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We would like to take a moment to thank everyone that helped to make the 19th annual Marine Aquarium Conference of North America such a tremendous success. First of all, we would like to thank the attendees. Without you all, there would not have been a show. To say we were pleased with the turnout is an enormous understatement. We were absolutely thrilled with the number of attendees that came to MACNA XIX and are happy to report we broke the MACNA attendance record!
The exhibitors also had a large role in the success of MACNA XIX. Their strong presence helped make MACNA XIX a tremendous value for the attendees. In addition to sharing their new products with hobbyists, their booth rental fees helped underwrite much of the event. The low registration rates as well as amenities like breakfast each day and the open bars at the evening events would not have been possible without each and every one of them.
MACNA’s have long been remembered for their major raffles at the end of the show, and this year was no different. The cooperation we received from donors was nothing short of superb. There were even a number of companies that did not attend as exhibitors but still sent donations for the raffle as a show of their generosity.
We have a number of sponsors, and we really need to take a moment to thank them. World Wide Imports provided their Nature’s Ocean natural seawater for all the exhibitors, while Aqua-FX produced RO/DI water for everyone. Zero Edge, IceCap, EcoTech Marine, Euro-Reef, Marine Depot and Sailfert combined their efforts and donated a fantastic system to the raffle. Central Aquatics donated all of the set-ups in their booth as well as twenty-four 8-gallon Oceanic Bio-Cubes that were given away as door prizes after every speaker. UVL endowed a cash donation to partially fund the reception Friday night. Bowtie Publications subsidized the nice coolers that we distributed to all full show attendees. And last, Ocean Nutrition provided the fine lanyards and name badge holders, while Reed Mariculture supplied goodie bags for all the attendees.
We also need to take a moment to thank our volunteer staff. They worked tirelessly to make the entire weekend go forward smoothly. Without their combined efforts, things would not have gone off as flawlessly as they did. The MACNA XIX committee arranged for MACNA XIX to happen, but the volunteers really made the show work!
The fine folks at the Radisson Hotel and Expo-Mart Convention Center could not have been better to work with. From leading up to the show for the past year, to the event, and even after it was over, they all displayed utter professionalism and a helpfulness that went above and beyond their individual job descriptions.
We would also like to thank Lauren, Debbie, Elizabeth, and Caroline for putting up with us being away from home in meetings, talking on the phone, online, and everything else we did for the past year-and-a-half in preparing for MACNA XIX. They were all very understanding and without their love and support, we would not have been able to do the show.
Anthony Calfo and Christine Williams were tremendously helpful in putting together the program for the show. They really did the lion’s share of the work and put together a beautiful program despite us giving them all of the information at the last minute and in total disarray. By combining the program with “C the Journal,” every attendee got a program and a copy of this fine magazine.
The advice and counsel of Kelly Jedlicki, Eric Borneman and Anthony Calfo was invaluable. Their insights and willingness to give of their time helped us all along the way.
The spirit of cooperation was strong with the past two years’ host clubs. Steve and Craig of WAMAS/MACNA XVII and Kim, Shane and Brad of MARSH/MACNA XVIII all gave us information and advice whenever needed. Their willingness to share information openly allowed us to avoid past mistakes and build on their successes. To that end, we are pledging to continue that cooperation in assisting Atlanta make MACNA XX even bigger and better. We hope to see you all next year!
Sincerely, Adam Cesnales and Steven
Pro
Co-Chairs of MACNA XIX
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