MOBILE, Ala. (Apr. 7, 2014) – The Alabama Seafood and Marketing Commission (ASMC) in partnership with the Alabama Department of Agriculture & Industries has announced dates for the 2nd annual Alabama Seafood Summit, to be held Tuesday, April 22, and Wednesday, April 23, at the Mobile Convention Center.

The event – which in 2013 netted over 100 attendees – will once again target producers, distributors, grocers, restaurateurs, wholesalers and key seafood industry leaders. Its purpose is to serve as a collaborative environment to examine business conditions and issues affecting the industry – all while providing the opportunity for individuals to expand professional relationships and connections.

“The first Alabama Seafood Summit brought together every stakeholder in the seafood industry to form a consensus on what was needed in order to move forward with an action plan,” said Alabama Department of Agriculture & Industries Commissioner John McMillan. “It appears that plan is moving forward. This second Seafood Summit will surely help us in keeping our efforts focused and on target as the Alabama Gulf Seafood brand is gaining strength and great acceptance with consumers.”

Tuesday, April 22, will consist of an evening networking opportunity from 6:00 p.m. until 7:30 p.m.

Wednesday, April 23, activities will begin at 7:30 a.m. with registration and breakfast, followed by panel discussions and seminars focusing on multiple aspects of the seafood trade and led by from keynote speakers, including:

Commissioner John McMillan, Alabama Department of Agriculture and Industries; Deputy Commissioner of Conservation Curtis Jones, Alabama Department of Conservation & Natural Resources Sen. Bill Hightower, Alabama State Senate, District 35; Rep. Steve McMillan, Alabama House of Representatives, District 95; Rep. David Sessions, Alabama House of Representatives, District 105; Alex Miller, Gulf Seafood Trace Don Abercrombie, AquaSouth; Wiley Blankenship, Coastal Alabama Partnership; Eliska Morgan, Department of Conservation and Natural Resources; Seafood buyers from Sysco Gulf Coast, US Foods, Inland Seafood, Whole Foods and the Alabama Grocers Association; and Representatives from the restaurant industry such Lulu’s Homeport and Marina and the Original Oyster House, among others.

Alabama’s seafood industry provides significant jobs, income and sales impact in the state. More than 11,000 jobs just in coastal Alabama are directly related to the seafood industry with a total economic impact of $499,000,000 statewide annually.

“We look forward to the upcoming assembly of Alabama seafood industry peers and the opportunity it will provide us to discuss critical issues, exchange ideas and enhance potential partnerships and collaborations,” says Chris Blankenship, program administrator for ASMC and director of Alabama Marine Resources.

For more information about the Alabama Seafood Summit or to register, please visit http://www.alseafoodsummit.com.

ABOUT THE ALABAMA SEAFOOD MARKETING COMMISSION

Established by Alabama Governor Robert Bentley by executive order signed in March of 2011, the Alabama Seafood Marketing Commission (ASMC) was created to help provide advice, oversight, management and encouragement to the marketing of Alabama seafood. Led by Chris Blankenship, director of the Alabama Marine Resource Division of the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, the ASMC is comprised of volunteer members appointed by the Governor that includes fishermen, processors, charter boat operators, retailers, restaurant owners and others directly and indirectly related to the Alabama seafood industry.