Report of the WAS Industry Relations Committee. Sydney, Australia. September 25-26, 2004.

Committee Members / Chair, Lorenzo Juarez, Alejandro Flores, John Hargreaves, Dan Fegan, Julie Delabbio

I. TASKS, ACTIONS AND REQUIRED DECISIONS

Tasks

/ Actions / Required Decisions
1. Work with John Cooksey to meet and greet conference exhibitors / Committee members reminded to check with John Cooksey in order to greet exhibitors. / None
2. Consider on-line trade show concept with Quick-Stream. / Designed guidelines for concept (see Appendix). / Discuss and approve concept; quote with Quick-Stream.
3. Co-ordinate with conference organizing committee (include person from Conference organizing committee). / Contacted organizers of Sydney Meeting. Include person from upcoming meetings? / Decide on including person from upcoming meetings

II. ADDITIONAL IDEAS FOR THE WAS INDUSTRY RELATIONS COMMITTEE

Topic / Action / Considerations for discussion
1 / How can we work to strengthen ties with Industry and Farming Associations (non-exhibit industry) /
  • Survey the industry to see how are WAS and its role perceived.
  • Develop a clear industry-relations strategy for the Society.
  • Promote joint meetings with Industry farming associations (i.e. Catfish farmers of America, Striped Bass Growers Association, Tilapia Growers Association, etc).
  • Promote seminars by recognized specialists in the main areas-problems of the world.
  • Explore mechanisms to provide access to balanced-reliable information to Industry
  • Explore mechanisms to formalize relationships with Global Aquaculture Alliance (GAA) and National Aquaculture Association (NAA).
/ Cost-Sponsorship
Advocacacy
2 / Increase Industry presence at WAS Board. /
  • Identify key industry member(s) to include in WAS Industry Committee.
/ Purpose?
Task list?
3 / Increase Industry focus at WAS meetings /
  • Make local industry representation mandatory on the program committee for WAS conferences outside the US. They can help to identify local and industry-specific issues to be addressed as well as publicizing the meeting.
  • Organize producer workshops with specific topics, where specialists and farmers are brought together in a dynamic and interactive format.
  • Involve GAA and/or NAA in conference program committee.

4 / Improve interaction with exhibit industry /
  • Altenative to evaluation form sent to expositors after meetings?
  • Improve/formalize welcome to exhibitors. Social? Letter/card?
  • Novel products session at upcoming WAS meetings? What meetings are still open?
  • At large conferences consider having a separate night of socials centered on the major species
  • Trade show “stage” adjacent to exhibit area. Showcase products.

APPENDIX: Online trade show concept; Quick-stream, or similar

  1. Obtain quotes from Quick-stream and/or similar for an on-line showcase of 6 to 10 aquaculture companies to be linked from the WAS website.
  2. Individual company presentations to be 3 to 5 minutes long, include audio and pictures (video?) and showcase the products, services, and personalities of each company, based on interviews that could be conducted at actual tradeshow, and/or be prepared with materials provided by the company.
  3. Presentations can link to company website, online catalogs, ordering, etc.
  4. Market it as a stand alone? Sponsors benefit? Other?
  5. Present concept and costs to trade show exhibitors, indicating initial limited availability during pilot phase.
  6. Implement mechanisms to track success of online show as sales tool.
  7. Based on results, adjust and expand concept.