MAAST meeting idea

[C.Mydas]

Im not sure where I should post this, so feel free to move it.

Soooo...I was thinkin.

We all have garages/fish rooms/closets full of fishy stuff we've outgrown or forgotten about.

I think one of the monthly meetings (maybe 2...1 in Austin, 1 in SA)...or maybe one 1/2 between both in San Marcos or something should be at a swap meet or flea market.

Its extremely cheap to rent a space.

The goal would be to have everyone bring stuff they've been wanting to sell. (including tanks if they want to haul 'em in)

Then we advertise the begeesies out of it, and hope to draw not only fellow MAASTards but fish people (freshies too) in general.

It could turn into an annual thing, but I do think it should be a 'big event'...where the public is invited not just MAAST re-selling to MAAST, even though knowing us that would be more than enough.

If its succesful in a couple years we might be able to rent the convention center (the cheapest one..lol) and hold a weekend long one where anyone not just MAASTards could sell gently used fishy stuff at drastically reduced prices. Heck, our sponsors could set up booths too (of course no selling just advertising).

What do ya'll think? Or am I being overzealous again? ;)

It would be a great way to clean out our overcrowded 'fish areas' all at once instead of one item at a time in the forums.

Just an idea.

Oooh wait..they keep coming to me. The swap meets get flooded with people ...talk about recruting new blood. They could get everything they need for a set up without all the misinformation.

Ok now seriously I'll shut up.

[captexas]

The club actually tried this awhile back. It was held in San Marcos (Landa Park?)and was a swap meet/BBQ. Everyone was all excited about it, the club spent a lot of money buying food, and then hardly anyone showed up! Our then president ended up with a lot of brisket in her freezer. It might be worth trying again and I think once a year in a midway point between Austin and SA so that more people will attend and there is more stuff for people to check out.

[brewercm]

How would everyone feel about making it a bring any stuff you want to get rid of and the money collected goes to MAAST. Kind of a fund raiser with folks donating goods for sell, your choice if you wanted to bring anything or not to sell or just look to buy, either way would benefit the club.

Edited my post because part didn't make sense.

[LoneStar]

I like the idea. I can be a good meeting for some people working on projects or new members to score some good deals. I know I have a bunch of cr@p in the spare bedroom (pvc fittings, old filters, hoses, stuff like that). Letting it go to people who need it better at a rock bottom price would be worth freeing up the space.

[NaCl_H2O]

Nice try, but it ain't gonna be that easy to get rid of Brian's junk :lol

I'll post a link to this thread in the Meeting's Committee forum so they can come & comment.

Thanks!

[GaryP]

The swap meet that captexas mentioned was a year ago and we had issues with the weather that day. The club is a lot bigger now and I think turn out would be better. We did have a pretty good turn out for the family day picnic event in Blanco last fall and something along those lines would be a good event.