The annual competition for new retail and food service products created from Alaska seafood is being postponed from November to the spring of 2021, due to concerns over the COVID-19 pandemic, organizers of the Alaska Symphony of Seafood said.
The Alaska Fisheries Development Foundation made the call Monday, Sept. 21, based on concerns over too many uncertainties about the impact of the novel coronavirus on travel and mass gatherings.
The AFDF announcement said the foundation found it would be impossible to hold an in-person event that would provide an experience that the Alaska seafood industry finds so valuable within the Symphony. Meanwhile the foundation is exploring possibilities to hold virtual events throughout the year celebrating past Symphony winners along with new value-added products made from Alaska seafood.
The Symphony is designed to support and promote the Alaska seafood industry with 100 percent support from the industry itself. AFDF formerly held Symphony galas during November in Seattle, where judging was done. Tickets were available to the public to sample all entries and vote for their favorite. A similar event was held in Anchorage early in the following year. Several years ago, AFDF opted instead to hold the second gala in Juneau, with state legislators comprising most of the guests, and holding the presentation of awards there.
Past winners, including major seafood processing firms and small private businesses have gone on to present products to thousands of participants at Seafood Expo North America in Boston, formerly the Boston Seafood Show.
Major sponsors of last year’s Symphony included the Alaska Seafood Marketing Institute, Bristol Bay Regional Seafood Development Association, Lineage Logistics, Trident Seafoods, Marine Stewardship Council, Northwest Fisheries Association, Alaska Air Cargo, At-Sea Processors Association and United Fishermen of Alaska. A complete list of sponsors of the 2019-20 event is at afdf.org.
