in the Current: […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":80,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"inline_featured_image":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[43],"tags":[106],"class_list":["post-95839","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-news-article","tag-sena25-news"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.seafoodexpo.com\/north-america\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/95839","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.seafoodexpo.com\/north-america\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.seafoodexpo.com\/north-america\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.seafoodexpo.com\/north-america\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/80"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.seafoodexpo.com\/north-america\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=95839"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.seafoodexpo.com\/north-america\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/95839\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.seafoodexpo.com\/north-america\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=95839"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.seafoodexpo.com\/north-america\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=95839"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.seafoodexpo.com\/north-america\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=95839"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}