During BC Seafood Month and the BC Shellfish and Seafood Festival, the Comox Valley will bring together renowned seafood and aquaculture industry leaders, businesses and educators for the BC Seafood Expo, June 12 and 13.
The BC Seafood Expo trade event presents educational and informative sessions, industry producer site tours, and a trade show that has doubled in size this year.
The trade show will be hosted in downtown Courtenay at the Filberg Centre and the Native Sons Hall. The Seafood Expo program will also host over 30 shellfish and seafood speakers; in addition two keynote speakers have been announced, including Terry O’Reilly, host CBC Radio’s Under the Influence, and chef Ned Bell, Ocean Wise executive chef at Vancouver Aquarium.
On June 12, the Expo keynote presentation will be given by Terry O’Reilly, to generate discussion on the challenges and opportunities marketing can bring when changing a negative perception into a positive one. When O’Reilly is not in constant demand as a key speaker, he ignites discussion on the award-winning CBC Radio show, Under the Influence. For business leaders of all industries, O’Reilly will bring his professionally renowned marketing expertise on changing the conversation of reputation management.
Bell, an ambassador for sustainable seafood, is turning heads in the industry with his cooking philosophy, “globally inspired and locally created.” With the support from the Vancouver Aquarium’s Ocean Wise program, Bell has raised awareness about sustainable seafood with his Chefs for Oceans initiative in 2014. With experience in the country’s top kitchens, a long-lasting presence with seven seasons on Food Network Canada’s Cook Like a Chef, and awarded as Canada’s Chef of the Year at Food Service and Hospitality magazine’s 2014 Pinnacle Awards, Bell’s presentation, on June 13, is not one to be missed. Both keynote speeches by O’Reilly and Bell will be held at the Sid Williams Theatre.
Limited tickets for the two popular keynote speakers are available to the public for $20 and include free access to the BC Seafood Expo Trade Show floors.
Tickets for the trade show itself cost $10, kids 12 and under are free. Tickets for both can be purchased at BCShellfishFestival.com