Against the backdrop of uncertainty around the Covid-19 pandemic, the organisers of the Icelandic Fisheries Exhibition have taken the tough decision to postpone the event scheduled for September this year – which will now take place 15-17th September 2021.
‘Given the global restrictions on travel and the effects that social distancing requirements will have on the operation of the exhibition, the team at Mercator Media has been examining alternatives and seeking the opinion of exhibitors,’ said Mercator Media’s director of events Marianne Rasmussen-Coulling.
‘There is also the added uncertainty surrounding further possible government actions and restrictions, both in Iceland and abroad. We would all prefer that this was not the case, but in the circumstances, we believe rescheduling to 2021 is now the best option for exhibitors and visitors.’
IceFish has taken place every three years since the first exhibition in 1984, and is the latest industry exhibition to be called off. Two others due to be held in the same week – in Boston and St Petersburg – have also been postponed.
‘Icefish is a face-to-face exhibition where people meet to discuss new ideas and solutions for their commercial fishing, processing, seafood and value added businesses and activities. Meeting up with client networks and making new ones is a key reason to attend,’ Marianne Rasmussen-Coulling said, noting that for the rest of 2020 there is a reluctance among exhibitors and visitors to travel when they feel their safety could be at risk.
‘Exhibitors, delegates and visitors return to Icefish again and again, and we are conscious that there will be real disappointment at people not being able to exhibit and attend in 2020,’ she said.
‘Everyone on the Icefish team is sorry not to be able to be meeting up with exhibitors and visitors in person at Icefish this year. We regret that we have had to make this decision but believe that this course of action is the best alternative in the face of the effects of Covid-19. We look forward to 2021.’
