why go to an aquarium trade show??

[Devaji]

so I was thinking about going to my 1st ever aquarium trade show. MACNA 2018 in vegas.
just wondering why you go? whats the point?

seems like you pay to get in only to shop. not having a LFS that would be cool to see all the stuff I cant afford. so whats the story are they worth going?

any deals to be had from vendors with MAP pricing?

 

[DracoKat]

it's great to see a HUGE selection to choose from instead of a small bit. A great way to meet people too

 

[tank o tang]

They usually have everything from big name businesses, to lfs, and hobbyist booths with cheap to high end corals, inverts, and equipment. Local smaller shows are a great way to meet local reefers.

 

[reefwiser]

Ah all the equipment is for sale plus you get to make friends with lots of people from around the world. This will be my 22nd MACNA I have Ben going off and on since MACNA 3 and have hosted 4 of them. The knowledge you will pick up is invaluable as at MACNA the serous hobbyist attend the show and have for years. The other shows are just big frag swaps with no learning involved and as there just to take your money. MACNA is a show about making you a better hobbyist. It’s my favorite time of year if I am having issues with my reef I know I can get serious answers from friends I have made thru the years. An that the they care about the hobby.

 

[Devaji]

thanks for the input guys. prob. just to the day pass my 1st year. after all cant take the GF to Vegas just to geek out at MACNA haha

 

[reefwiser]

My wife has learned not to go to MACNA. To much going on. [emoji3] A day pass is way too short a visit I wouldn’t be able to do much with one day. I am there for four days every year all the good info is at the party’s and bar around 10 pm at night.

 

[Devaji]

ha I Bet she did. but hoping maybe I could inspire her to get in to the hobby.
I looked on there website how do you know what day speakers are speaking?

 

[reefwiser]

Generally it’s on this page.
http://macnaconference.org/2018/schedule/

But it is not showing anything.

Also there is an app that goes live a month before the conference. This will let you see the schedule and set alarms for speakers that you want to see.
Many times you will be in the vendor hall when a speaker you want to see is getting ready to talk. An the speaker hall will be two blocks away. [emoji3]

 

[Daniel92481]

I was considering going to this as well. It would be my first time attending MACNA. What really peaks my interest is that all of the big names in the industry will be there. I picture walking in, and seeing a huge hall featuring Innovated Marine, Eco tech Marine, Hanna Instruments, Red Sea, WWC, Jason Fox Signature corals, Unique Corals, and the list goes on. All of the corals and equipment I see on the internet, right in front of me! Talking to and learning from the best of the best in the hobby. Plus, on top of all that nerdiness, it’s Vegas!

 

[reefwiser]

It is kind of mind blowing thing for a new first time hobbyist to such a show. If you are looking to get a new piece of equipment you can actually talk to the owner of the company and hold the piece in your hand.
Many times you have to rely on what others say about a piece of equipment. You can judge for yourself if it meets your standards. You will find that all the speakers would love to talk to you. Do not be afraid to strike up a conversation with anyone at MACNA they are as crazy into the hobby as you are.

 

[ca1ore]

I went to the first few MACNA conferences, mostly before the internet. It was an opportunity to catch up with some old friends and acquaintances and talk about ways to make the hobby better Most events long ago lost that intimate, organic feel. I really hate the commercial hussle, so I don't go.

 

[lvzx14]

I had planned on going to the last one but some stuff got in the way so was unable to attend which was a bummer. But once I found out that this year it is being held in my home town it more than made up for missing last years. Looking forward to meeting the vendors and actually seeing the products in person and talking with them in person. Really want to gain as much knowledge as possible from the experience, meeting the various coral vendors and bringing some nice new additions home with me.

This year has gone by crazy fast so not much more of a wait

 

[larryl]

I went to Macna twice, meeting fellow reefers and the good times can’t be beat.

 

[Daniel92481]

Has it ever been held in Houston? I heard last year it was in New Orleans.

 

[reefwiser]

I went to the first few MACNA conferences, mostly before the internet. It was an opportunity to catch up with some old friends and acquaintances and talk about ways to make the hobby better Most events long ago lost that intimate, organic feel. I really hate the commercial hussle, so I don't go.

I do miss the intimate nature of the early shows.
I feel responsible for bringing in the commercial aspect of the conference. As MACNA 7 was the first one our club hosted and we had a vendor room with corals for sale and a lot of equipment vendors of the day. It was the first one to really push that aspect forward. Am going now I see that the vendor and coral sellers really in to days world are a hindrance to learning for the hobbyist. Most attending the conference don’t even sit down and listen to the speakers. Which they really should. Because all the equipment and all the corals are wasted on a hobbyist that doesn’t have the knowledge to maintain and keep their aquarium healthy.
I go to see my friends thru the years and enjoy catching up with them in person. An event is what you make it. I have made it a get together with friends for a weekend.

 

[reefwiser]

MACNA 2018 by MACNAhttps://itunes.apple.com/us/app/macna-2018/id1405046430?mt=8

MACNA App is out.

 

[Livinlocal]

Woohoo!!

I’m really excited for this one.

 

[Devaji]

I was really looking forward to it. my GF was game for a trip to Vegas, but the cheaper airline I would take does not offer flights that weekend every other week in the year just not that one...booo and to spend a $1000+ on flights just to get there is out of the budget.

its only a 10hr drive tho...but my car as no AC...guess I shall see.