MACNA 16 information

[Moe]

Hi all,

CurtSwearing asked me to come on over and post some information about the 16th annual Marine Aquarium Conference of North America (MACNA XVI).

MACNA is a yearly hobbyist gathering with three days of speaker sessions and lots of learning. This year, MACNA will be held in Boston, MA hosted by the Boston Reefers' Society and presented in conjunction with the New England Aquarium.
At MACNA XVI there will not only be the hobbyist component, but sessions for those in Public Aquaria, and sessions for those in the industry.

We've got a ton of speakers already committed, and will be addning more to our list.

You can learn more by going to:
http://www.MACNABoston.com

Check out the exhibitors under the attendee info menu.
We're adding more each week.

One last note: early registration expires 31 Mar 2004, so register now to save a chunk o' cash.

Feel free to email me, or just post questions here - I'll watch the thread and aswer questions as I can.

Thanks,
Moe

 

[Curtswearing]

I went to last years IMAC and loved hearing from the different speakers. I would encourage everyone to attend a conference if possible.

I noticed you have quite a list of speakers on your web page.

Eric Borneman
Anthony Calfo
Dr. Bruce Carlson
Helmut Debelius
Charles Delbeek
Bob Fenner
Tom Frakes
Randy Holmes-Farley
Larry Jackson
Sanjay Joshi
Daniel Knop
Martin Moe
Dana Riddle
Walt Smith
Julian Sprung
Rob Toonan
Steve Tyree
Dr. J. "Charlie" Veron
E.O. Wilson
Joe Yaiullo

 

[Gina]

Thanks for the info! Not sure if we will be able to go but, you never know!

 

[wooddood]

thanks for the info,i would love to go but i really dont know for sure yet.it sure would be nice though.thanks again.

 

[NaH2O]

Hey Moe! Welcome to Reef Sanctuary! I'm really excited about going to MACNA this year. I do have a question regarding the workshops. Last I checked the MACNA site, the people conducting the workshops were not listed. Any idea who will be leading them?

 

[Moe]

Hi,
Answers for NaH20:
Anthony Calfo and Greg Hiller will conduct the coral propagation workshops.
Daniel Knop will lead the photography workshop.

Also of note...
Sanjay Joshi will lead a symposium on lighting the reef tank.

Thanks for the warm welcome folks. It should be a fun weekend. Boston in early September is really nice.

The hotel we booked (Hyatt Harborside) is right on the water, across the harbor from the New England Aquarium. Since we're presenting MACNA XVI in conjunction w/ the NEAQ, we'll have water taxis cruising back and forth between the Hyatt Harborside and the NEAQ.

From either the hotel or the NEAQ it's easy to get to public transportation (subway) and check out all Beantown has to offer. That'll be a great escape for family members that aren't addicted to the hobby.

Our Friday night cocktail cruise is aboard a mega-yacht, and we'll cruise around the harbor while folks mingle.

There will be more sponsors & exhibitors announced as we get closer to Sept.

Thanks,
Moe

 

[Pro_builder]

thanks for the great info! Welcome to RS

 

[Craig Manoukian]

Welcome Moe! Boston is a great town. The Freedom Trail is an absolute must.

My brother lived in the North End right next to th Old North Church while attending Tufts. You could see Paul Revier's statue from his flat window.

Don't know if I can make it, but with planning, maybe next year!

 

[Witfull]

moe, i was thinking of driving up so if i bought goodies i didnt have to UPS it home, then i talked to Emily about parking. $15 for parking overnight at the hotel? thats a bit steep. here in philly/ NJ- parking is validated for hotel guests. is there anything that can be done?

 

[Moe]

I'll talk to Emily and we'll try and figure something out. I'll get back to you.

 

[Moe]

I talked with Em.
The $15 overnight rate is already a discount from the Hyatt's rate of $22. We fought hard to get more of a discount - but no dice. Overnight parking ain't cheap in the big city - as you're probably aware from NJ and NY.
There might be ways around this, if you park elsewhere and take the subway over to the hotel. Not very convenient - but we pay for convenience, I guess.
Feel free to email me w/ questions.

 

[ReefLady]

Wit,

I still hope you can make it, but parking is nasty.

We (me & the family) went to the NE Aquarium a couple Sundays ago, and parked in the adjacent parking garage. Anything over 2 hours was $28.00. Yikes!

I actually thought $15.00/night was good for B'town. LOL

Moe - welcome!! Sorry I haven't spent much (okay, any) time with the Boston Reefers lately, but things have been crazy-busy. It's good to see you here, and I'll definitely see you in Sept., if not before.

Thanks for posting this here.

 

[cheeks69]

I think I might go for one day maybe sunday
I just hate going to Boston but what are the chances they'll come back here any time soon

ohhh and BTW :welcomera to RS Moe

 

[Moe]

Moe - welcome!! Sorry I haven't spent much (okay, any) time with the Boston Reefers lately, but things have been crazy-busy. It's good to see you here, and I'll definitely see you in Sept., if not before.

Thanks for posting this here.

No problem. You may want to come see Steve Tyree at the end of the month in Waltham, MA. He doesn't get out this way much.

BTW I am copying Don's set up on your website for my new 125g tank. Excellent design. Nice site.

 

[Witfull]

Originally posted by ReefLady
Wit,

I still hope you can make it,

still havent recieved any donations to the "Send Wit to MACNA Fund"....lol well i guess i can try and live with 15 per day if do manage to scratch up the funds. cause if i do go, i know ill be buying livestock(clams)!! and i want to take Knops photo seminar.

 

[Witfull]

well i hate to say it. i would really love to go and see everyone attending and learn a great deal and party till the wee hours with ya'll, but alas i cannot justify the cost overall. i did my impersonation of Curt and whipped out the calculator and did some figuring....well,, bottom line... with hotel, gas, parking fees, entrance fees, workshops, food and drinks...its around a $1000 total without buying clam one! for that money i could buy a bigger tank and have something more substantial to show for it. i know i cannot put a price on friendship and comoraderie, but....you know. maybe next year when its in a less urban high rent area, we can have a gathering. but Boston wont be happening for me this year.

i hope this doesnt dissapoint ya'll to much,,,LOL..ok,,,,now you can really party with out the lawman around,,,lol

 

[sharks]

Awe that stinks but I understand what you are saying about the cost.
I paid for mine awhile back to ease the cost come convention time. At least it will feel that way
Your still coming to the AC show right?
I have a whole shopping list for that convention. Hopefully I can parlay some casino winnings into some sweet new reef toys

 

[Witfull]

i hope to be at the backker show,,,waiting to see if they days off have been approved...if not, i just may get the flu,,,,cough cough.

 

[sharks]

LOL I already took of Friday and Sunday.
It's a little hard to call out of the LFS on Saturday tho :closed:
I hope to get there early on Friday before all the floor models are spoken for.
Last year I only made Sunday and all I got was 40% off my chiller. But then again that was a great deal and I won a few bucks at blackjack.
I’ll PM you when it gets closer

 

[jer-z-reefer]

did someone say Black Jack, where is the show at sharks??