Here is my 2c on the FFM. It is the largest number of coral vendors of any show. The whole point of the show is to get together a TON of coral vendors. There are 20+ dry goods places too, but it is mostly coral vendors. With that many vendors, you will find whatever coral you are looking for, and then a few others you didn't know you needed. The set-up fee is VERY low for shops and even lower for hobbyists, and it is only a one day show so they don't feel like they need to make up their money = lower prices. With that many vendors, there is a TON of competition, which means if one guy is asking too much- go to the next room and find the same coral. Most of the vendors will bargain with you, some are more willing to go low than others but bargains are to be had for sure.
I hear you on the 3 hours but I always look at it as I would drive an hour to go to a good LFS, or to pick up pieces from a hobbyist. This would be a 3 hour drive to see 100 different vendors- most of them coral vendors.
I run the show, so I am biased, but admission is only $5, so its not like one person more or less is going to kill my school program (where all the proceeds go to). You will not regret taking the ride out. Everyone that comes out, comes back the next year.
Stop by and introduce yourself if you decide to come out.
-Jon
I hear you on the 3 hours but I always look at it as I would drive an hour to go to a good LFS, or to pick up pieces from a hobbyist. This would be a 3 hour drive to see 100 different vendors- most of them coral vendors.
I run the show, so I am biased, but admission is only $5, so its not like one person more or less is going to kill my school program (where all the proceeds go to). You will not regret taking the ride out. Everyone that comes out, comes back the next year.
Stop by and introduce yourself if you decide to come out.
-Jon