With over 2,200 people in attendance across the two-day event, the 2024 Irish Skipper Expo held in Limerick was hailed a huge success by industry leaders.
For its third year running in Limerick, Bord Iascaigh Mhara (BIM), Ireland’s Seafood Development Agency proudly returned as main sponsor to The Irish Skipper Expo, Ireland’s only dedicated trade show for the seafood industry. BIM staff working at this year’s event commented on the steady flow of visitors on both days.
This year’s Expo began with Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Charlie McConalogue T.D formally launching Ireland’s National Seafood Development Programme under the European Maritime, Fisheries and Aquaculture Fund (EMFAF) 2012- 2027. The Minister announced the new development programme in the presence of the EMFAF Monitoring Committee and BIM CEO, Caroline Bocquel.
Inside the venue industry were able to learn about relevant BIM business supports and funding opportunities with a team of BIM regional officers and other staff at the BIM main stand. While outside the venue, instructors from BIM’s National Fisheries College of Ireland and Coastal Training Unit discussed training and skills development programmes with visitors.
The BIM Aquaculture Remote Classroom or ARC as it’s better known made a return visit to this year’s event, and welcomed a group of transition year students from local secondary school, St. Munchin’s.
Expressing her delight in the positive feedback received, Sharon Boyle, Commercial Fishing Manager for show organiser Mara Media said, “Many visitors spoke of the fantastic variety of products and services on display, and also of the great effort put in by exhibitors to decorate and create engaging stand displays.
“A number of exhibitors also noted a huge increase in their sales and product interest at this year’s show. With the industry experiencing such a difficult time at the minute, it was great to see the energy of the visitors, as they look ahead with optimism and hope.”
Speaking of their experience at this year’s Expo, Charles Cavanagh and Martin Donnellan of Arachas Corporate Brokers Limited (Show Sponsor) stated, “We were delighted to see a good attendance at the show and as always, it is a great opportunity to meet customers, old and new, face to face.”
The show reception took place in the renowned music venue, Dolan’s Pub in Limerick City on the Friday evening, with exhibitors and their guests enjoying complimentary welcome drinks and nibbles, while networking with industry peers.
Sharon says, “Having the show reception in Dolan’s really added to the social aspect of the show this year. Exhibitors and their guests got to experience a taste of the live music scene in Limerick city and many view it as a vital event to network with other businesses in a more relaxed environment.”
As ever, The Skipper Expos run on the motto, ‘Your Industry, Your Show’ and the team will continue to make enhancements to the Irish Skipper Expo based on the feedback received from exhibitors and visitors in the coming months.
Check out the Irish Skipper Expo events page for future show announcements: https://theskipper.ie/irish- skipper-expo/
We will be in touch very soon with the 2025 show dates.
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