MACNA vs Reefapalooza

BestMomEver · Apr 16, 2019

What is the difference? Which one is better? I went to Reefapalooza this year and it was incredible but it’s the only show of its kind that I’ve ever been too. What does MACNA have to offer?

mannyhernz · Apr 16, 2019

Macna for new equipment releases,demos..reefapalooza for coral galore

JumboShrimp · Apr 16, 2019

I’d like to piggy-back off the original question: Would it be accurate to say that Reef-A-Palooza is geared more toward the ‘general public / hobbyist’ and MACNA is geared more toward ‘aquarium store owners/ professionals’— or would that be rumor and an oversimplification?

SandJ · Apr 16, 2019

JumboShrimp said:
I’d like to piggy-back off the original question: Would it be accurate to say that Reef-A-Palooza is geared more toward the ‘general public / hobbyist’ and MACNA is geared more toward ‘aquarium store owners/ professionals’— or would that be rumor and an oversimplification?

I have heard people say this about MACNA, but I don’t find it to be true. All the speakers are geared toward the hobbyists. And all the vendors are always happy to talk to my daughter and myself (with the exception of a small few that completely ignore us lol).

Auquanut · Apr 16, 2019

To piggy-back once again. If I can only spurge and go to one or the other (never been to a reef show), which would anyone suggest? I'm 5 hours from Chicago and 16 from Orlando.

joseserrano · Apr 16, 2019

RAP is better, MACNA heavily depends on where it is and actives planned around it. Vendors will hang out afterhours, and pretty much that is what makes it worth going if it is a cool location.

Jon Fishman · Apr 16, 2019

Auquanut said:
To piggy-back once again. If I can only spurge and go to one or the other (never been to a reef show), which would anyone suggest? I'm 5 hours from Chicago and 16 from Orlando.

Neither one would be my choice. I was looking at the Jason Fox site, and the tab for "Events" listed a bunch..... one about 15 minutes from me, $5 entry..... then I started looking up more..... I could hit an event every month probably within a couple hours from my house.

Are they as big as "Reefapalooza"? Of course not..... but hundreds on gas/flight/hotel, or walk into a nearby event (or local shop for that matter) with the extra cash in my pocket knowing I can buy that one stupid Zoa poly, or big mature maze colony etc........

If I lived maybe 4 hours from Reefapalooza, then I'd absolutely justify the trip...... from Chi-town? heck no.

Opus · Apr 16, 2019

Auquanut said:
To piggy-back once again. If I can only spurge and go to one or the other (never been to a reef show), which would anyone suggest? I'm 5 hours from Chicago and 16 from Orlando.

Don't forget about Aquashella in Chicago. Last I heard they were thinking of changing the venue because they had so many people wanting to come. They had their first show in Dallas a few weeks back and they said attendance was around 6,700.

mannyhernz · Apr 16, 2019

Macna Moore like a conference..
Reefapalooza more like a trade show..reefapalooza for coral...see how it looks this year with indo closed..

Auquanut · Apr 16, 2019

Opus said:
Don't forget about Aquashella in Chicago. Last I heard they were thinking of changing the venue because they had so many people wanting to come. They had their first show in Dallas a few weeks back and they said attendance was around 6,700.

My brother tried to go to Auguashella in Dallas. Said the line to get in was literally a quarter mile long.

Opus · Apr 16, 2019

Auquanut said:
My brother tried to go to Auguashella in Dallas. Said the line to get in was literally a quarter mile long.

Yep, they were in no way prepared for the crowd. It amazed me how many people were there without buying tickets online. The people in front of me had driven 8 hours but had not pre-purchased their tickets???

The wait in line was definitely worth it.

PacificEastAquaculture · Apr 16, 2019

Reefapalooza
•tons of livestock
•some equipment
•some speakers
•more laid back

MACNA
•lots of livestock
•incredible educational opportunities
•run like a serious convention, including sightseeing trips and usually something associated with local public aquarium
•virtually all equipment manufacturers, with latest new launches
•formal program including workshops

If you have the time and money to do just one I would say MACNA is it. If you participate in the talks and workshops and extra activities it is a chance for total immersion in reefkeeping for 3 days and definitely a truly memorable experience. I have been to and exhibited at both, more MACNAs than Reefapaloozas.

Ultimately, it depends upon your desires, experience level, and desired outcome.

Billldg · May 4, 2019

PacificEastAquaculture said:
Reefapalooza
•tons of livestock
•some equipment
•some speakers
•more laid back

MACNA
•lots of livestock
•incredible educational opportunities
•run like a serious convention, including sightseeing trips and usually something associated with local public aquarium
•virtually all equipment manufacturers, with latest new launches
•formal program including workshops

If you have the time and money to do just one I would say MACNA is it. If you participate in the talks and workshops and extra activities it is a chance for total immersion in reefkeeping for 3 days and definitely a truly memorable experience. I have been to and exhibited at both, more MACNAs than Reefapaloozas.

Ultimately, it depends upon your desires, experience level, and desired outcome.

What type of workshops do they have, didn't find any info on their site?

Peace River · May 4, 2019

Billldg said:
What type of workshops do they have, didn't find any info on their site?

The following info was posted in the MACNA sub forum on the workshop speakers:
MACNA 2019 Speakers - Group 1
MACNA 2019 Speakers - Group 2

It looks like there is more info to come about groups 3-5.

gmneil · Jun 19, 2019

I personally have been to a couple Macna and Reefapalooza shows.

my choice would be Reefapalooza all day. don't get me wrong they are both great but Reefapalooza wins out in my experience.

dantimdad · Jun 19, 2019

@BestMomEver you are to come to MACNA! We have to finally meet. LOL!

BestMomEver · Jun 19, 2019

dantimdad said:
@BestMomEver you are to come to MACNA! We have to finally meet. LOL!

I really want to. I’ll have to beg hubby. And... I will!

dantimdad · Jun 19, 2019

BestMomEver said:
I really want to. I’ll have to beg hubby. And... I will!

Hope so.

Opus · Jun 19, 2019

gmneil said:
I personally have been to a couple Macna and Reefapalooza shows.

my choice would be Reefapalooza all day. don't get me wrong they are both great but Reefapalooza wins out in my experience.

I would agree. I haven't been to Reefapalooza but assume it is close to Aquashella. MACNA is getting more and more geared toward manufacturers. Plus I have a small beef with them. They keep having it in these great venues that would be great family vacation spots but they always do it right after school has started so I can't make it a family vacation.

Opus · Jun 19, 2019

PacificEastAquaculture said:
Reefapalooza
•tons of livestock
•some equipment
•some speakers
•more laid back

MACNA
•lots of livestock
•incredible educational opportunities
•run like a serious convention, including sightseeing trips and usually something associated with local public aquarium
•virtually all equipment manufacturers, with latest new launches
•formal program including workshops

If you have the time and money to do just one I would say MACNA is it. If you participate in the talks and workshops and extra activities it is a chance for total immersion in reefkeeping for 3 days and definitely a truly memorable experience. I have been to and exhibited at both, more MACNAs than Reefapaloozas.

Ultimately, it depends upon your desires, experience level, and desired outcome.

You need to try and have a booth at Aquashella - Dallas next year. Would love to see all your clams. Should sell well. I think I only saw 4 or 5 clams at the show this year and I rarely see one at our lfs.