DFWMACNA2012
09-25-2011, 01:05 AM
Greetings, from Dallas, TX USA and the home of MACNA 2012. This post/thread is intended to give a little insight to those of you that may have never attended a Macna before, or those who are considering going again next year.
MACNA 2012 will be in Dallas next September 28-30th, and hosted by DFWMAS. Our club is extremely excited to host Macna again after 10 years and on our 20th anniversary as a club. We started the process nearly 3 years ago, and after an exhaustive search, we identified a group of hotels that could possibly work, but in the end, only one was just right for MACNA.
Each hotel had its positives and negatives. Some were too spread out, others didn’t have enough rooms or vendor space for the 100+ vendors that will converge upon DFW for the non-stop reefing weekend. Other hotels couldn’t handle the 2,000+ attendees or the line-up of more than 2 dozen speakers. After a search that lasted 13 months, the selection committee settled on the Sheraton Downtown Dallas (Downtown Dallas Hotels | Sheraton Dallas Downtown Hotel (http://www.sheratondallashotel.com)). Reservations: http://www.starwoodmeeting.com/StarGroupsWeb/res?id=1109065095&key=3D49
Capable of housing more than 3,000 aquarists, and upwards of 150 booths, it was a perfect match. The hotel recently underwent a 91 Million dollar renovation, which left in its wake an unprecedented sports bar, all new state-of-the-art rooms, a huge internet hub, and improved dining throughout the venue. The rates for the hotel will be 114.00 per night, and INCLUDES FREE Wifi in the rooms for all attendees. A short walk across the skywalk, or the street, and aquarists will be in reefing heaven.
DFWMACNA will house vendors from all over the world, showing off thousands of corals and the latest products. We’ll have cheap Margarita bars in the Vendor Hall so everyone gets a little taste of that Texas flair that we in Dallas are so proud of. Free samples from the vendors will range from food supplies to T-Shirts, and everything in-between. The show will last three solid days, and that’s barely enough time to stop by every vendor that will be attending.
Speakers will also be coming from areas all over the globe to mingle and present to aquarist during almost every hour in-which the show is taking place. Topics range from lighting to the latest techniques in breeding or coral fragging. Each speaker is also often available during the entire weekend to answer any follow-up questions by hobbyist, or possibly grab a drink with after hours.
Friday is the opening day of the show, and will feature speakers nearly all day. It’s capped off by a reception that is not to be missed. We have a Casino night with food, drinks, and a very unique raffle like no other, so plan on attending and spending the night.
Wake up early Saturday and head back over to the vendor hall for nearly a dozen more speakers and lots of great deals. Topping the night off is a banquet, which features a key note speaker, great food, and lots of time to unwind and catch up with old and new friends.
Sunday brings an end to the show, but not before a few more speakers and the mother of all raffles. Thousands of dollars worth of aquarium equipment and trips are donated and raffled off, and aquarists can often walk away with hundreds, if not, thousands of dollars worth of items because the odds of winning are often very good.
Getting to Dallas is easy from anywhere in the Canada. Either by taking an extremely long drive down I-35, or a quick Flight into DFW International Airport. We have negotiated a 5% discount (7392AZ) on airfare to DFW through American Airlines(Airline Tickets and Airline Reservations from American Airlines | AA.com (http://www.aa.com)), if so you choose to go that route. You have to book online thru aa.com and enter the promotion code.
Plan on making it out to DFWMACNA for a long weekend of new friends, education, shopping, exploring the city, and lots of fun. We’ll see everyone September 28-30th, 2012 at the Sheraton Downtown Dallas.
Register now to get the best rate currently available. Homepage - DFW MACNA (http://www.dfwmacna.com)
MODS/BODS: If there is anything wrong with this post, please feel free to edit it, move it, or contact us.
MACNA 2012 will be in Dallas next September 28-30th, and hosted by DFWMAS. Our club is extremely excited to host Macna again after 10 years and on our 20th anniversary as a club. We started the process nearly 3 years ago, and after an exhaustive search, we identified a group of hotels that could possibly work, but in the end, only one was just right for MACNA.
Each hotel had its positives and negatives. Some were too spread out, others didn’t have enough rooms or vendor space for the 100+ vendors that will converge upon DFW for the non-stop reefing weekend. Other hotels couldn’t handle the 2,000+ attendees or the line-up of more than 2 dozen speakers. After a search that lasted 13 months, the selection committee settled on the Sheraton Downtown Dallas (Downtown Dallas Hotels | Sheraton Dallas Downtown Hotel (http://www.sheratondallashotel.com)). Reservations: http://www.starwoodmeeting.com/StarGroupsWeb/res?id=1109065095&key=3D49
Capable of housing more than 3,000 aquarists, and upwards of 150 booths, it was a perfect match. The hotel recently underwent a 91 Million dollar renovation, which left in its wake an unprecedented sports bar, all new state-of-the-art rooms, a huge internet hub, and improved dining throughout the venue. The rates for the hotel will be 114.00 per night, and INCLUDES FREE Wifi in the rooms for all attendees. A short walk across the skywalk, or the street, and aquarists will be in reefing heaven.
DFWMACNA will house vendors from all over the world, showing off thousands of corals and the latest products. We’ll have cheap Margarita bars in the Vendor Hall so everyone gets a little taste of that Texas flair that we in Dallas are so proud of. Free samples from the vendors will range from food supplies to T-Shirts, and everything in-between. The show will last three solid days, and that’s barely enough time to stop by every vendor that will be attending.
Speakers will also be coming from areas all over the globe to mingle and present to aquarist during almost every hour in-which the show is taking place. Topics range from lighting to the latest techniques in breeding or coral fragging. Each speaker is also often available during the entire weekend to answer any follow-up questions by hobbyist, or possibly grab a drink with after hours.
Friday is the opening day of the show, and will feature speakers nearly all day. It’s capped off by a reception that is not to be missed. We have a Casino night with food, drinks, and a very unique raffle like no other, so plan on attending and spending the night.
Wake up early Saturday and head back over to the vendor hall for nearly a dozen more speakers and lots of great deals. Topping the night off is a banquet, which features a key note speaker, great food, and lots of time to unwind and catch up with old and new friends.
Sunday brings an end to the show, but not before a few more speakers and the mother of all raffles. Thousands of dollars worth of aquarium equipment and trips are donated and raffled off, and aquarists can often walk away with hundreds, if not, thousands of dollars worth of items because the odds of winning are often very good.
Getting to Dallas is easy from anywhere in the Canada. Either by taking an extremely long drive down I-35, or a quick Flight into DFW International Airport. We have negotiated a 5% discount (7392AZ) on airfare to DFW through American Airlines(Airline Tickets and Airline Reservations from American Airlines | AA.com (http://www.aa.com)), if so you choose to go that route. You have to book online thru aa.com and enter the promotion code.
Plan on making it out to DFWMACNA for a long weekend of new friends, education, shopping, exploring the city, and lots of fun. We’ll see everyone September 28-30th, 2012 at the Sheraton Downtown Dallas.
Register now to get the best rate currently available. Homepage - DFW MACNA (http://www.dfwmacna.com)
MODS/BODS: If there is anything wrong with this post, please feel free to edit it, move it, or contact us.