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Commercial Fisheries News
Volume 37 Number 11
July 2010
Expo’s back in business
High marks for CME’s move to New Bedford
NEW BEDFORD, MA– A renamed, relocated, and refocused Commercial Marine Expo (CME) opened to mostly rave reviews from exhibitors and attendees here during its two-day run at the State Pier June 9-10.
Show director Ted Hugger took some bold strides this year to revamp the former Fish Expo-Atlantic event. Most noticeable was the decidedly “dressed down” look of the show – bare concrete floors in the aisles, less fancy signage, and much more of a waterfront feel.
In fact, in his director’s message on the first page of the show guide, Hugger warned, “A word of caution. The State Pier is a working warehouse and pier. Watch your step.” And some folks did have to dodge the pigeons that swooped in through the hall from time to time.
But the locale was a winner. The aisles filled up quickly shortly after the show opened and most exhibitors seemed pleased with both the quantity and quality of show traffic, especially in the current economy.
“We’re still tabulating registration data at this time, but preliminary reports indicate we had approximately 3,300 industry professionals attend this year’s show,” Hugger said.
Veteran exhibitors like Bob Mitchell of the R.A. Mitchell Co. in Fairhaven said Hugger seemed to have succeeded in breathing new life into the venerable old show.
“This is a better location, a more economical and user-friendly venue, and, as for show traffic, I was busy for the most part,” Mitchell said. “It was a mix – some fishermen, some work boat people, what have you – but all good quality. I was satisfied.”
R.A. Mitchell was among more than 150 companies exhibiting at this year’s CME. Counting inside booths, outside display space, and in-the-water boat exhibits, Hugger said CME included just over 300 “booth equivalents,” which represents a 31% increase over the 2008 show in Providence, RI.
City, state support
While many factors contributed to the show’s overall success, Hugger said the move to New Bedford was pivotal.
“The most gratifying aspect of this year’s event was the way industry and governmental communities came together to promote and produce CME in a new location,” he said.
“From Mayor Scott Lang’s office, to Kristin Decas and her staff at the New Bedford Harbor Development Commission, to city and state employees who worked tirelessly throughout the buildup and show days, the outpouring of support and assistance was unprecedented,” Hugger said.
He added that the Office of Gov. Deval Patrick even came to the rescue by authorizing an 11th hour repair to the building when a portion of the roof was blown off during a huge storm a few days before the show.
Other draws
While the exhibits at CME were obviously the key draw, many attendees looked in on the industry seminar programs hosted by Commercial Fisheries News and Professional Mariner magazine.
The ZF Beer Garden and Restaurant, right off the show floor was also a convenient spot for a quick bite or a cold beverage – and a good spot to view the industry films that were continuously running in the CFN Theater.
In keeping with tradition, CME was also the scene again this year for National Fisherman magazine’s presentation of its prestigious Highliner Awards.
This year’s recipients were: Jim Odlin of Atlantic Trawlers, Portland, ME; David Spencer of the fishing vessel Nathaniel Lee, Jamestown, RI; and Bob Evans of the fishing vessel Tempest, Churchton, MD.
Hugger has confirmed plans to return to New Bedford with the CME in June 2012.
In the meantime, however, the traditionally biennial show is going annual next year.
Commercial Marine Expo is scheduled for June 15-16, 2011 at the Half Moone Cruise Ship Terminal in Norfolk, VA. /cfn/
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