A huge consumer trade show for aquarium hobbyists in Chicago

[P4Angels]

[BallAquatics]

They have been talking about this on the Blue Zoo for months..... not quite sure what to make of it.  They tried something similar in the UK and most of the hobbyists I spoke with said it was just too commercial and not really hobbyist oriented.   $$$$$$$$$$

Dennis

[BillT]

most of the hobbyists I spoke with said it was just too commercial and not really hobbyist oriented.

If not hobbyist oriented, I wonder if it was directed toward other businesses.

One of my favorite meetings to go to is the annual Aquaculture America meeting (next year in Seattle, February I think).
This is mostly large scale fish keeping but also has a lot of zebrafish lab stuff. The trade show is amazing. I don't think I have ever bought anything there (other than books) but its a good place to meet people and see the most current technologies.
This show is mostly business to business or university.

[BallAquatics]

I think the biggest complaint with the UK show was that it was billed as something to boost the hobby aimed at the hobbist, but then they didn't sell fish and many of the other things that got visitors excited.  Imagine going to the showing and finding super cool fish or plants and then being told that they weren't for sale.  Hopefully, the promoters of this show took a lesson from the UK failture.

Dennis

[Mugwump]

I don't believe that they learned from the UK. It's looks pretty commercial heavy. I know a few are helping with the setups. Lots of drawings and prizes tho. The displays and speakers are excellent too.

[Rjb3]

I passed on the $350 table.

[Mugwump]

update link....with pics....I posted it elsewhere too...doh

http://www.gcca.net/forumindex/19-misc-boards/32819-update-from-aquatic-experience-chicago

[BallAquatics]

Cool, looks like Brantley & Dawn are set-up right next to the GCCA booth.

Dennis