Aqua Nor 2021 – Preview
Welcome back
The biennial trade show is returning in physical and virtual form
I
t’s Trondheim �me again – but not as we know it. Aqua Nor is back, but this �me many of the par�cipants will be present in digital form only. Two years ago, organisers the Nor-Fishing Founda�on were gearing up for Aqua Nor 2019 –the biggest event in the series to date – and looking to an even bigger gathering in 2021. We all know what happened in between to make trade fairs like Aqua Nor impossible to hold. Now, however, plans are well advanced for an in-person event and once more, Aqua Nor is a key fixture in the aquaculture calendar. The trade fair and conference will be returning to the Spektrum conference venue in Trondheim, Norway over 24-27 August, but it will also be a “hybrid” event with livestreaming of the speakers and sessions, the opportunity to network online and “digital stands” for exhibitors. Speaking last year, Kris�an Digre, general manager of the Nor-Fishing Founda�on said that the concept of a digital pla�orm had already been trialled at Aqua Nor’s sister show Nor-Fishing earlier in 2020. He added: “The par�cipants [at Nor-Fishing] have given us a lot of good feedback on what they want more of. We take this with us when planning Aqua Nor. Adding a digital pla�orm to the fair will add value for exhibitors who will have more opportuni�es to profile themselves. It will also make it easier for visitors, who for various reasons cannot physically par�cipate, to see what is happening in Trondheim. “At the same �me, it is important for us to preserve the physical part of the fair as much as prac�cally possible and infec�on control considera�ons allow. There is something very special about having a chat or mee�ng old acquaintances in the entrance hall area.” Erik Hempel, Director of Communica�ons with the Nor-Fishing Founda�on, agrees. He told Fish Farmer: “The response we’ve had – especially from those in Norway – is that everyone is looking forward to mee�ng up again. They are sick and �red of Teams mee�ngs!”
42
Aqua Nor Preview 1 & 2.indd 42
The physical trade fair takes place in the exhibi�on halls of Trondheim Spektrum, as well as in tents outside the halls. In addi�on, there will be exhibitors at Skansen, Trondheim’s historic park, harbour and fortress. The large exhibi�on areas, organisers say, will allow visitors to retain a safe distance from each other at all �mes. Aqua Nor follows the Norwegian Government’s infec�on control guide for trade fairs and exhibi�ons. Of course, even with the best precau�ons in place some people may prefer to stay away from large events at the present �me, and par�cularly for those based outside Norway, ge�ng there in person may be a problem. At the �me of wri�ng, visitors from outside Norway who have either had Covid and recovered, or are fully vaccinated, and can verify this with EDCC (European Digital Covid Cer�ficate] documenta�on, will be allowed to enter without quaran�ne. As things stand, that excludes visitors from the UK, which is on Norway’s “red list” – meaning that unless certain excep�ons apply, UK residents cannot enter Norway. As with all Covid-related ma�ers, the best advice is to check regularly as the rules can always be updated at short no�ce. For those who will be taking part digitally, however, Aqua Nor still offers a full programme, organised in partnership with
Above: The Trondheim Spektrum Opposite from top: How the digital event will look; networking outside the Spektrum centre; inside the hall
www.fishfarmermagazine.com
12/07/2021 14:19:48
