Inviting You to PFT 2016, February 21st – February 24th
I would like to personally invite and welcome each of you to the 67th annual Pacific Fisheries Technologists (PFT) Conference. It is an honor and a privilege to serve as your president and host for the 67th PFT at the historical sight of Washington State’s iconic Semiahmoo Resort. This resort utilizes an old cannery site as its foundation, which makes it the perfect location to build on this year’s theme: “Honoring the Past and Shaping the Future.”
PFT membership has always had a rich and diverse representation from industry, academia and government. From the very beginning, the Seafood Products Association (then as the National Canners Association) has taken a leadership position. Ray W. Clough of the National Canners Association served as president for the second formal annual PFT meeting in 1951. Sixty-five years later and I will do my best to carry on the tradition.
This is the second time that PFT has been held at Semiahmoo. Exactly 28 years to the date of this year’s conference, my good friend’s dad, Dick Nelson was president, so I find it very fitting that this is the year that I myself give back to an organization that I have received so much from. In 1988 the Keynote address of the first day was given by John Sebella who will join us again with an encore performance as he honors the past with his video presentation, “Sockeye and the Age of Sail, the Story of the Alaska Packers Association.”
You will further have a chance to learn about Semiahmoo’s fish cannery days with a visit to the Drayton Harbor Maritime Museum in the late afternoon. The museum is devoted to featuring the history of the Alaska Packers Association and its impact on the area, the perfect follow up to the mornings keynote presentation.
Semiahmoo Resort, Golf and Spa is located on the shores of Semiahmoo Bay and Drayton Harbor where tide pools and estuaries provide a sanctuary for Pacific Northwest wildlife. Just 45 minutes south of Vancouver, B.C. and 90 minutes north of Seattle, Semiahmoo has recently completed a multi-million dollar restoration inspired by its seaside location.
Semiahmoo Spit (separating Semiahmoo Bay and Drayton Harbor) is also home to Semiahmoo County Park which boasts more than 300 acres of tideland and approximately 1.5 miles of level pathways ideal for outdoor adventures such as walking, biking, rollerblading, kayaking, clamming and kite flying.
Weather permitting, we also hope to offer the opportunity to golf at either Semiahmoo Golf & Country Club or Loomis Trail Golf Club.
As 2015 PFT president Dr. Jae Park expressed so well last year, “The future of PFT relies on our ability to transfer our long and successful tradition to young, energetic leaders from various fields encompassed by PFT. I would like to ask those who are about 50 or older to reach out to youngsters in the years to come for our bright future.”
Reserve February 21st through the 24th 2016 on your calendar and please reach out and invite a youngster.
Bruce C. Odegaard
PFT President, 2016