TAMPA, FLORIDA – The Gulf Seafood Marketing Coalition (Coalition) hosted an official kick-off event and launched its website – www.eatgulfseafood.com – at the 2012 International Boston Seafood Show. With more than 980 exhibitors and 18,000 plus buyers and sellers from all over the world, the show presented an excellent opportunity to introduce the organization as well as increase awareness of the seafood produced from the Gulf of Mexico.
“We began the day with a breakfast reception for approximately 125 guests including seafood buyers from prominent retailers and restaurants. Coalition members shared information about ongoing marketing efforts and guests were treated to Gulf Seafood Stuffed Breakfast Crepes with Mornay Sauce, a recipe that was created for the event,” said Mike Voisin, Chairman of the Coalition and President of the Foundation.
The Coalition unveiled its new website at the breakfast that launched to the public shortly after the reception. The site will be the official Gulf Coast source for consumers, media, seafood buyers and Gulf enthusiasts. The website includes: Gulf news, information about the Coalition, Gulf tourism, recipes, Gulf species, where to buy/find Gulf Seafood products, seafood safety, press announcements, and recipes. The site features information from all five Gulf States and links to each state’s seafood marketing organization.
The Coalition closed its launch day with a panel, Development of a Regional Seafood Marketing Coalition, the Gulf of Mexico Experience. Coalition members shared results from a nationwide consumer survey on seafood buying patterns. Overall the survey indicated that two out of ten consumers account for 46 percent of the consumption of seafood. Gulf seafood’s appealing qualities include healthy, variety, flavorful and comfort food. Speakers included: Chris Nelson – Bon Secour Fisheries; Joanne McNeely – Gulf and South Atlantic Fisheries Foundation, Inc.; Mike Voisin – Motivatit Seafood; Patrick Riley – Western Seafood Company Inc.; Robert Novotny – Bonefish Grill and Andy Furner – Trace Register LLC.
“All attendees expressed excitement and support for the launch of the Coalition and the website,” said Chris Nelson, Vice Chairman of the Coalition. “We had great conversations with industry leaders and we’re looking forward to building on the positive momentum for Gulf Coast Seafood.”
For more information about the Gulf Seafood Marketing Coalition please contact Judy Jamison, Executive Director, Gulf & South Atlantic Fisheries Foundation, Inc. at judy.jamison@att.net – 813-286-8390 or Joanne McNeely at mcneely.joanne@gmail.com – 850-224-1129.
About Gulf Seafood Marketing Coalition
The Coalition provides a framework for the seafood community to coordinate marketing efforts among the Gulf States with emphasis on working with tourism boards, restaurants, retailers and chefs. The Gulf & South Atlantic Fisheries Foundation, Inc. is coordinating the Gulf Seafood Marketing Coalition through funding provided by the Gulf States Marine Fisheries Commission’s (NOAA Award #NA10NMF4770481). For more information, please visit www.eatgulfseafood.com and follow the Coalition on Facebook at Gulf Coast Seafood and Twitter at @eatgulfseafood.
About Gulf & South Atlantic Fisheries Foundation, Inc.
The Foundation is a private, regional nonprofit research organization with a general membership and Board of Trustees representing a wide spectrum of the commercial fishing industry throughout the southeast U.S. Through the Foundation, the commercial seafood and fishing industry can collectively identify industry needs, and address those needs through appropriate research and other activities. Representing the nine-state region from Virginia to Texas, the Foundation has sponsored more than 600 fisheries related research projects.
For more information, please visit www.gulfsouthfoundation.org.
Source: Gulf Seafood Marketing Coalition
