2010 Midwest Marine Conference

[cmpenney]

Midwest Marine Conference 2010
May 21 -23, 2010
Brought to you by the MarineLife Aquarium Society of Michigan
and the Cranbrook Institute of Science


This year think REEF !
Refocusing on Efficient and Effective Fundamentals
We are focusing on topics to reduce losses, reduce impact, and move toward a more sustainable hobby



After 11 years the Marinelife Aquarium Society of Michigan is expanding it's Midwest Marine Conference to 3 days of activities. Now attendees can enjoy a Friday reception and 2 full days of speakers, vendors, frag swap, and a massive raffle.



Speakers include

Jake Adams
John Coppolino
Michael DeGruy
Sanjay Joshi
Kevin Kohen
Richard Pyle



Full Conference Passes include all speaker sessions, Exhibit Hall, and access to the largest marine aquaria raffle in the state.

Visit http://www.midwestmarineconf.org for full details.

[ReeferRob]

Hey Chad,

Welcome to CR!! Great to see you here!

[igot2gats]

Hey Chad,

Welcome to CR!! Great to see you here!

Ditto onto what RB said - always glad to hear your thoughts, Chad. Welcome aboard.

[cmpenney]

Seachem Is now the latest Vendor to sign up for the Conference!
Seachem Laboratories. Sea the Difference (http://www.seachem.com/Home/index.html)


This is certain to be the best Conference we have ever done. Check the image below to get a look at how the exhibit hall is shaping up

http://www.midwestmarineconf.org/Layout.aspx?ID=96&Img=Layout.gif&Now=3/18/2010%2011:51:26%20AM

[thefishgirl]

Looking great Chad! Can't wait!

[cmpenney]

It's certainly going to be a sweet event. I expect the place to be packed on Sunday with the Swappers in there too.

[Manoj's Reef]

I am hoping to be there. I am making sure I have no travel during that time.

[Sir Patrick]

Wouldnt miss it!

[scubamomma]

im going to at least make it to the swap on sunday but it all sounds like a great time

[cmpenney]

We have some killer speakers this year too:


Speakers include


Jake Adams
John Coppolino
- Angelfish in Reef Aquaria: From QT and Adaptation to Pairing and Spawning
Michael DeGruy
- Creeps From the Deep and Other Stories
Charles Delbeek
Sanjay Joshi
- Reef Aquarium System Design: Principles and Good Practices
Richard Pyle

[Sir Patrick]

Swap is great- but conference is an experiance for sure!

[ec1452]

what is the price to get in on sunday will only beable to make it sunday

[cmpenney]

what is the price to get in on Sunday will only be able to make it Sunday

If you only want to come on Sunday after 12 noon then it is $3 a person which just gets you access to the exhibit hall. You can get in earlier to the Exhibit Hall for $10, which actually gives you access both days, if by chance you where able to stop in on Saturday.

If you want to see any of the speakers you will need to get a full conference pass no matter which day you come.

You can see all the ticket options and how much they cost at: http://www.midwestmarineconf.org/Tickets.aspx

[cmpenney]

Hey everybody,

Lucid Propagations Has just signed up as the latest vendor for the conference. Spots are filling up fast!

http://www.midwestmarineconf.org/banners/lucid.jpg

[tazzy695]

If you only want to come on Sunday after 12 noon then it is $3 a person which just gets you access to the exhibit hall. You can get in earlier to the Exhibit Hall for $10, which actually gives you access both days, if by chance you where able to stop in on Saturday.

If you want to see any of the speakers you will need to get a full conference pass no matter which day you come.

You can see all the ticket options and how much they cost at: http://www.midwestmarineconf.org/Tickets.aspx



ok chad which is it 10 or 18


MMC 2010 Exhibit Hall Only Pass

Ticket Information:
- Access to Vendor/Exhibit Area from 8am - 5pm
Saturday & Sunday
- No speakers
( You must present this ticket)
PRICE: $18
Last Date to Purchase: 5/21/2010 7:00:00 PM

[cmpenney]

I apologize, I was logged in when I double checked the price on the website and didn't realize it. So I was quoting the MASM Member price.

Here is the Breakdown:

MASM Members:
Full Conference: $25
Sat & Sun Exhibit Hall Only: $10
Sunday Swap: Free


Non-MASM Members:
Full Conference: $35
Sat & Sun Exhibit Hall Only: $18
Sunday Swap: $3

[cmpenney]

Instant Ocean, Marineland, and Perfecto are Donating a 45 Gallon Cube and stand for the conference raffle, Thanks to United Pet Group for this awesome donation!


http://www.midwestmarineconf.org/Raffle/Cube.jpg

[cmpenney]

Just got word from Jake Adams that he will be speaking on LED lighting technologies and plans to have some cool demos for new bleeding edge stuff to show off.

[cmpenney]

We've had a few people ask for the schedule for the weekend so I have posted it below. It is possible that the time and speaking slot could shift slightly as we get closer but this should be pretty close to how things will go down.

http://www.midwestmarineconf.org/schedule.png

[cmpenney]

Please Welcome Eco Reef Technologies as the latest Exhibitor for the 2010 Midwest Marine Conference. The Full Conference Booths are filling up fast!

http://www.midwestmarineconf.org/banners/ertbanner.jpg

[cmpenney]

Check out this list of some of the vendors we will have this year:

Boston AquaFarams
YZReef.net
Midwest Saltwater
Dirk's
AquaticLife
Aquatic Eco-Systems, Inc.
Digital Aquatics
CaptiveReefs
Paradise Corals
Paul's Corals
Inland Hobbies
Reef Hobbyist Magazine
Cherry Corals
Reef Nutrition
House of Corals
Instant Ocean
SeaChem
Lucid Corals
Reef Brite
Eco Reef Technologies
Marineland
Rod's Reef
Reef Stewardship Foundation

[cmpenney]

We are looking for Volunteers to help out working the floor during the conference, checking in people, setting up, tearing down, doing security, etc. In exchange for at least 5 hours of your time over the weekend volunteers will get:

$5 Discount on their ticket
2 Free Conference Shirt ( to wear during the event )
Access to the Speaker and Volunteer Lounge
And a Secret Saturday evening surprise that makes the rest of the stuff seem worthless.

We can split up your time between the days or you can do it all in one day. If you are interest please send me a PM and I will get you the information on how to get your discount.

[cmpenney]

http://www.michiganreefers.com/images/banners/preusspets.gif
It pleases me to announce that Preuss Pets will be sponsoring the beverage service for the Conference. A big thank you to Rick and all the folks at Preuss' for their continued support of the Midwest Marine Conference and the Reefing Community!

[cmpenney]

We have opened a very few swap tables for sale. Due to space issues these may be the only full tables with power that will be available at the swap.

See http://www.midwestmarineconf.org/Vendor.aspx to get all the details.

[cmpenney]

We are now down to only 6 booths left!

[cmpenney]

Well things just keep getting better! Kee's Aquarium has just signed on and is the the latest addition to the stellar lineup of vendors and exhibitor at this years Midwest Marine Conference.

http://www.midwestmarineconf.org/banners/kees.gif

Thanks Kee's for your support of this event.

[cmpenney]

We have officially opened up sales of 4ft tables for the sunday swap at only $8 a table. You can purchase and select your table directly off the Conference website at: Midwest Marine Conference Vendor information (http://www.midwestmarineconf.org/Vendor.aspx)

[cmpenney]

Reef Peddler is the latest vendor to be joining us for the Midwest Marine Conference. Thank you Reef Peddler for your continued support of MASM and the Reefing Community

http://www.midwestmarineconf.org/banners/reefpeddler.gif

[cmpenney]

All Swap tables are now open for purchase.
4ft tables: $8
8ft tables: $35-$45

Unlike in the past you can pick your table spots this year and we have raised the carrry in limit to 10 frags.

You can purchase tables off the conference website at:
http://www.midwestmarineconf.org/Vendor.aspx

[cmpenney]

http://www.midwestmarineconf.org/Raffle/Brightwell.png
Brightwell Aquatics has donated a ton of there top notch additives and supplements to the raffle

http://www.midwestmarineconf.org/Raffle/BRS-RO.jpg
Also Bulk Reef Supply has donated a full RO/DI system as well.
Thanks to both Brightwell Aquatics and BulkReefSupply.com for their generous donations!

[cmpenney]

The good news just keeps rolling in!
The Blue Glow has signed on as the latest commercial vendor for the Conference.

http://www.midwestmarineconf.org/banners/blueglow.jpg

With all the choice stuff there it's really going to be worth getting a Full Conference Pass or at least a Exhibit Hall Pass to get first crack at the cool stuff on Saturday!

[cmpenney]

I'm pleased to announce that the gang from CaptiveReefs.com will be joining us as a Exhibitor this year. Thank-you Captive Reefs for your support of the Midwest Marine Conference and MASM.

http://www.captivereefs.com/misc_images/captivereefs_banner2.gif

[cmpenney]

Hey everyone! Please join me in welcoming Amazon Stingrays as the latest Vendor to be joining us at the Midwest Marine Conference On May 21-23.

http://www.michiganreefers.com/images/banners/amazonstingrays.jpg

Thanks guys for your support of the Conference this year.

[cmpenney]

Once again we have more good news for the conference. Moby Dick's Pet Store has just now signed up to be a vendor at the conference.

http://www.masm.org/images/banners/mobydick.jpg

We are going to have a packed hall this year!

[ReeferRob]

Awesome guys glad everyone will be there!

[cmpenney]

And we aren't done yet. Just a little over a month and a half til the event now and we have just started selling swap tables and we are gettting raffle stuff arriving every day!

Lot's more updates to come, Promise!

[cmpenney]

It is with great pleasure that I am able to announce that Rod Reef, Maker of the the many varieties of Rod Food will be yet another vendor at the conference this year.
http://www.midwestmarineconf.org/banners/rods.gif
Thanks to Rod's for there support of this record breaking event.

[cmpenney]

Just got word Seachem will be donating:
3) buckets of our new Salinity salt http://www.aquavitro.com/Products/salinity.html
1) 100 gpd Pinnacle Plus RO/DI unit http://www.seachem.com/Products/product_pages/Pinnacle+RO.html
3) sets of our Reef Fusion 1 and 2 in the 1 Liter sizes http://www.seachem.com/Products/product_pages/ReefFusion.html

[cmpenney]

Just got some cool swag from the fine folks at Marine Depot and Premium Aquatics for the raffle...

It's starting to look like I'm going to need a U-haul to get all this stuff to the conference!

[cmpenney]

Less than a month and a half away now.. There are still swap tables available!

[cmpenney]

Hey everyone, Just got word that House of Corals (http://www.houseofcorals.biz) will be donating some frags for the raffle.

Thanks to the fine folks at House of Corals (http://www.houseofcorals.biz) for their generous donation!

[cmpenney]

Moby Dick's Pet Store (http://www.mobydickpets.com) has just thrown us some nice Gift Certificates for the Raffle. Thanks to the great people of Moby's for their support.

[cmpenney]

I want to see more corals!
Looks like I need to sweeten the pot a bit so from now till Friday you can get a 4ft table for the Swap on May 21st for only $5!
Thats only $2 more than what it costs to get in the door..

Just go to Midwest Marine Conference Vendor information (http://www.midwestmarineconf.org/Vendor.aspx) and use coupon code: SWAP4 when you buy the table.

So now lets see some corals start flying!

[cmpenney]

The good news doesn't stop! Blue Life USA has signed up to be a vendor at the conference this year.

http://www.midwestmarineconf.org/banners/bluelife.png

Thanks to the Blue Life USA crew for their support in making this a conference for the record book!

[cmpenney]

Just a little something to wet everyone's appetite. Here is a TED talk that was done just recently by Mike DeGruy, one of our featured speakers at this event.


http://www.ted.com/talks/mike_degruy_hooked_by_octopus.html

[fishtal]

Can't wait to see Mike in person! We're SO lucky to have him speaking for the Conference.

[cmpenney]

The folks from Fishchannel.com/Bowtie Inc. will be donating a copy of the most recent edition of Aquarium Fish International for every conference attendee.

http://i160.photobucket.com/albums/t183/cmpenney/cover_imageaspx.jpg

The head of AFI will also be attending the Conference so if you see Scott wandering around be sure to tell him thanks!

[ecoreeftech]

I will have baby clownfishes for sale at the event with amazing prices. Ocellaris, juvenile SI perculas, and some black ones too if I hear there is any interest. Let me know if you want a certain type of Michigan raised clown.

[cmpenney]

http://www.midwestmarineconf.org/Raffle/Aquafxro.jpg

The folks at AquaFX have donated a complete RO/DI System with Automatic shutoff and Membrane flush to our raffle this year.

Thanks AquaFX, for your support!

[fishtal]

I will have baby clownfishes for sale at the event with amazing prices. Ocellaris, juvenile SI perculas, and some black ones too if I hear there is any interest. Let me know if you want a certain type of Michigan raised clown.

Good to hear that there will be some CB fish at this event. :D

I plan on having some ready for the MASM swap in the Fall when I won't be quite so busy.

[cmpenney]

Piscine Energetics has generously donated 90, yes that is a 9 and a 0, 90 packs of 4oz PE Mysids to be given away at the event!

http://www.midwestmarineconf.org/Raffle/peshrimp.jpg

A huge thanks to the people at PE for this very cool donation!

[ReeferRob]

Man Im getting excited for this, can't wait.

[stunreefer]

Man Im getting excited for this, can't wait.
Oh no, if you're gonna be there then I'm not going :stupidme:

[schminksbro]

I am very much looking forward to this event as well!

[cmpenney]

Mark Vera of Phyto2 has donated several large jugs of there top quality Phyto2 and Zoo2 plankton for our raffle

http://www.midwestmarineconf.org/Raffle/Phyto2.png

Thanks Mark for your support!

[ReeferRob]

Which day is the raffle going to be held? I assume Sunday but wanted to make sure!

[CalmSeasQuest]

Here's the schedule of events (http://www.midwestmarineconf.org/schedule.aspx) (raffle at 4:00 on Sunday.)

Looking forward to the conference. I just bought tickets and booked a room for Friday and Saturday - I figured Cindi and I would make a little weekend get away out of it (Lots of great restaurants in the area :) )

[cmpenney]

Reef Brite has donated a very cool 24" Blue LED Strip Light system to our raffle

http://www.midwestmarineconf.org/Raffle/reefbrite.jpg

Thank you Joy, and all the great people of Reef Brite for this wonderful donation.

[ReeferRob]

Reef Brite has donated a very cool 24" Blue LED Strip Light system to our raffle

http://www.midwestmarineconf.org/Raffle/reefbrite.jpg

Thank you Joy, and all the great people of Reef Brite for this wonderful donation.

Skip the raffle, let's have an arm wrestling or rock, paper, scissors competition for that!!

[fishtal]

Here's the schedule of events (http://www.midwestmarineconf.org/schedule.aspx) (although it doesn't list the raffles.)

Looking forward to the conference. I just bought tickets and booked a room for Friday and Saturday - I figured Cindi and I would make a little weekend get away out of it (Lots of great restaurants in the area :) )

The raffle is listed at 4pm on Sunday. We're going to have a bunch of great stuff! :D

[Sir Patrick]

Sweet!!! I will be there sunday!!

Love a great raffle- and I think this one might be the best I have seen!

24" Reef Brite- :thumbsup: Think I need one of those....

[cmpenney]

Randy from Reef Nutrition has kindly donated these cool goodie bags:

http://www.midwestmarineconf.org/pix/reed_bag.jpg

We will stuff these with all sorts of cool stuff including the May issue of Aquarium Fish International, Issue 1 of Fish E News, samples from Hikari and Tetra, and some special offers, literature, and information from our vendors as well as a conference program.

And every Conference attendee will get one!

[cmpenney]

Inland aquatics
http://www.inlandaquatics.com/_borders/logo_sm.gif

Just donated a $50 Gift Certificate to the Raffle. Thanks to Inland Aquatics for this wonderful donation.

[cmpenney]

We'd like to thank the fine folks at AquaticLife LLC/ for their donation of a 36" T5HO Fixture with digital timer.

http://www.midwestmarineconf.org/Raffle/ALT5HO-1.jpg
http://www.midwestmarineconf.org/Raffle/ALT5HO-2.jpg
http://www.midwestmarineconf.org/Raffle/ALT5HO-3.jpg

Very Nice, Thanks guys.

[cmpenney]

MASM would like to thank Sea Dweller's of Angola for their donation of an Oceanic 29 gallon Biocube for our raffle.

http://www.midwestmarineconf.org/Raffle/Oceanic.jpg

This will make a nice addition to someone's livingroom!

[MUCHO REEF]

Hello Chad, long time? I really want to be there this wekend. I have been to most all of the national conferneces but never to the one right here in my own state. Bad me, I have a commitment to help a friend out on Saturday, but will try to wiggle out of it to come down. Hope to see all of you there and get caught up.

Mucho

[cmpenney]

I'll keep my fingers crossed for you Jerome. Hopefully you'll be able to make it down. You could always bring your friend with you to the conference you know :)

[cmpenney]

Captive Reefs has donated a pair of T-Shirts to the conference raffle. Looks like some people will be walking around the conference in style...

http://www.captivereefs.com/misc_images/tee-shirt-graphic.jpg

Thanks guys!

[cmpenney]

Please join me in welcoming ACAN Lighting, Inc.
http://www.acanlighting.com/images/stories/acan_anim.gif

As our latest Conference Vendor.

[fishtal]

The raffle is going to be seriously off the hook this year! Both Chad and I have our vehicles filled with stuff and I'm still waiting for several more boxes! I may have to make two trips to get everything there. :highfive3:

[jimsflies]

I guess I will be needing some cash for raffle tickets!!!!

I think my table is next to the raffle...so I have to sit there and be tempted the entire time. :duh:

[cmpenney]

That is our evil plan Jim :tongue_out:

[cmpenney]

So check this out. Acan Lighting has just donated this sweet LED light setups for our raffle:
http://www.midwestmarineconf.org/Raffle/AcanLrg.jpg
It's their 18" A101 Model LED lighting system.


http://staging.acanlighting.com/components/com_virtuemart/shop_image/product/A101%20Full%20light.jpg4b7eb84638976.jpg

I might be throwing in some raffle tickets for this one myself!

[cmpenney]

Reef Geek has donated one of their LET Lighting 48" 2x54W Miro-4 T5 High-Output Retrofit Kit w/ Bulbs. If your tank is in need of a lighting boost this is the item for you:
http://www.midwestmarineconf.org/Raffle/reefgeek.jpg

T5 high-output fluorescent retrofit kit complete with LET Lighting Miro-4 individual parabolic reflectors for each bulb made from 96% German reflective aluminum, electronic ballast with color-coded wire bundle with quick disconnect, power-cord, moisture proof end-caps, standoffs and 2 bulbs.

[fishtal]

That LED fixture would be really nice on my seahorse tank...

[cmpenney]

This year our vendors have really gone all out. We’ve got several that are giving away samples and freebies especially on Saturday. Others will also have special pricing and discounts available all weekend.

Aquarium Fish International:
Free copies of their May Issue + a special subscription offer

Rods Food:
Free sample packs of several varieties of their food and their cool new koozies

Hikari:
Free samples of several of their pelleted foods

Piscine Energetics:
Free 8oz Packs of PE Mysids first come first serve

Sera Marin:
Free bottles of Granules pellet food

Captive Reefs:
Giving away T shirts, Plus gift certificates to Pet Connection, Amazon Stingrays, Reef Solutions and Fish Doctors

Eco Reef Technologies:
Free Eco rock samples

Moby Dick’s:
Free T-shirts from Tetra

Free Copies of Fish E News Vol 1 & 2

Lucid Props: Specials
$10 spearmint pipe organ, favias, safecrackers, pokerstar montis, mangrove trees
$20 ORA red planet, Oregon tort, superman montis
$40 3" Deresa clams
$150-200 Tuamotu Maxima Clams

The Blue Glow: Specials on Acrylic Frag Racks

[cmpenney]

Reed Mariculture Has donated a 1 Pound of 90% GSL Artemia
http://www.midwestMarineConf.org/Raffle/Artemia.jpg

And 1 Liter of RotiGrow Plus
http://www.midwestMarineConf.org/Raffle/RotiGrow.png

to the Raffle.

Thanks to the guys at Reed Mariculture and Reef Nutrition for this excellent donation.

[cmpenney]

Reef Nutrition has donated a 4) 6oz Sampler packs of some of their hot products for the raffle

http://www.midwestMarineConf.org/Raffle/rnsampler.jpg
Each sampler pack includes one each of the following:
6oz Arcti-Pods
6oz Roti-Feast
6oz Oyster-Feast
6oz Phyt-Feast
16oz Marco-Feast
6oz Fuzzy Phytes
6oz Tigger-Pods

Thanks to the guys at Reed Mariculture and Reef Nutrition for another generous donation.

[jimsflies]

Thanks MASM for pulling the conference all together. I'm sure it was a lot of work to do.

Overall I think it was a great time. Looking forward to next year's conference.

[softiegirl]

++1! Super job! Alot of hard work! thanks to all! :big_grin:

[Sir Patrick]

Great swap guys!!!

Thx for putting another +A swap together again this year!!

[cmpenney]

Thanks to everyone that came this year. I hope everyone had a great time.

[Rook]

It was good to see everyone again. Lots of people I've not seen in a while. Swap is only three months away ;)

[fishtal]

Good to hear that you guys had a good time. :)

[cmpenney]

Well another MMC has come and gone. Our attendance was up 29% over last year and while we had a few hiccups, over all our first 2 Day event went very well. We had an amazing line up of speakers and some absolutely top notch vendors this year!

MASM would like to thank the Cranbrook Institute of Science for hosting the event for us. Reed Mariculture/Reef Nutrition for Sponsoring the Conference, Reef Hobbyist Magazine for our Media Sponsorship, and Preuss Pets for sponsoring the beverages. These companies really pulled out all the stops to help us pull this event off.

We’d also like to thank all of our vendors:

Reef Nutrition
Reef Hobbyist Magazine
Preuss Pets
Acan Lighting
Amazon Stingrays
Aquatic Eco-systems, Inc.
AquaticLife, LLC.
Boston Aqua Farms
Captive Reefs.com
Cherry Corals
Dirk’s
Eco Reef Technologies
House of Corals
Inland Saws
Instant Ocean
Kee’s Aquarium & Pets
Lucid Propagations
Marineland
Midwest Saltwater
Moby Dick Pet Store
Paradise Corals
Paul’s Corals
Reef Brite
Reef Peddler
Reef Stewardship Foundation
Rod’s Food
Seachem
The Blue Glow
YZReef.net

We saw some really sweet booths and very professional setups this year! MASM truly appreciates your support.

[Sir Patrick]

Who donated the inland saw and the vortech MP-10?? I would like to thank them, and give their company some "feedback"!!

I am still in disbeleif!! I didnt know what I won till it was handed to me! LOL!!

[cmpenney]

The Vortech was donated by Ecotech and the inland Saw was donated by Inland. :)

[cmpenney]

In order to improve next year's MMC, we would really would like to get some feedback from both attendees and people that did not attend.



If you decided not to attend this year, why? Was it the time of year, weather, speakers? What can we do to get you to attend next year?
If you did attend, What did you like about the conference this year? What were your thoughts on the presentation of the hall?
For people with passes to be there on Saturday & Sunday, what can we do to keep you at the venue longer each day?
For people with full conference passes, what affected your decision to attend or not attend a specific speaker this year?
What influenced your decision to buy or not buy items at the conference?

Please feel free to send your responses to: sales@masm.org (sales@masm.org), Thank you for your input.

[cmpenney]

No one had any thoughts or ideas they would like to share?

[Sir Patrick]

1. I attended again this year- but only made it out for sunday- work interfeared with friday and saturday

2. I thought the hall was great! The raffle was the biggest and best I have seen! I think you guys got this conference prety down pat!

3. No weekend pass

4. No conference pass. I would have tried to attend all of them, if possible.

5. Live stock- my tank was pretty full. Equipment- I picked up exactly what I needed, and planned on picking up at the swap. Great selection there! Wish I had more $$$!

[cmpenney]

For those that attended did the previous events this year have much effect on your spending?

[Sir Patrick]

Previous events had no impact on my spending.