Alaska Fisheries Development Foundation (AFDF) will hold the 24th annual Alaska Symphony of Seafood in 2017, a competition for new products made from Alaska seafood. The overall goal is to inspire innovative ways to use Alaska’s seafood resources.

Events in 2017 will be held in Seattle (Jan. 25) and Juneau (Feb. 22). The winners will be given an opportunity to display their winning products at the Seafood Expo North American (SENA) in Boston (March 19-21). The event’s multiple locations give seafood companies the opportunity to introduce new products from Alaska seafood and gain exposure with industry and culinary experts, seafood distributors and national media, according to a press release. The overall goal is to inspire innovative ways to use Alaska’s seafood resources.

Each product entered in the competition is grouped into one of four categories: Retail/Smoked Products, Foodservice, Beyond the Plate and Beyond the Egg. Product entries are then individually evaluated by a panel of expert judges during a private judging session. Evaluations are based on the product’s packaging and presentation, overall eating experience, price and potential for commercial success.

After the judges are finished reviewing and tasting the products, the chefs, manufacturers, buyers, sellers and media are also invited to vote on their favorite product at the Seattle reception. This award – “Seattle People’s Choice” – will be announced at the end of this event. The overall grand prize, and first, second and third place winners of each category are kept confidential until the Open House and Award Ceremony in Juneau. The “Juneau People’s Choice” will also be announced then. First place winners from each category will receive complimentary booth space as well as free airfare to and from the Seafood Expo North America, the industry’s biggest event of the year.

Entry forms and fees are due by Jan. 6, 2017. For more information, go to afdf.org/symphony-of-seafood.