The Icelandic Fisheries Exhibition 2008 opened with a bang and was an incredibly successful three day show, despite the country''s financial crisis.
The Icelandic Minister of Fisheries and Agriculture, Einar Kristinn Guðfinnsson, welcomed visitors and exhibitors to the exhibition and said it was an extremely important event not only for Iceland but also for the international fishing industry.
He said the exhibition was a place for people in fisheries to meet, do business, compare notes and strengthen friendships and business contacts.
He also said, "We are gathered here in the shadow of great economic turmoil. Iceland as other economies is severely affected by the harsh credit crunch, which is illustrated in recent events apparent to all of us. There are no easy solutions to these difficulties. That however does not allow us to turn a blind eye to our objective, which is to take all measures available to us to overcome these difficulties. The Icelandic government is determined to play its part, just as it has tried to do in the past."
He was followed by the Mayor of Kópavogur, Gunnar Birgisson, who said that it was refreshing to see the boldness and courage of the organisers who had been busy preparing this important event, and he was honoured that the exhibition was taking place in the town of Kópavogur.
The minister then fired a shot from a 140 year old cannon situated outside the exhibition hall and opened the exhibition with a bang!
The Icelandic Fisheries Awards were presented on the opening night on the top floor of the newly built Tower in Kópavogur. Being the tallest building in Iceland, the Tower gave unparalleled panoramic views across the bay of Kópavogur and Reykjavik.
World Fishing would like to congratulate all of the individuals and companies who received one of these prestigious awards. A complete list of winners and photographs of the event can be found on the following pages.
The wonderful Exhibition Party, sponsored by Eimskip and Landsbanki, took the form of the new and exciting theme ‘Jazz in the Deep Blue Sea’ and took place at the Vesturstúkan KSÍ, at Iceland's national football stadium.
During the fabulous dinner the four exhibition awards were presented (again, congratulations to the winners) and guests danced the night away to one of Iceland’s most popular singers, Bogomil Font.
Photographs of the event can also be found within this review.
The Exhibition itself was a great success, with many new products being launched at the show.
World Fishing would like to thank all visitors and exhibitors who participated and would like to congratulate the organisers for an excellent exhibition.
Carly Wills, Editor, World Fishing
