New Bedford Fishing Heritage Center Executive Director Laura Orleans and members of the board in front of the center’s new building which will host this year’s CME First Night Event. From left, Phil Mello, Kirsten Bendiksen, Orleans, Cassie Canastra, Madeleine Hall-Arber, Dave Martins. Not pictured: Anne Jardin-Maynard, Stefanie Rafael-DeMello, and Jeff Pelletier. (NBFHC photo)
NEW BEDFORD, MA – With show time rapidly approaching for this year’s upcoming Commercial Marine Expo (CME), event organizers have announced additional details of interest to attendees.
The CME, set for Apr. 27-28 on the State Pier in the heart of New Bedford’s revitalized working waterfront, is celebrating the 50th anniversary of the show’s forerunner, Fish Expo, with a renewed emphasis on commercial fishing this year.
Over 100 exhibitors are already on board – many local and regional businesses from New England and the Mid-Atlantic states, plus companies from Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Ohio, Georgia, Florida, Louisiana, Texas, California, Washington, and even Canada.
The products these companies will be showing represent the full spectrum of gear and services commercial fishermen and fishing boat owners need and want – boatbuilding, propulsion, electronics, deck gear, and more, event planners said.
Among boats expected to be on hand, Blount Boats is planning to bring its newest vessel – a boat specifically designed and built to service offshore wind farms – for which New Bedford is a staging area.
New this year, The New Bedford Fishing Heritage Center will be hosting a CME “First Night Event” mixer following the first day of the show.
The gathering, which will take place on Apr. 27 from 4:30-6:30 pm, is a benefit for the Fishing Heritage Center, and is being sponsored by the R.A. Mitchell Company.
An opportunity for exhibitors to socialize and network, the event will feature a silent auction, cash bar, and hors d’oeuvres provided by M&C Café, with donated seafood provided by BASE.
Among the auction items, guests will have the opportunity to bid on a 10×10 booth at next year’s show.
A free shuttle will run from the State Pier to the Fishing Heritage Center, which is located at 38 Bethel St. in the city’s historic district. There is also parking available on site and at the nearby Elm Street Garage.
“We really appreciate the opportunity to introduce our organization to the CME exhibitors,” said Laura Orleans, executive director.
The Fishing Heritage Center is dedicated to preserving and presenting the story of the commercial fishing industry past, present, and future through archives, exhibits, and programs – and will open to the public in late June.
While the show is very “drive-in friendly,” for attendees planning to stay over for this year’s CME, discounted hotel rates have been arranged with both the Fairfield Inn And Suites, across the street from the State Pier, and with the Hampton Inn in New Bedford.
For additional details about the show, including a partial exhibitor list, hotel discounts, and how to
pre-register, visit the Commercial Marine Expo website at <www.CoMarExpo.com>. /cfn/
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