Conxemar kicks off a new edition of the International Exhibition
- Once again, the Exhibition fills all available space with 812 exhibitors, 42 more than in the previous edition, from 46 countries
- The president of Conxemar, Eloy García, calls for the expansion of IFEVI to continue growing, and the Spanish Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, Luis Planas, describes the event as ‘the great fishing fair in Spain and internationally’
The 26th International Frozen Seafood Exhibition (Conxemar) opened its doors this morning in Vigo, consolidating its position as one of the major international events in the sector. Once again, the Exhibition has filled all available space, with 812 exhibitors—42 more than last year—from 46 countries, spread over 37,000 square metres, confirming the international nature of an event that ranks among the three most important in the world in the frozen food sector.
The official opening was attended by the Spanish Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, Luis Planas, the Mayor of Vigo, Abel Caballero, and the Regional Minister for the Sea, Marta Villaverde, together with representatives of the FAO, the Regional Government of Galicia and the Vigo Free Trade Zone.
The president of Conxemar, Eloy García, highlighted that Vigo is once again the ‘epicentre of blue protein’ and defended the need for an institutional agreement between the Regional Government, the City Council and the Free Trade Zone to expand the exhibition centre. In this regard, he recalled that every 6,000 square metres of expansion generates an economic impact of €20 million, ‘much more than the cost of a pavilion’.
The president of Conxemar stressed that the Association is an ‘unbeatable brand’ made up of more than 230 companies with an annual turnover of €11.9 billion and generating more than 20,000 direct jobs.
He also highlighted the role of the exhibition as a driver of innovation and economic development. In this regard, the last edition of Conxemar generated €847 million in turnover, an estimated economic impact of €235 million in Vigo and its metropolitan area, and more than 6,500 jobs linked to the event.
For his part, Minister Luis Planas described Conxemar as ‘the great fishing fair in Spain and internationally’, while Mayor Abel Caballero defined it as ‘the jewel in the crown of fishing in the world’, also insisting on the need to expand the venue.
The Regional Minister for the Sea, Marta Villaverde, reaffirmed the ‘support and commitment of the Regional Government’ to ensure that the fair continues to grow ‘in a larger, more modern and better equipped IFEVI’.
Humour promoting the consumption of frozen fish
The most eagerly awaited event on this first day was the monologue by comedian Leo Harlem, held on Stage Hall 4, which highlighted Conxemar’s new communication campaign: ‘Twice as easy, twice as good’.
The initiative, launched this spring, seeks to promote the consumption of frozen seafood products and dispel false myths about their quality and taste.
On this basis, and through humour and a friendly tone, the Spanish comedian and actor Leo Harlem became the best ambassador for blue protein during the course of the Exhibition this morning.
Vigo, world capital of blue protein
Over the next few days, the exhibition will host show cooking events, presentations and culinary demonstrations, as well as business meetings as part of the International Buyers Programme, which this year brings together representatives from 29 countries and 50 invited buyers, thanks to the collaboration of ICEX, IGAPE, Zona Franca and the Chamber of Commerce.
Conxemar thus once again turns Vigo into the great international showcase for the fishing and processing industry, reinforcing Galicia’s position as a world leader in the production and marketing of seafood products.
