Commercial Marine Expo Returns to New Bedford

John Deere at the R.A. Mitchell booth. Fishermen’s Voice photo

The Commercial Marine Expo on the New Bedford waterfront was back after a 1 year hiatus. The Expo organizers plan to have it in New Bedford next year rather than alternate with the Newport, Virginia location as had the previous organizers.

All the both space was sold out, but attendance got mixed reviews by exhibitors. Organizers reported a total of 1000 attendees for the two days, with the first day getting a larger percentage of the total. Exhibitors who relied on attendee sales – clothing, gear and other over the counter sales – rely more on traffic numbers. Business-to-business or exhibitor-to-exhibitor interaction, less so.

The range of exhibitors ran from under water research services to marine engines to a lighting company noted for lighting up an entire Arctic village for an advertising company. Fishermen’s Voice photo

Plans are underway for researching and reconfiguring promotional strategies for the 2017 show.

The Expo, formerly held in the Providence, RI Civic Center was moved to New Bedford about a decade ago. The New Bedford water front was a logical choice for an in-water commercial marine trade show. The New Bedford site reduced costs to exhibitors who wanted to bring in large engines, vessels, equipment, etc. said Expo organizer Anne Green.

The transition to the industrial interior of the State Pier in New Bedford has been a challenge for current and past show organizers. The industry in general wants a show in the region and the Port of New Bedford is a logical choice for several reasons, Green said. Post 2017 alternative regional locations to the State Pier in New Bedford is among the mix of future planning for the event.

Captain Tyler McLaughlin, featured on National Geographic’s “Wicked Tuna” program, at his Expo booth. McLaughlin fishes bluefin tuna out of Rye, New Hampshire. Fishermen’s Voice photo

The current organizers are taking comment from exhibitors and attendees, which they hope will inform their efforts for the 2017 Commercial Marine Expo scheduled for the same location. Green said their company’s long goal is to make the Expo an even more valuable asset to the industry.

The “Ice Man,” AKA Alex Bernt, spent the entire day, 6 hours, on both days of the Expo in a tank filled with ice to demonstrate the White Glacier company’s new survival suit. He spent the days talking with passers by, texting and eating lunch while floating in ice. Fishermen’s Voice photo