Brussels seafood expo postponed
The world’s biggest fish show, Seafood Expo Global in Brussels, has been postponed by organiser Diversified Communications because of the dangers posed by coronavirus, also called Covid-19.
The US company warned that it was considering the move yesterday and confirmed it late this afternoon.
In an email to those due to take part, group vice president Liz Plizga said: “Diversified Communications has made the very difficult decision that, due to the magnitude of the unanticipated public health and safety issues posed by the rapidly escalating Covid-19 outbreaks and contagion, we have no choice but to postpone the upcoming edition of Seafood Expo Global and Seafood Processing Global, which was planned to take place on 21-23 April 2020 at the Brussels Expo in Belgium.
New dates
“The Belgium government has affirmed the risk the outbreak poses with its issuance today of advice to cancel indoor events with more than 1,000 people to contain the spread of the new coronavirus.
“In order to preserve business continuity for our community, we will inform you directly of the new 2020 dates by no later than 18 March 2020 and will post the dates on our website as well.
“Please look for important follow up communications from Diversified and our vendors with logistical details relating to the rescheduled event.
“To provide maximum flexibility to our customers, Diversified expects to offer exhibitors the choice of rolling over exhibit space payments to either the rescheduled 2020 event or the April 2021 event in Barcelona.”
Value support
Plizga said those with further questions can continue to reach the company at sales-global@seafoodexpo.com or customerservice@divcom.com.
“We thank you in advance for your patience as we try to respond to each of you in a timely manner,” said the executive.
“We value the support of everyone involved in the making of this event - our vendors, the local authorities, the venue and, most of all, our partners, friends and customers in the seafood industry.
“We are looking forward to getting this strong seafood community back together in the near future. Until then, we send heartfelt thoughts to those who are affected by Covid-19.”
Earlier today a gill health conference scheduled for April 1-2 in Stirling, Scotland was postponed because of the coronavirus, and Seafood Norway’s conference in Bodø, due to take place on March 31, was cancelled.
