Sugar Bowl, BP to promote Gulf of Mexico seafood, tourism

The Sugar Bowl is partnering with oil giant BP for the Gulf Coast Seafood & Tourism Bash, billed by the Allstate Sugar Bowl Committee as a two-week celebration, which includes the Sugar Bowl on Jan. 3 and the BCS championship game on Jan. 9. “Together, we want to deliver a clear message that the gulf’s beaches, restaurants, fishing and attractions provide unsurpassed vacation experiences,” says Crystal Ashby, BP executive vice president of government and public affairs, in a news release. Gulf Coast seafood will be featured at official Sugar Bowl and BCS championship galas and pregame parties, and promotional announcements will be made during the games. There will be vacation giveaways to Florida, Alabama, Mississippi and Louisiana, and seafood samplings for fans and media. The promotion comes as the gulf seafood industry continues efforts to rebound from the Deepwater Horizon oil spill in April 2010. State and federal officials continue to declare gulf seafood safe to eat, but industry leaders have said repeatedly that they are still fighting to overcome negative perceptions since the spill.