Who's ready for Macna?

[TYSDADI]

Macna is only 2 months away!! I am very excited it is going to be the first trip that my wife and I will be on by ourselves since my son was born almost nine years ago.
Is there anyone else out there who can't wait? Lets get a list of Reef Central members who will be attending Macna together. Maybe we can all meet there and have a drink or something.
Also if anyone knows of some fun non reef related activities to do in the area please post as well.

[d2mini]

Macna is only 2 months away!! I am very excited it is going to be the first trip that my wife and I will be on by ourselves since my son was born almost nine years ago.

Same here but our daughter was born only 2 years ago this past may. ;)
Regardless, we are excited. :p

As far as non-reef activities.... well {cough cough} :thumbsup:
Plus, a whole lot of NOTHING!!! I will have my kindle in one hand, a drink in the other. And in between all of that I will dunk myself in the pool/ocean.

[The_fishkeeper86]

It will be my first ever macna this year! Luckily my girlfriend and I live in driving distance to the convention, I'm really pumped.

[vitodog]

This will be my second MACNA (Dallas - 2012), can't wait.

[TYSDADI]

As far as non-reef activities.... well {cough cough} :thumbsup:
Plus, a whole lot of NOTHING!!! I will have my kindle in one hand, a drink in the other. And in between all of that I will dunk myself in the pool/ocean.

{cough cough} is definitely on the itinerary!;););)

I was however looking for some suggestions on bars, beaches, clubs ect..

[TYSDADI]

It will be my first ever macna this year! Luckily my girlfriend and I live in driving distance to the convention, I'm really pumped.

Are you staying for the weekend or are you doing a day trip?

[JYoung]

What is Macna and where is it?

[Rensmif]

What is Macna and where is it?

A very, very,...VERY simple search would tell you all about it.

http://www.macna2013.com/

[DeepThought]

Ill be there with my wife. Im excited.

[acroacro]

i just booked my trip from belgium and now the full passes are out of stock...
help!!!:debi::deadhorse1:

[bnumair]

i was there in Dallas and will be in Miami too.

[TYSDADI]

i just booked my trip from belgium and now the full passes are out of stock...
help!!!:debi::deadhorse1:

full access passes are sold out, but day passes will be available. Either at the door or pre order.
You may be able to find someone who bought a full access pass but can't go. They are transferable.

[dr. todd]

Ill be there the first one Ive ever been to. Dont know what to expect hoping its cool.

[bnumair]

Ill be there the first one Ive ever been to. Dont know what to expect hoping its cool.

u wont be disappointed.

[acroacro]

coming especially from belgium to visit all of you!:rollface:

[Jackg962]

Went to Dallas last year, looking forward to driving to MACNA this time. Hope to win a tank or some more good stuff. Since i will have a pickup truck at my disposal

[DaveMorris]

A bunch of us from San Diego will be there! Can't wait. It should be a very fun time. And if you haven't booked your hotel room, you better do it quickly. The prices have gone way up.

[TYSDADI]

coming especially from belgium to visit all of you!:rollface:

Wow. Thats pretty far. I hope to meet you there.

[TYSDADI]

here is a condenced list of people who are going to be at Macna this year. I hope to meet everybody.
I will try to keep this list up to date.

TYSDADI
d2mini
The_fishkeeper86
vitodog
DeepThought
bnumair
dr. todd
acroacro
Jackg962
Mattiejay6
DaveMorris

[acroacro]

here is a condenced list of people who are going to be at Macna this year. I hope to meet everybody.
I will try to keep this list up to date.

TYSDADI
d2mini
The_fishkeeper86
vitodog
DeepThought
bnumair
dr. todd
acroacro
Jackg962
Mattiejay6
DaveMorris

Would be nice to meet you all @ macna, since it is my first year i will recognise nobody, people should run around with a picture of their tank on their forehead, so i recognise them.
:rollface:

[TYSDADI]

238225
Here is a somewhat recent fts. I'll print it out and wear it on my head. Lol

[10reefman]

I'm not no money

[TYSDADI]

I'm not no money

Sorry to hear that. Maybe next year.

[Vinny Kreyling]

With all that's going on I never get out of the hotel.
Look for me in my fish tee shirts.

[MarlinDreams]

i was there in Dallas and will be in Miami too.

Same here. My wife and I will be leaving Tulsa and staying in the area for a week. Now just need to get into shape for the beach, thinking that Greenpeace may try to throw me back in the water and then if they do, a Japanese whaling fleet my try to harpoon me!!!!

[TYSDADI]

Same here. My wife and I will be leaving Tulsa and staying in the area for a week. Now just need to get into shape for the beach, thinking that Greenpeace may try to throw me back in the water and then if they do, a Japanese whaling fleet my try to harpoon me!!!!

I think the Japanese whaling fleets try to stick to the pacific. You should be ok...:thumbsup:

[MarlinDreams]

Not for the kinda money they would get for me, lol. We are sure looking forward to this trip, sounds like it will be 100% awesome.

[acroacro]

238225
Here is a somewhat recent fts. I'll print it out and wear it on my head. Lol

I wish i could bring you some great frags, but i think it might not be the best idea ever...
But dont worry i ll bring you a beer!!!

[TYSDADI]

I wish i could bring you some great frags, but i think it might not be the best idea ever...
But dont worry i ll bring you a beer!!!

Sounds like a plan...
Six weeks to go!!!
I'm guessing that this will be a long six weeks :sad2:

[hahaiminflorida]

Even though I'm relatively new here, you can bet I'll be there. I'm looking forward to meeting reefers from all over. I have a feeling I'm about to go way over budget for this event...

[batman7303]

So jealous, I would love to go but can't get off work. Maybe one of these days. I know this may be a crazy question but do they have anything like Macna on the east coast?

[SailAnnapolis]

wish It wasn't labor day weekend. I can never get away on this labor day weekend.

[moogoomoogoo]

Has anyone seen a schedule yet? Can't find one on the website

[TYSDADI]

Has anyone seen a schedule yet? Can't find one on the website

Thursday
Early Registration 3:00pm-5:00pm

Early Registration 7:00pm-9:00pm

Friday
8:00am-7:00pm
MASNA Meeting 8:00am

Vendor Hall Open for MASNA 9:00am

Vendor Hall Open to Attendees 10:00am

Speaker Start Time 10:00am

Vendor Hall Close 6:00pm

Reception 7:00pm

Saturday
9:00am-7:00pm
Vendor Hall Open to Attendees 9:00am

Speaker Start Time 10:00am

Vendor Hall Close 6:00pm

Banquet 7:00pm

Sunday
9:00am-2:00pm
Vendor Hall Open to Attendees 9:00am

Speaker Start Time 9:00am

Raffle Start 12:00pm

Vendor Hall Close 2:00pm

[moogoomoogoo]

thanks that helps, but still specific schedule for the speakers.

[TYSDADI]

thanks that helps, but still specific schedule for the speakers.

I'll post the speaker schedule as soon as I see one.

[chris@CoralVue]

If anyone has a room reservation at the Westin Diplomat they can't use please let me know. Email or message me, thanks.

chris@coralvue.com

[acroacro]

if it is a cute single girl asking, i might have a bed available...:lmao:

[TYSDADI]

if it is a cute single girl asking, i might have a bed available...:lmao:

That's not right. We all know it doesn't matter if she's cute. Lol.

[acroacro]

I must say you have a point there...
I know there is a macna dinner and a macna reception, but is there an official macna party?

[DeepThought]

Should tickets to the vendor show be purchased in advance or can they be purchased at the door?

[Deinonych]

thanks that helps, but still specific schedule for the speakers.

They posted a speaker schedule on their Facebook page.

[TYSDADI]

Friday Aug 30th

9:00am Tony Vargas (Intro to Macna and successful reefs)
10:00am Tracy Berutti (Instant cycling)
11:00am Mathew Wittenrich (larvae in your reef aquarium)
12:00pm Mark Callahan (The strategy of saltwater fish selection)
1:00pm Sanjay Joshi (random thoughts from my reefkeeping experiences)
2:00pm Vincent Chalias (Coral farming from Bali)
3:00pm Terence Fugazzi (What really matters in an aquarium controller)
4:00pm Scott Fellman (Into the coral jungle)
5:00pm Martin Moe (Breeding yellowhead jawfish)

[TYSDADI]

Saturday Aug 31st.

9:00am Chingchai Eukrongtham (Dsps tank from Thailand)
10:00am Craig Bingman (Calcium, magnesium and alkalinity)
11:00am Kevin Cohen (deviating from the norm)
12:00pm Keri O'Neil (One coral at a time)
1:00pm Jose Deick (calcium reactors)
2:00pm Julian Sprung ( coral reef conservation)
3:00pm Jake Adams (The best aquarium for corals is not a reef aquarium)
4:00pm Dana Riddle (In search of the perfect lamp)
5:00pm John Coppolino (Sps success)

[Dustin1300]

Was about to sell off my ticket and pulled the trigger on reservations/plane today. Looking forward to another MACNA and looks like this will be a great one!

[TYSDADI]

Was about to sell off my ticket and pulled the trigger on reservations/plane today. Looking forward to another MACNA and looks like this will be a great one!

I agree Dustin. I can't wait either. Looking forward to meeting you as well. Lets make this the best macna ever!!!

[edman79]

I'll be going but only on Sunday. I have to work that weekend. I work nights in an ER. I get out at 7AM and will be driving up afterwards.

Eddie Ed

[TYSDADI]

I'll be going but only on Sunday. I have to work that weekend. I work nights in an ER. I get out at 7AM and will be driving up afterwards.

Eddie Ed

Great. We'll see you there.

We are getting closer and closer.

[TYSDADI]

Three weeks to go. We can't wait to see everything and everybody!!

I am very interested in almost every speaker/topic. I hope that I can absorb all the information that will be flowing all weekend.

[d2mini]

What can one expect from the vendors on Saturday?
Are their freebies? Deals to be had? Things to look for?

[Airtex]

We are going and it couldn't be a shorter drive this year...it is almost 40 minutes

hahaiminflorida....if you have a budget you are already in trouble :-)

For all you out o town folks....there are more places to drink and party in the area than you can imagine...

[TYSDADI]

Should tickets to the vendor show be purchased in advance or can they be purchased at the door?

Yes they can be purchased at the door. Or you can get them from macna2013.com. Day passes are still available.

[moogoomoogoo]

We are going and it couldn't be a shorter drive this year...it is almost 40 minutes

hahaiminflorida....if you have a budget you are already in trouble :-)

For all you out o town folks....there are more places to drink and party in the area than you can imagine...

tell me the name of some great eating places in the area. thanks

[TYSDADI]

With only two weeks to go I think I may actually make it. Time to do a nice thorough cleaning on my tanks, take lots of pics and continue the countdown.:rollface:13...:rollface:

[moogoomoogoo]

is there anything to see snorkeling off the shore at the hotel?

[xroads]

This will be my fourth in a row

[TYSDADI]

Time to start packing. Does anyone know how much to expect in giveaways? Should I bring an empty suitcase?

Still counting down. 8 days!!!!

[moogoomoogoo]

Expect to take home a lot of stuff. Liquid items will need to be packed in your suitcase. I average 16 new T shirts every MACNA.

[TYSDADI]

Expect to take home a lot of stuff. Liquid items will need to be packed in your suitcase. I average 16 new T shirts every MACNA.

Thanks, Thats exactly what i wanted to know.
I will be disappointed with anything less than 16 T shirts now. LOL
7 days to go. :bounce3:

[Jackg962]

gotta love those "I am a Reefer" shirts too. i cant wait, the four hour drive will be a breeze

[greech]

Friday
8:00am-7:00pm
MASNA Meeting 8:00am

Vendor Hall Open for MASNA 9:00am

Vendor Hall Open to Attendees 10:00am

So if you were to become a MASNA sponsor/member, you can get in early?

[64Ivy]

I'll be driving from Los Angeles (2357 mi) beginning today; in just a few minutes in fact. Should arrive on the 27th if all goes well.

Anyone coming from farther away than this?

[blackthunda77]

I'll be driving from Los Angeles (2357 mi) beginning today; in just a few minutes in fact. Should arrive on the 27th if all goes well.

Anyone coming from farther away than this?

LOL, Sheesh. Driving? Probably not, not unless someones driving from Portland, Alaska, or Canada, haha. Flying wise, we have many people flying in internationally, a few of the speakers as well. This is going to be a GREAT event! :celeb1:

[d2mini]

Can anyone explain the raffles?
The website says there is one raffle each day. But the schedule page only lists a raffle on sunday. I'm only going on saturday.

[blackthunda77]

Whats going to happen is that there will be a table with raffle items. Each item will be marked as to which day it will be raffled off. Usually, the bigger, high value items will be raffled off on sunday which is the main raffle day. Smaller items are usually raffled off on friday and saturday afternoon. Also there will most likely be tanks and other items spread out across the showroom floor that will be raffled off and again they will be labeled with which day they will be raffled off.

HTH

[d2mini]

Thanks! And I assume you have to be there for each item?
Do you buy tickets for each specific item you are interested in or is it random?

[blackthunda77]

Not exactly sure how it will work this year, im not in charge of the raffle. But last year, for the friday and saturday raffle they would call out the numbers and save the prizes till the next morning for whoever didnt claim it on the spot. In the morning there would be a board with the raffle# and prize associated and you had a second chance to claim it. As for the sunday raffle, i believe you have to be there, and they give you like 15 minutes to claim it otherwise it goes back into the group and gets raffled off again.

You buy as many tickets as you want and put them in any prize, they are not associated to any particular prize.

[cherubfish pair]

Can't go but hope mrsaltwatertank will make a video of the vendor show highlights like he did last year.

[TYSDADI]

TYSDADI
d2mini
The_fishkeeper86
vitodog
DeepThought
bnumair
dr. todd
acroacro
Jackg962
Mattiejay6
DaveMorris
Vinny Kreyling
MarlinDreams
hahaiminflorida
Dustin1300
edman79
Airtex
xroads
moogoomoogoo
Jackg962
64Ivy

[cherubfish pair]

Can't go but hope mrsaltwatertank will make a video of the vendor show highlights like he did last year.
I'm especially hoping he will do a review on Avast Marine's new automatic ZEOlith reactor. It's debuting at MACNA.

[moogoomoogoo]

Did they cut a deal with the hotel that WiFi is free?

[blackthunda77]

I just want to correct my previous statement. I spoke to the people in charge of the raffle this year and YOU HAVE TO BE PRESENT at all the raffles to receive your prize. You CANNOT claim your prize at a later time.

[Deinonych]

I will be there. Really excited about the speakers (and the gear, of course).

[TYSDADI]

OK, the wait is finally over. I catch my plane tomorrow morning at 6am. see everybody there. Have a great time!!!

[ChloroPhil]

Tysdadi,

Where're you flying out of? I'm leaving Harrisburg at 8. Stop by the Brightwell Aquatics booth and look for Phil. I'll be there and would love to meet another PA reefer.

Cheers,
Phil

[TYSDADI]

Tysdadi,

Where're you flying out of? I'm leaving Harrisburg at 8. Stop by the Brightwell Aquatics booth and look for Phil. I'll be there and would love to meet another PA reefer.

Cheers,
Phil

I will be flying out of philly. I certainly will look for you.

[bhsgk]

I am trying to talk my wife into driving down on sunday as that is the only day we are available to go. this would be my first macna and im wondering if it is worth it just to go for one day? and with it being the last day will there be anything left? will i still get "goody bags" and free stuff?

[acroacro]

TYSDADI
d2mini
The_fishkeeper86
vitodog
DeepThought
bnumair
dr. todd
acroacro
Jackg962
Mattiejay6
DaveMorris
Vinny Kreyling
MarlinDreams
hahaiminflorida
Dustin1300
edman79
Airtex
xroads
moogoomoogoo
Jackg962
64Ivy

Are we all meeting up or what?
Cant wait! Just got my badge!!!

[aquaman05]

Does this start Friday ?

[acroacro]

Does this start Friday ?

Yes! You better hurry!

[Chas19]

Think I may drive down Sunday. I have to work Saturday so it will be a early day for me sunday to make the 4 hour drive.

[WhoDey64]

I am working as a volunteer all three days in the AM can't wait to meet you all :)

[TYSDADI]

I am having a blast here at macna. If anybody is at the reception I am standing near the rear bar wearing grey pants and shirt.

[acroacro]

I am having a blast here at macna. If anybody is at the reception I am standing near the rear bar wearing grey pants and shirt.

Damn, i will only get in when it opensfor the public, i am wearing a black macna polo and white linnen trousers.
But maybe you will be to loaded by then... Lol

[SushiGirl]

We're on our balcony looking at the party. On our way in a few minutes. Short brown flowered skirt, long curly hair, big guy next to me LOL.

[TYSDADI]

We will be here for a while. Please try to find us. My wife is wearing a short black dress.

[biggles]

My wife is wearing a short black dress.

Trust me mate - everyone will be looking hard to find you now.........:p

[SushiGirl]

With gold spikes on the shoulders?

[TYSDADI]

Gold chains. !!!

[acroacro]

Change of outfit, i am now wearing a blue/white vertically striped shirt and white trousers...
C you all in 15 min!!!

[SushiGirl]

I think I just saw you go over the bridge on your way back LOL. We just came back to the room. Getting old sucks! Knee & back are killing me...ugh. only 9 pm!!!

[reefinder]

Be there tommorow

[TYSDADI]

I think I just saw you go over the bridge on your way back LOL. We just came back to the room. Getting old sucks! Knee & back are killing me...ugh. only 9 pm!!!

Where are you we would very much like to meet you!!

[billsreef]

So who all saw the mermaid? :D

[acroacro]

Not even midnight and the "party" is closed.... Wuuuuuhaaaaahaaaahaaaaaaaaaaa

[SushiGirl]

We'll be in the ballroom tomorrow. I'll be wearing a turquoise shirt with a clown in a crown on the front & "Real Girls Reef" on the back.

Bill, we saw her get carried into the restaurant. I wanted a pic with her, but didn't get my way. My bf got vid of himself with the lobsters. Not sure what that last costume change was supposed to be LOL. We talked to Brett for a bit on the way over to the party & I got my hand kissed by The General.

Acroacro, did the party not move into the restaurant/club? Man the music was way too loud in there after they cranked it up! No way to talk to anyone in there & outside was almost as bad...we got away from the speakers. I'm here to talk to people!

I have to figure out when to squeeze in some beach or pool time.

[moogoomoogoo]

did anyone stay to listen to the speaker at the banquet? I left at intermission as did most. Felt kind of bad for the speaker

[blackthunda77]

did anyone stay to listen to the speaker at the banquet? I left at intermission as did most. Felt kind of bad for the speaker

Yes, it was a very good speech and video presentation. You guys missed out. However, it was a presentation that he gave before and he was aware that there will be an intermission to allow those that already saw it to exit. The thought process was that it would be better for people to leave during the intermission than for people to leave while he was speaking or to be bored and speak among themselves.

[SushiGirl]

We stayed. It was good, but it was so cold I broke my sunglasses hugging my purse LOL,

[billsreef]

Kind of hard not to stay and watch Richard Pyle speak. Some incredible video of a live coelacanth, not to mention other very cool deep water fish.

[MarlinDreams]

So who all saw the mermaid? :D

And the Lobsters and fish girls. Sort of suprised that people left when they did. Maybe they thought when the outside bar packed up it was over. The inside place had a bar for awhile. The food selection was awesome I thought.

[SushiGirl]

I think people left when the drink tickets were gone.

[GreshamH]

I think people left when the drink tickets were gone.

$10 beers are hard to stomach :D

[billsreef]

$10 beers are hard to stomach :D

That's always a problem with high end hotels in spots like this. You spend as much for a beer as you can buy the case at the grocery store.

Gresh,

Sorry I never got the chance to find you at the reception. This MACNA was so packed with people I felt lucky just to see some old friends long enough to simple say hi. Some I didn't even manage that with the crowds.

[TYSDADI]

Sorry I didn't get to meet everyone. Maybe next teat. I will be In Colorado. Hopefully there will be more time to meet everybody.

[Plato]

$10 beers are hard to stomach :D

That's why me and my friend took ten fifths and three cases of beer. We had one case left only because we forgot about it in the room fridge. :hmm5: