American Livebearer Assoc. Convention 2012

[Melody]

This is one you can talk the family into! You can reach many of Florida's attractions in under an hour, from the Everglades to the Florida Keys.

I'll update as more info. becomes available, or you can check the ALA website (http://www.livebearers.org), Facebook (http://www.facebook.com/AmericanLivebearerAssociation), or Twitter (http://twitter.com/ALALivebearers).


American Livebearer Association
:pompom:Convention 2012 :Biggrin:



When: April 26th - 29th, 2012
Where: Ft. Lauderdale

[Melody]

The convention website (http://www.livebearers.org) has details and online registration/payment options. Register before Feb. 29th and save $25! Stay at the beautiful Hilton Airport Hotel for just $99/night.

It will probably be the last year for hassle-free border crossing if you want to pick up some rare Livebearers to bring back. :frown:

FEATURING:
Collecting Native & Exotic Fish
Aquarium Plant & Fish Farm Tour
21 Class All Livebearer Show
7 Great Speakers
Saturday Awards Banquet
Huge Vendor Display
Hospitality Room Every Night
Giant Fish & Dry Goods Auctions
Fish Breeders Sales Tables
Wine Tasting Benefit Party
Live Fish Shipping FacilityWe'll also keep you updated through the ALA website (http://www.livebearers.org), Facebook (http://www.facebook.com/AmericanLivebearerAssociation), or Twitter. (http://twitter.com/ALALivebearers)

[Melody]

The convention is in full swing and the reports are of a wonderful time being had by all!

Some of the events/field trips had to be doubled into two groups due to an overwhelming response, and some still missed out because they ran out of spaces. Thursday's field trip to The Neighborhood Fish Farm included two busloads and the gracious hosts have been posting photos & blogging about it. The group left with some awesome Livebearers.

The ALA conventions are worth the trip! I was talking to our fearless leader about the BOD on the phone last week, but at that point nothing had been set in stone for the 2013 host. I should know before the weekend is out. ::D:

Of course, there are important club matters to attend to over the weekend too - lots of decisions are made. In fact, just last night I received an e-mail from my buddy Bill who shared one of those decisions: "We all decided that you REALLY NEED to come down here and party with us some time.":laugh: What a great group of fish-keepers!

[OldMan]

What a great meeting it was this year. There was Charles Clapsaddle of Goliad Farms telling everyone how to produce those prize winning fish he always breeds, a presentation on artificial insemination, the 7 poster presentations by graduate students, etc. I got together with the familiar faces from prior conventions and spent some time taking lots of pictures to send to Mel. Now I just need to label them before she gets that flood from me. The people from Morelia, formerly called Fish Ark, were there with the results of 2 different research projects they were involved in. One of the student poster presenters was also from Morelia. Language barriers proved a bit difficult, but when you actually try, you can understand people with strong accents. They did make the effort to speak english and it was up to us to help them be understood. It worked out.

Mel. I expect to meet you in the northern US next year. We have known each other on this forum for years now. I think it was Michigan but I am no longer certain. It is a single day's drive for me, I know that for sure.

[CACAdmin]

Sounds like it was a really great convention with some really interesting presentations.

[Melody]

Thanks Mr. OM, the pictures are wonderful! The student presentations are one of my fave features because they're always so interesting. I usually only see the accompanying materials, but a little fishy told me this year's convention will be available on DVD! I'll post here when it's up for sale.

You never know when I'll wander to a convention... probably the same year I hire an assistant. ::D:My part-time student isn't quite covering it anymore, but he's darned good at water changes. :yes:

[OldMan]

It will be available on DVD Melody. I was asked to "interview" the student poster presenters so that the content of their posters could be better represented by that DVD. I had already found lots of things I wanted to know more about so the "interview" function came easy for me. I also have written an article for the next Livebearer on my learnings from those very poster presentations. Maybe it will make the cut and actually get published. Bill Allen, the Livebearer publisher, already has it to review and critique.
I have tons of pictures from the convention so if there is anything more you want, just ask me for them. I may well have them if you want pictures from the convention itself. I have no field trip pictures because the field trips were fully booked before I even tried to sign up. BTW I am the one listed in your E-mail addresses as GHREED.