MACNA 2020 Cancelled

ArizonaAquatics · May 19, 2020

Tuffyyyyy said:
MACNA is pretty good, at least historically, about not having it in the same location several times. D.C and Orlando seem to be the only repeat locations over the past 20 years.

MACNA was in Orlando last year but it was cut short and attendance was down significantly (including me cancelling my plans) due to an inbound hurricane. I went to the New Orleans one in 2017 too and it was a ghost town due to Hurricane Harvey.

This is true, I was just stating that it has never been in Phoenix before and the chances of it happening again are probably slim. I think at least the west coast, if not Phoenix, needs another MACNA soon. I went to the show in Vegas, and RAP in LA, but it was just really cool to see it coming to a place it's never been before. It's a bummer that we (most likely) won't get another west coast show for a couple years unless it's RAP. I understand its all pre-planned, so hopefully soon we'll get another shot!

ArizonaAquatics · May 19, 2020

Peace River said:
Last year the MACNA conference was held in Orlando but was limited by a hurricane. I believe that the only other time that MACNA was held in Orlando was 2010.

Phoenix is a good location for a fish convention like MACNA whenever it is able to be held there. Often MACNA (a similar conferences) makes agreements several years in advance so it is a challenge to predict when MACNA will be held.

I know it's all pre-planned so I don't expect another Phoenix show soon unless they give us the benefit of the doubt lol. Just a bummer. Phoenix would "probably" be a great area for a convention but for the last 7+ years I've been in the hobby, not one has been here so I feel like the market is pretty untested. Hopefully they'll give it another go and maybe they won't schedule it for August this time when it's so hot!

Opus · May 19, 2020

ArizonaAquatics said:
I know it's all pre-planned so I don't expect another Phoenix show soon unless they give us the benefit of the doubt lol. Just a bummer. Phoenix would "probably" be a great area for a convention but for the last 7+ years I've been in the hobby, not one has been here so I feel like the market is pretty untested. Hopefully they'll give it another go and maybe they won't schedule it for August this time when it's so hot!

That would be big change for them. It has been around labor day for as long as I can remember (been doing this for 30+ years). I personally hate that they always make this family unfriendly, ie they always have it when school has just started and their is no way to make a vacation out if it. I would have attended the last several since they would have been great vacation spots. Personally I find Aquashella better then MACNA.

I heard Orlando was horrible from a vendor stand point. Several local ones that attended said they lost money or barely broke even.

Opus · May 19, 2020

reefwiser said:
MACNA is scheduled several years out.
it hard to predict the fall. So many local club frag swaps have not gone on this year also.

Is it done differently now? If my memory is correct, when it was in Dallas they only found out a month or so before the MACNA that it was announced at, so that only gave them around a year to do the planning.

lpsouth1978 · May 19, 2020

I am super bummed. I have never been able to attend MACNA, and living in the Phoenix area presented me with a unique opportunity to finally go. I don't know that this opportunity will come again.

Tuffyyyyy · May 19, 2020

Opus said:
Is it done differently now? If my memory is correct, when it was in Dallas they only found out a month or so before the MACNA that it was announced at, so that only gave them around a year to do the planning.

Yeah it seems like they have been announcing the site of next year's event during the current year MACNA.

Opus said:
I heard Orlando was horrible from a vendor stand point. Several local ones that attended said they lost money or barely broke even.

This isn't super surprising. Orlando thought it was about to get blasted by a hurricane

ArizonaAquatics said:
This is true, I was just stating that it has never been in Phoenix before and the chances of it happening again are probably slim. I think at least the west coast, if not Phoenix, needs another MACNA soon. I went to the show in Vegas, and RAP in LA, but it was just really cool to see it coming to a place it's never been before. It's a bummer that we (most likely) won't get another west coast show for a couple years unless it's RAP. I understand its all pre-planned, so hopefully soon we'll get another shot!

They've been alternating it between east and west for the past few years at least.
2020: Phoenix (West)
2019: Orlando (East)
2018: Las Vegas (West)
2017: New Orleans (East)
2016: San Diego (West)
2015: D.C. (East)
2014: Denver (West)
2013: Hollywood, FL (East)

Pre-2013 it seemed like they'd just go wherever. Phoenix has a strong chance at being selected again soon. I think the only thing I don't see on there is L.A.

MCatano · May 19, 2020

Also a big hit for all the vendors that were set to attend. As a consumer I hope they do some live sales to share the awesome pieces.

Opus · May 19, 2020

I'm glad that MASNA took over the event. Not sure how it affected other clubs, but it basically destroyed our club here in the Dallas area. All over money of course. The club has never really recovered and with social media taking over that was the last straw.

Peace River · May 19, 2020

Announcing the site to the public and making agreements future venues are two different timelines. Another recent change relates to MASNA organizing and coordinating the event instead of depending as heavily on local clubs. IMO there are many benefits to this change include more flexibility on future locations.

Opus · May 19, 2020

MCatano said:
Also a big hit for all the vendors that were set to attend. As a consumer I hope they do some live sales to share the awesome pieces.

There has already been a couple due to the postponement of Aquashella.

Opus · May 19, 2020

Peace River said:
Announcing the site to the public and making agreements future venues are two different timelines. Another recent change relates to MASNA organizing and coordinating the event instead of depending as heavily on local clubs. IMO there are many benefits to this change include more flexibility on future locations.

But yet they insist on having it during a time when people with families can't take a vacation. I guess they figure the little bit it saves on airfare and hotel cost will be more money spent with the vendors.

Rick.45cal · May 19, 2020

I’ll be surprised if there will be any conventions in the next couple years.

reefwiser · May 19, 2020

Opus said:
But yet they insist on having it during a time when people with families can't take a vacation. I guess they figure the little bit it saves on airfare and hotel cost will be more money spent with the vendors.

Any time is a bad time for someone.
Years ago when MACNA started we held them at the end of April. Today the venues have to be so large for the 4000 to 5000 people that they have to work years ahead trying to arrange a venue. This was going to be my 27 th MACNA. My wife stopped going years ago. As I spend the weekend with all my fish friends and she doesn’t want to get in my way trying to keep her happy. I see guys bring their families but unless your wife and kids are REALLY into the hobby. You will miss out on the 2 am bar talks about corals that for long time attendees come for every year.

James Kanouff · May 21, 2020

Sad news. As MACNA Orlando 2019 volunteer coordinator " JIM" , I was was looking forward to being involved again some how. More time to get ready for 2021 I guess. Hang in there fellow reefers, I expect the "A" game from everyone in 2021 lets do this!!