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RE: MACNAXX

wbeavers — Tue, 02 Sep 2008 21:02:33 GMT

I am looking for someone to take on my three night reservation for the Westin Peachtree Plaza at the rate of $119 a day plus fees & taxes. This is the hotel that MACNA is being held in. I am unable to go & want to pass this on. These have been booked for months. The rate is currently $192 a night. No dibs no holds. I want to make sure this is gone. Please PM me with your contact info, and we will work out the details. This is completely free.
Bill

RE: MACNAXX

argi — Tue, 02 Sep 2008 17:21:40 GMT

CTReefer (9/2/2008)

Thanks for posting that Keith & let's hope that it is accurate. Sorry if I caused any undue panic around here.

Well we all know how well they can predict these things. Who knows how accurate that actually will be. I guess only time will tell.

RE: MACNAXX

CTReefer — Tue, 02 Sep 2008 11:06:18 GMT

Thanks for posting that Keith & let's hope that it is accurate. Sorry if I caused any undue panic around here.

Steve

RE: MACNAXX

argi — Tue, 02 Sep 2008 08:21:39 GMT

I think you guys will be ok in Atlanta.

RE: MACNAXX

MACNAXX — Tue, 02 Sep 2008 08:17:48 GMT

Whooooooaaaa Nellyyy............

Here is the most recent forecast for Atlanta:

Tuesday: Partly to mostly cloudy. High 84F. Winds E at 10 to 15 mph.
Tuesday night: Partly cloudy. Low 64F. Winds E at 5 to 10 mph.
Wednesday: A few passing clouds, otherwise generally sunny. High 87F. Winds E at 5 to 10 mph.
Wednesday night: A few clouds. Low 64F. Winds light and variable.
Thursday (24 hours): Plenty of sun. Highs in the upper 80s and lows in the mid 60s.
Friday (24 hours): Occasional showers possible. Highs in the mid 80s and lows in the upper 60s.
Saturday (24 hours): Mix of sun and clouds. Highs in the upper 80s and lows in the upper 60s.
Sunday (24 hours): Mix of sun and clouds. Highs in the mid 80s and lows in the upper 60s.
Monday (24 hours): Partly cloudy with a stray thunderstorm. Highs in the upper 80s and lows in the mid 60s.

All the computer models have it go WAY far away from Atlanta.

RE: MACNAXX

CTReefer — Tue, 02 Sep 2008 08:09:34 GMT

ALERT!!

Depending on what happens with hurricane Hanna, no one may be going to MACNA XX this year! I hope that's not the case but the picture does not look good right now. The airport may be shut down on Thur.

Let's hope not as I know that we are all looking forward to this event.......

Steve

RE: MACNAXX

argi — Mon, 01 Sep 2008 06:43:20 GMT

Unfortunately I will not be there this year.

It looks like it is shaping up to be a good one though. Make sure everyone takes lots of pictures so I can see what I missed.

RE: MACNAXX

Puffer Queen — Mon, 01 Sep 2008 06:29:38 GMT

You might see me there Carl - I try to keep a low profile and enjoy life.

RE: MACNAXX

MACNAXX — Mon, 01 Sep 2008 06:25:17 GMT

Steve is being modest. He will also be doing a talk on Friday on Marine Toxins and a workshop on Sunday on Hosting MACNA. I think we also have him down as bartender somewhere....

RE: MACNAXX

Steven Pro — Mon, 01 Sep 2008 05:46:06 GMT

I will be at the Red Sea booth and I am sure you can find Anthony at his booth for The Journal C.

RE: MACNAXX

Reefski — Sun, 31 Aug 2008 21:35:12 GMT

I'm going.

i am a MACNA virgin.

how can we find some of the people from the forum who will be there?

RE: MACNAXX

Reefski — Sun, 31 Aug 2008 21:34:50 GMT

I'm going.

i am a MACNA virgin.

how can we find some of the people from the forum who will be there?

RE: MACNAXX

Steven Pro — Sun, 31 Aug 2008 16:58:16 GMT

I will be there along with about a dozen other Pittsburgh folks.

RE: MACNAXX

gwen_o_lyn — Sat, 30 Aug 2008 17:34:24 GMT

macna is gonna rock - I'm getting so excited!!! We worked on attendee packets all day today. Its getting down to the line!!!

who all is going???

RE: MACNAXX

MACNAXX — Fri, 30 May 2008 11:56:39 GMT

This year is going to be huge - we have about 600 people pre-registered 98 days from the event!

Tomorrow is the last day for registering at $129! Save $30 to spend on raffle tickets to Fiji!!!

RE: MACNAXX

MACNAXX — Sat, 10 May 2008 12:46:58 GMT

Ok, time for another MACNA XX update before the price goes up at the end of the month!!! Check out our website at www.macnaxx.com for more information (the website is also going through a transformation by the end of the month). Let us know if we can do anything else to make your stay in Atlanta enjoyable!

As you know, we have record numbers of attendees and exhibitors this year, and a huge number of incredible speakers!!

We are also trying a few new things to entice you – including a Children’s Program involving local venues within walking distance of the hotel for those of you that want to appease your family (ages 5-12) to justify the massive amounts of money you pay for raffles and other goodies. The Children’s Program is being offered at cost, and can be pre-registered on our website starting later this week.

Also, UPS will have a booth in the trade show to allow easy shipment of all your animals and equipment (or your family if they object to your purchases!)

You may have heard about the tornado that went through downtown Atlanta a few months ago, damaging the Westin Hotel (but missing the Georgia Aquarium). There was damage to many windows, which are in the process of being replaced, but there was no structural damage and it is basically business as usual. Friday they gave us another 20 rooms, and they will go fast, so if you want to be at the conference hotel, you had better hurry! We also have contracted at other hotels next door at the same low rate, so there will be plenty of room.

You may have also heard the exciting news that the Georgia Aquarium is now expanding to include another 1.3 million gallons – making the total 9.5 million gallons. That is the good news. The bad news is that this new section will not be ready for this year’s MACNA. The general exhibits at the Georgia Aquarium will not be affected by the construction at the time of MACNA (other than possibly the outdoor sea lion exhibit).

The following is the schedule (subject to change). The workshops are limited to a small number of pre-registrants to allow more of an intimate atmosphere. There is a nominal charge to ensure that the workshops are filled. The proceeds will be donated to a non-profit charity of the speaker’s choosing. You should be able to sign up for workshops by the end of this week.

MACNA XX – Conference Schedule

Friday – September 5, 2008

09:00 am MASNA Board Meeting

11:00 am MASNA Member Preview of Trade Show

11:00 am Raffles Begin

12:00 pm Tradeshow Opens

12:00 pm Welcome

12:00 pm Dr. Hugo Freudenthal: The Role of Zooxanthellae

01:00 pm Children’s Program: Children’s Museum ($27.50)

01:15 pm James Fatherree: The Latest Advances in Aquarium Lighting

02:15 pm Dr. Bruce Carlson: Status of Reefs in the Wild

02:15 pm Workshop: Jake Adams: MacGyver Aquarium Techniques

03:15 pm Scott Fellman: Authentic Biotope Presentation for the Aquarium

04:15 pm Eric Borneman: Conservation and Coral Nutrition on the Reef

04:15 pm Workshop: Dr. Al Dove: Test Kits and What do they really mean?

05:15 pm Matthew Wittenrich: Fish Breeding Techniques

06:15 pm Steven Pro: “I touched it – NOW WHAT?” Reef Toxins

06:15 pm Workshop: Bob Fenner/Marj Awai: Photography

07:00 pm Silent Auction Begins

07:00 pm Children’s Program: Young Chef’s Academy ($32.50)

07:30 pm Cocktail Party: Speaker: Koji Wada: Japanese Aquariums

Saturday – September 6, 2008

07:30 am SaltwaterU Teen Program – Teen Presentation for 2008 trip

08:00 am Children’s Program: New World of Coke ($27.50)

08:00 am Dr. Sylvia Earle: Sustainable Seas: Recognizing Finite Resources

08:00 am Trade Show Opens

09:15 am Ray Davis: Whale Shark Research

09:15 am Workshop: Jake Adams/Tim Woolston: DIY Filtration/Plumbing

10:15 am Cathy Sakas: NOAA Resources for Educators

10:15 am Jim Walters: New and Unusual Fish for Nano Reef Aquariums

11:15 am Larry Jackson: Reef Travel Destinations

11:15 am Workshop: Anthony Calfo: Coral Propagation

01:00 pm Children’s Program: CNN Center ($27.50)

01:00 pm Dr. Nancy Knowlton: TBA

01:00 pm Tom Wyatt: Advanced Aquarium Chemistry

02:00 pm Dr. Rob Toonen: What can deep coral reefs tell us about coral bleaching, reef resilience and reef aquaria?

02:00 pm Workshop: Kelly Jedlicki: Fish Necropsy

03:00 pm Bob Fenner: TBA

03:00 pm Christine Williams: Keeping Fishes Healthy and Treating Diseases

04:00 pm Scott Fellman: Marine Plants and Algaes

04:00 pm Workshop: Julian Sprung: How to grow your own food

05:00 pm Special Behind the Scene Tours of the Georgia Aquarium

07:00 pm Children’s program: Pajama Party with Pizza/Movie ($24.50)

07:15 pm Banquet in the Georgia Aquarium by Wolfgang Puck

Speaker: Joanne Ruxton – Behind the Scenes as an Underwater

Wildlife Producer for the BBC

Sunday – September 7, 2008

08:00 am Children’s Program: Georgia Aquarium ($32.50)

08:00 am Dr. Alex Brylske: Uses of the Reef in Medicine and Industry

08:00 am Trade Show Opens

09:15 am Charles Delbeek: Coral Diseases and Pests

09:15 am Workshop: Anthony Calfo/Phillip Root: Large Aquaculture Techniques

10:15 am Dr. Kim Cobb: Records of Climate Change through Coral

10:15 am Kim Hall: The Tropical Diver Exhibit at the Georgia Aquarium

11:15 am Michael Cottman: Researching a Sunken Slave Ship: The Wreck of the Henrietta Marie

11:15 am Workshop: (Panel) How to prepare, bid for & plan a MACNA

01:00 pm (Panel) The Future of the Reef-Keeping Hobby

02:00 pm Grand Finale Raffle Drawing

RE: MACNAXX

Steven Pro — Sat, 29 Dec 2007 20:43:49 GMT

No problem. That is what we (mods) are here for.

RE: MACNAXX

MACNAXX — Sat, 29 Dec 2007 16:31:23 GMT

Obviously I am a bad editor.......sorry!

RE: MACNAXX

Steven Pro — Sat, 29 Dec 2007 16:30:20 GMT

MACNAXX (12/29/2007)

Sorry - Christine Williams is listed twice (once without an "n").

I fixed it for you and changed me to Steven with a V. I am looking forward to it!

RE: MACNAXX

MACNAXX — Sat, 29 Dec 2007 15:58:46 GMT

Sorry - Christine Williams is listed twice (once without an "n").

RE: MACNAXX

MACNAXX — Sat, 29 Dec 2007 14:12:24 GMT

This is the last chance to get the $109 price for MACNA 2008! The price for the conference is only $109 for all three days including the banquet and trade show, but will go up to $129 after December 31st, 2007.

Other Confirmed MACNA speakers:

Dr. Bruce Carlson

Dr. Sylvia Earle

Eric Borneman

Anthony Calfo

Dr. Alex Brylske

Dr. Kimberly Cobb

Michael Cottman

Jake Adams

Dr. Al Dove

Ray Davis

James Fatherree

Cathy Sakas

Larry Jackson

Marj Awai

Jim Walters

Dr. Rob Toonen

Scott Fellman

Robert Fenner

Phillip Root

Steven Pro

Christine Williams

Matthew Wittenrich

Kelly Jedlicki

Charles Delbeck (will confirm in April due to potential schedule conflicts)

More speakers will be confirmed soon.

Sign up now at www.macnaxx.com or pay more after December 31st!

RE: MACNAXX

Anthony Calfo — Sun, 09 Dec 2007 10:36:17 GMT

and looking forward to another great MACNA with an incredible venue!

RE: MACNAXX

MACNAXX — Sat, 08 Dec 2007 16:23:13 GMT

What do you mean you are coming? You are one of the main speakers!!!!

Steve

RE: MACNAXX

Anthony Calfo — Sat, 08 Dec 2007 15:01:24 GMT

Thanks Steve/ATL... outstanding to read! I'll be there with bells on. Oh, wait! That's only after open bar events

Kudos

RE: MACNAXX

MACNAXX — Sat, 08 Dec 2007 14:04:43 GMT

Glad to hear you are coming!

e-mail Kevin at macnaxx.gmail.com to make sure your reservations are set.

Look forward to seeing you there!

Steve

RE: MACNAXX

CTReefer — Sat, 08 Dec 2007 07:01:14 GMT

Hi Steve: WOW! Sounds terrific. I pre-registered at the last MACNA. Question: I have not heard back regarding room reservations which I believe were supposed to be booked by your group. So, should I call the hotel directly in order to check on my reservation? I also like the fact that we can take the train from the Airport to the Hotel.

Looking forward to the best MACNA to date!!

Steve

RE: MACNAXX

MACNAXX — Mon, 03 Dec 2007 07:07:44 GMT

Macna Update....

A MACNA teaser - our main banquet speaker....

Joanne Ruxton

Behind the Scenes as a Underwater Wildlife Producer for the BBC

Joanne studied Zoology at London University and moved to ChinaBlue Planet team in 1997. Since that time she has been involved in numerous underwater film projects.

Prior projects include:

Blue Planet
Deep Blue
Death on the Reef
Deep Trouble
Live from the Abyss
Under the Skin - Antarctica
Under the Skin - Penguins
Smart Sharks
Shark Roulette
Shark Coast
Dive to Shark Volcano
Wild Caribbean

Pacific Abyss

RE: MACNAXX

Spracklcat — Sun, 28 Oct 2007 17:05:57 GMT

And thanks for setting up the kid's movie--great idea, and it will make it easier for families to come (and one parent not stuck behind for the banquet).

RE: MACNAXX

redsonja — Sun, 28 Oct 2007 08:08:03 GMT

Greg and I are already registered and looking forward to it!

-Sonja

MACNAXX

MACNAXX — Sat, 27 Oct 2007 12:08:42 GMT

MACNA XX September 5-7, 2008 in Atlanta

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

We are excited about this year's MACNA conference. We already have Pre-registered and paid as many as most of the total attendance of the first 15 or so MACNAs, so it should be huge. Combine that with a great hotel, great speakers, cheap flights, and the Georgia Aquarium and we have everything to try to get you guys to have a good time while in Atlanta.

The hotel is great, and the room night of $119 can't be beat, it usually is in the $250-300 range. We were able to negotiate pretty well, but rooms are going fast.

There is a lot to do in Atlanta if people come early or bring significant others - CNN, Olympic Park, the Georgia Aquarium, the Children's museum, the world of Coke, and Hooters (hey, I know my audience) is within a 5 minute walk, and MARTA goes from inside the airport to the hotel for $1.75 - so no cab charges. The same MARTA can take you to the Braves, shopping centers, etc. We are also getting together a kids program (popcorn and movies in the hotel) to allow parents to go to the banquet and speakers. We will offer that at cost.

Oh, and the banquet is food by Wolfgang Puck. No open bar like Pittsburgh, but good food inside a great banquet hall inside the largest aquarium in the world with two windows - one toward the largest indoor aquatic exhibit in the world (over 6 million gallons - the size of a football field) that includes four whale sharks and the other one toward the four beluga whales.

Please use this thread to ask questions and I will try to check in to answer them. You can also check out our website at www.MACNAXX.com. If the administrator could make this a sticky and add our banner that would help alot.

So who is going and how can I help?

Steve