INDUSTRY FORUM @ MACNA

[clarionreef]

Guys,
Good news.
MACNA apparently has all its concurrent sesions in small rooms seating only 110 people!
That means that people will be turned away from the regular presentations all day [ over a thousand are registered ]and forced to find less prefered venues.
As the least popular topic at any and all MACNA/IMAC conferences the issue of sustainable fishing and the welfare of coral reefs may finally get a lot of butts in the seats.
We'll have a big room w/ available seating and the people turned away from Walt Smiths talk or Dustin Dortins may come see us!

Sincerely, Steve

 

[JT]

Hope Springs Eternal

 

[clarionreef]

JT,
Its not based on hope but on a calculation that we'll have the only place to sit down.
If people get turned away from too many talks...or have to stand during 1 1/2 hour presentations, they're gonna need a place to sit down after awhile.
I hope we don't see violence, shoving and stampedes!
To see a talk you really like, you may have to sneak in early or spend the nite in the room.
Its gonna be crowded at the talks...thats for sure.
Steve

 

[Anonymous]

Yep, I've been here too long, I'm starting to find your brand of pessimism far too entertaining.

 

[clarionreef]

Hey,
Thats the good side.
The dark side would be the stampede to crash the door that kills a few reefies and the mayhem in the press that would insue.
Steve

 

[JT]

JT,
Its not based on hope but on a calculation that we'll have the only place to sit down.

Hopefully. But, I've sat in on alot of, not all but alot of, "industry", AMDA, and MAC meetings that were complete no shows or snooze fests.

 

[dizzy]

JT,
I don't think there will be any snoozing at the industry meeting. A word to the wise: Bring your flak jacket for this one.
Mitch

 

[dizzy]

Discussion topics: House Bill 4928: Is this the end of the trade as we know it? Who do you think is behind it? Will PIJAC fight it? Will anyone else fight it? Or should we even try to fight it?
The MAMTI initiative: How long has this been in the works? How was it kept such a deep secrete? Who will benefit and who will lose?

Other topics of interest:
Can the industry survive a sudden switch to all aquacultured marinelife?
Can we change quick enough to save our industry?
Is MAC the only game in town?
These should be some interesting discussions folks and I believe there will be a great deal of behind the scenes information to be shared. No retailer should miss this one.
Mitch

 

[Anonymous]

Heck, I'm just a hobbyist but I wish I could make it just for this...

 

[JennM]

No retailer should miss this one.

MACNA is typically a hobbyist convention is it not? I've never been but from what I know it's mostly geared toward hobbyists/clubs.

With the fall trade show season ramping up, would it not be better to target retailers at trade shows? I can't get to MACNA but I'll be at Royal's show in October, as well as Central's road show in Atlanta...

I don't know how receptive the distributors would be to a booth for (AMDA?) educating retailers about this, but I'm sure that many (most?) are in the dark about this. The best way to get through to them would be to get them where they gather - at fall trade shows.

Just my thought...

Jenn

 

[dizzy]

Jenn,
Brad Ward told me that something like 60% of the people at the Ft. Fort MACNA were retailers. This was people who pre-registered and not just those who showed up at the door. I think most of the retailers who attend also happen to be hobbyists. Or maybe they don't want their customers to know more about husbandry and new product innovations than they do. (This year MACNA becomes a full blown trade show.) For me the best part is meeting the people who have been the leaders and the teachers of our hobby at the national level. Many of the authors of the popular reef books are some of the nicest people you could ever hope to meet.

I agree that AMDA needs representation at some of the major trade shows. We also want someone in attendance at the upcoming USCRTF meeting in Miami. Please remember that our funds are limited. Standing up for the rights of the independent retailers is not a popular position in all circles. The industry is changing for ever, I hope it is for better too.
Mitch