Maritime Industry Economic Forecast Breakfast, Keynote by Deadliest Catch star Capt. Keith Colburn, and over 475 Exhibitors highlight Pacific Marine Expo, Nov. 18-20, at CenturyLink Event Center

    SEATTLE, WA, November 16, 2015 /24-7PressRelease/ -- The annual Maritime Industry Economic Forecast Breakfast, a keynote by Deadliest Catch star Capt. Keith Colburn, and over 475 Exhibitors will highlight Pacific Marine Expo, which is set from Nov. 18-20, at CenturyLink Event Center

What:
The 48th Annual Pacific Marine Expo, the West Coast's largest commercial marine trade show, will be held at CenturyLink Field Event Center in Seattle from Wednesday, November 18, through Friday, November 20. PME is the largest and longest running commercial marine tradeshow on the West Coast. The Expo serves all aspects of the market, including commercial vessels owners, commercial fishermen, boat builders, workboat operators and seafood processors.

About the 2015 Show:
This year's Expo will attract more than 475 exhibitors and over 8,000 visitors from 40 states and 24 countries. The Expo will also feature the annual Maritime Industry Economic Forecast Breakfast, a keynote address by Deadliest Catch television star Capt. Keith Colburn, the recording of the Seattle Kitchen Radio Show, a new Fisherman's Lounge and a comprehensive conference program.

Press Credentials:
For complimentary press credentials, please stop by the Show Office, Mezzanine Level, CenturyLink Field Event Center. Industry press releases are also available in the Show Office.

Keynote Address: Capt. Keith Colburn:
1 p.m., Wednesday, November 18
Captain of the Wizard on the Deadliest Catch, business owner, classically trained chef, spokesperson and motivational speaker.

Maritime Industry Economic Forecast Breakfast:
8 - 10 a.m., Thursday, November 19
West Club Lounge, CenturyLink Field Event Center
This year's breakfast will attract nearly 300 top labor, business, local and federal government and community leaders. This year's speakers include:

Port of Seattle Commission Co-President Stephanie Bowman
- Opportunities for the Port's Maritime Division

John Wolfe, CEO, The Northwest Seaport Alliance, and CEO Port of Tacoma
- Increasing the region's container line of business

Orlando Ashford, President, Holland America Line
- Growth and opportunities for the cruise industry in Seattle and, an update on HAL.

Kenny Down, President, Blue North
- Economic forecast for the fishing industry and fishing boat recapitalization and an update on their new, high-tech vessel

Economic Studies
Industry Competitive and Policy Analysis - Steve Rothberg, Mercator International, and David Matusda
Alaska Seafood Profile and Market Summary - Andy Wink, McDowell Group

Joshua Berger, new Washington State Maritime Sector Lead
- Challenges and opportunities facing the State's maritime industry

Annual Conference Program:
Pacific Marine Expo's free conference programming will offer a variety of sessions featuring industry leaders on topics such as Marine Safety and Security, Business Management, Legal and Regulatory Issues, and Technical Issues/Advancements.

Conference program highlights include:
Wednesday, 11:45 a.m. - 12:45 a.m.
Electronic Monitoring of Commercial Fisheries: Challenges and Opportunities
Panel discussion on the National Marine Fisheries Service's fast tracking of electronic monitoring to augment at-sea monitoring of commercial fisheries.

Wednesday, 3:15 - 4 p.m.
Chix who Fish
Organization founder Genevieve Kurelic McDonald leads a discussion on being a woman in the fishing industry.

Thursday, 10:30 - 11:30 a.m.
Industrial Mining in Transboundary Watersheds
A modern-day gold rush is underway in British Columbia (B.C.). Panelists will discuss the need for the U.S. Department of State to take action under the Boundary Waters Treaty to ensure real policy changes and protections occur in watersheds shared by the U.S. and Canada.

Friday, 10:30 a.m. - Noon
Sustainable Seafood: From Science-based Management to Trade and Traceability
Speakers: NOAA Assistant Administrator for Fisheries, Eileen Sobeck, and the Deputy Assistant Secretary for International Fisheries, Russell Smith.

Special Events:
2015 Pacific Marine Expo special events include the recording of KIRO Radio's Seattle Kitchen program (1-3 p.m., Thursday), a performance by the Fisher Poets (10-11:30 a.m., Friday), Fisherman of the Year Contest (1 p.m., Friday), a free daily Happy Hour in the Beer Garden sponsored by ZF Marine, and the new daily Fishermen's Lounge, includes:

- Short films from the Commercial Fishing Film Festival
- Maritime photography and art displays, including work from Karen Ducey and Chelsea Stephen
- Puget Sound Maritime historical display
- Book signing with author and historian Chuck Fowler (Wednesday)
- Book signing and photo exhibit with Jana Suchy (Thursday)
- Book signing and meet & greet with John van Amerongen (Thursday)
- Book signing and meet & greet with a group of Fisher Poets (Friday)
- Fish Tales: A chance to record your best fishing stories
- Cash bar and ample seating

Registration:
Qualified members of the industry can attend the Exhibit Hall, educational conference sessions and keynote for free by registering on or before Nov. 17. Non-exhibiting suppliers can register for $50. At-show registration on November 18, 19 & 20 is $30.00 per qualified attendee. To register, visit www.PacificMarineExpo.com.

About Pacific Marine Expo
Pacific Marine Expo is part of the Diversified Communications portfolio of commercial marine events, publications and eMedia products. Pacific Marine Expo is the largest and longest running commercial marine tradeshow on the West Coast and is annually held in Seattle. The Expo serves all aspects of the market, including commercial vessel owners, commercial fishermen, boat builders, workboat operators and seafood processors.

For further information, visit www.PacificMarineExpo.com.

About Diversified Communications
Diversified Communications, based in Portland, Maine, provides information and market access through face-to-face events, publications and digital media. Diversified serves a number of industries, including seafood, foodservice, natural and organic products, healthcare, commercial marine industries, and business management. Diversified operates divisions in the US, Australia, Hong Kong, India, the UK and Canada. For more information, visit: www.divcom.com.

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