Through the AMC Marketing Program, Alaska Mariculture exhibited at Seafood Expo North America (SENA) for the first time, marking a significant step for the state’s growing oyster and kelp sector. The Alaska Mariculture booth – staffed by AMA Executive Director Jason Lessard and SEC representatives alongside Alaska oyster grower Erik Obrien of Kodiak Ocean Bounty – welcomed thousands of attendees from across the seafood supply chain and introduced many to the quality, diversity, and potential of Alaska-grown oysters and kelp.
Showcasing Alaska Kelp
Visitors learned about Alaska kelp and sampled an array of kelp foods to illustrate the story of farmers cultivating nutrient-rich kelp in cold, pristine waters and the local businesses transforming that harvest into innovative, value‑added products. Alaska companies and products featured:
- Kachemak Kelp
- Barnacle Foods
- Chugach Chocolates
Experiencing Alaska Oysters
Alaska Mariculture hosted an oyster showcase in the Wave Maker featured stage area of the show highlighting the distinct merroir of each region, while underscoring the diversity and quality of Alaska oysters. Show goers tasted oysters from:
- Alaska Shellfish Farms
- Kodiak Ocean Bounty
- Seagrove
Debuting New Branding & Booth
SENA marked a public unveiling of Alaska Mariculture’s unified brand identity, booth design, and supporting collateral. The look provided a clear, premium introduction of the industry to buyers, distributors, processors, and media.
The Alaska Mariculture booth was positioned near other Alaska seafood companies and organizations, reinforcing the strength of the state’s seafood economy and ensuring oyster and kelp farmers were represented within the broader Alaska story.
Building Connections & Awareness
In addition to generating new industry leads that are now being followed up on, Alaska Mariculture coordinated on-site media interviews that will extend the industry’s reach to consumer and trade audiences, including:
- The Associated Press with pending coverage
- Undercurrent News: Inside Alaska’s emerging oyster industry
This was a successful first appearance at SENA, and the AMC Marketing Program will build on the exposure and relationships to further advance the industry.