JB & I are flying out today, Joel & AJ are already there.  Joe & Gered are coming tomorrow.

Thanks to everyone who has helped get us this far.

We will try to post some pics throughout the weekend.

After we get back & unwind it will be time to focus on Fall Fest.  It is coming up fast (Nov 6th) in Cedar Rapids so save that date.

Craig

Have fun guys! And good luck with those raffles!

Can you please let us know what the prices on stuff was like? Myself and others are weighing the cost of our admission to next years MACNA with the possibility that we would leave with good deals or more knowledge.

Personnaly I think it is a bit expensive for a trade show.

-JUstin

Ooooooo! Somebody said "Fall Fest"!! Woot!

Posted By Strong on 09/01/2010 09:51 AM
Can you please let us know what the prices on stuff was like? Myself and others are weighing the cost of our admission to next years MACNA with the possibility that we would leave with good deals or more knowledge.

Personnaly I think it is a bit expensive for a trade show.

-JUstin

Well there are only two possibilities to see all the vendors in our hobby and hear 10+ speakers of this caliber in one place. Look at the list of speakers already. I would say there is little doubt anyone will leave without gaining new knowledge including seasoned pros.

As far as the cost, the expenses are high. Two full meals is most of the attendee cost but there is much more as well such as advertising and other promotions. I agree it is a lot of money but it should be well worth it. We will see how the 6 of us feel after Sunday but I highly doubt there will be any regrets. 

Posted By xroads on 09/01/2010 08:32 AM
JB & I are flying out today, Joel & AJ are already there.  Joe & Gered are coming tomorrow.

Thanks to everyone who has helped get us this far.

We will try to post some pics throughout the weekend.

After we get back & unwind it will be time to focus on Fall Fest.  It is coming up fast (Nov 6th) in Cedar Rapids so save that date.

Craig

Hurry up! Patiently waiting ......

Been having a blast though watching Dolphins, Manatees, Sea Turtles and Sharks at Florida's Rescues and Preserves on the Gulf. Saw some de-oiled Sea Turtles and "Winter" the Dolphin who lost its tail in a crab trap and now has a prosthetic this morning.

Jealous...

Imagine all the people who are going to be jealous of all of us in Iowa next year at this time.

Today is set up day.

I will try to get some pictures later.

Just talked to the guy from Seasmart in Papa New Guinea. Gave us an open invite to come & dive with the villagers there. All you have to do is get there. I am planning on going for 2 weeks Jan of 2012.

They want to set up a dialoge with our club & get market feedback as to what us hobbyiest really want. To the village collectors, one coral looks the same as another.

They also have plenty of internships & jobs available if anyone is looking to relocate.

For our MACNA they are going to bring some of the local villagers & have a show during MACNA.

This is the organziation that collected the lighting clown. He hinted there are several other incredible morphs around there we havent heard of yet.

Also anything you collect there, they will ship it home to you. How cool would it be to have a fish or coral in your tank that you can tell people, "I collected that in PNG"

my bags are packed!! oh my god, how amazing!

Be sure to take some group photos of the GIRS group that went down!

Wow, I just got my first chance to walk the show floor. Not everything is setup yet, but it's still pretty amazing. I've been kind of bored with my tank lately (busy summer and all) but I'm fired up now. I want to change my tank completely based on some of the rock and lighting options on display... So pumped right now!

Craig and I have been talking to people all morning as they walk by the booth and we've had some great ideas proposed that might make next year's show incredible...

-JB