TMAC (Texas Marine Aquarists Conference)

[BIGBIRD123]

) http://i76.photobucket.com/albums/j20/onebrickstrait/tmacsmalllogo.jpg http://www.maast.org/images/logo-3db.png

Marine Aquarists Association of South Texas
presents

TMAC Texas Marine Aquarists Conference
Saturday March 21st, 2009
San Marcos Conference Center
I-35 and McCarty Lane
San Marcos, Texas
Directions & Transportation

From Austin, Texas:
Take I-35 South toward San Marcos, Texas. Exit at the McCarty Lane Exit (Exit 201). Take a left on McCarty Lane.
From San Antonio, Texas:
Take I-35 North toward San Marcos, Texas. Exit at the McCarty Lane Exit (Exit 201). Take a right on McCarty Lane.
From Houston: I-10 West to U.S.... View all directions, map, and airport information (http://embassysuites1.hilton.com/en_US/es/hotel/SNMESES-Embassy-Suites-San-Marcos-Hotel-Spa-Conference-Center-Texas/directions.do)



Registration begins at 8:00 am. Speakers and Trade Show begin at 9:00 am. Pre-pay prices are $25 and $30 at the door. You may pre-pay by paypal @ treasurer@maast.org and mark (TMAC). Pre-pay ends the 18th of March.




SPEAKERS

Anthony Calfo
Eric Borneman
Marc Levenson
Peter Kordelski

Vendors

Tunze
DT's
Red Sea
Reef Nutrition
Precision Marine
Deep Sea Aquatics
Coral Reef Bazaar
Seachem

Coral Vendors

ZoaNuts
Fish2morow
Frank's Tanks
B & B Aquatics
Sapphire Aquatics
Cherry Corals
Fin Addict

Raffle will begin after Anthony Calfo's Presentation. Must be present to win.

Raffle will include:

Dual 250w Maristar
Red Sea Max
DSA Neo Nano
Vertex Skimmer
Tunze Products
2 Zeo Vit Nano Power
The Hammerhead Float
Galaxy 400 Electronic Ballast
Lumenarc III w/ Quick Disconnects
and Many more...

[princer7]

This looks like it will be a great event - definitely one not to miss!!

[Kristy]

Hey Steve,

There was a call out for people to help out during the conference. Have we figured out who will be needed and how we will work the entry fee? Either way I plan to attend and if I am not needed that is fine, but I just thought I would ask before I had Kristy prepay for me. She handles those sort of things. :)

-Mike (& Kristy)

[cbianco]

I'm ready to rock!

[MRSBIGBIRD123]

I would figure that this conference would be a bit more organized than it has shown itself to be but then again what do I know. I am sure that setting up TMAC has not been easy.

Christopher
Each BOD has been delegated to oversee each area of concern with TMAC. There is to be a final BOD Meetiing shortly to address any concerns.
We appreciate the amount who volunteered, and there is a meeting scheduled that will be pmed to each of you, who will be asked to volunteer.

Thanks and please be patient,
Cheri

[MRSBIGBIRD123]

Schedule of Events

Event 8am-6pm

8am-Registration

9AM-Trade Show Opens

9:15AM-10:15AM- Speaking Event-PETER Kordowski-Refugiums/Sandbeds

10:30-11:30-Speaking Event-Eric Borneman-The Sustainability of Reefkeeping

Lunch-12pm-1:30pm

1:30pm-2:30pm- Fragging Demonstration-Anthony Calfo and Eric Borneman

3:00pm-4:00pm- Speaking Event-Marc Levenson-Reef Photography

4:30pm-5:30pm-Speaking Event-Anthony Calfo-TBA

Raffle to be announced after Anthony Calfo's Presentation. Must be present to win.

[wesheltonj]

I understand that Cherry Corals may still come show the GHL controller and Fauna Marin Products, if the numbers are high enough

[BIGBIRD123]

Wes,
I just got confirmation today that Todd will be here with the Profilux products and some sweet corals...

S

[MRSBIGBIRD123]

Lodging........

Embassy Suites
I-35 and McCarty Lane
Directions & Transportation

From Austin, Texas:
Take I-35 South toward San Marcos, Texas. Exit at the McCarty Lane Exit (Exit 201). Take a left on McCarty Lane.
From San Antonio, Texas:
Take I-35 North toward San Marcos, Texas. Exit at the McCarty Lane Exit (Exit 201). Take a right on McCarty Lane.
From Houston: I-10 West to U.S.... View all directions, map, and airport information (http://embassysuites1.hilton.com/en_US/es/hotel/SNMESES-Embassy-Suites-San-Marcos-Hotel-Spa-Conference-Center-Texas/directions.do)
San Marcos, Texas


Embassy Suites has given us a discounted rate of $139 per night. To receive this rate, while booking room, please communicate that you are with the TMAC Marine Conference. Regular rates are $189.

Price also includes a generous Breakfast Buffet,

[JimD]

WOW! Thats great!!! Way to go Embassy!!

[subsailor]

Now for a couple of Pictures of the Venue.

The outside headed in.

http://i187.photobucket.com/albums/x82/subsailor232000/mar32009012.jpg
http://i187.photobucket.com/albums/x82/subsailor232000/mar32009013.jpg

Into the Hallway

http://i187.photobucket.com/albums/x82/subsailor232000/mar32009015.jpg
http://i187.photobucket.com/albums/x82/subsailor232000/mar32009020.jpg

Inside where the speakers and vendor expo will be (our vendor setup will be bigger and set up different)

http://i187.photobucket.com/albums/x82/subsailor232000/mar32009018.jpg
http://i187.photobucket.com/albums/x82/subsailor232000/mar32009019.jpg
http://i187.photobucket.com/albums/x82/subsailor232000/mar32009016.jpg

The rest of the Facility

http://i187.photobucket.com/albums/x82/subsailor232000/mar32009022.jpg
http://i187.photobucket.com/albums/x82/subsailor232000/mar32009023.jpg
http://i187.photobucket.com/albums/x82/subsailor232000/mar32009024.jpg
http://i187.photobucket.com/albums/x82/subsailor232000/mar32009027.jpg
http://i187.photobucket.com/albums/x82/subsailor232000/mar32009029.jpg
http://i187.photobucket.com/albums/x82/subsailor232000/mar32009030.jpg
http://i187.photobucket.com/albums/x82/subsailor232000/mar32009031.jpg
http://i187.photobucket.com/albums/x82/subsailor232000/mar32009032.jpg
http://i187.photobucket.com/albums/x82/subsailor232000/mar32009033.jpg
http://i187.photobucket.com/albums/x82/subsailor232000/mar32009034.jpg

[aggman]

that is awesome, thanks for posting these great pics.

~alex

[stoneroller]

Yeah, I can smell the coffee! I'm ready to go...

[BIGBIRD123]

SUPER RAFFLE TICKET PRICES

TICKET PRICES
SMALL ITEMS-$1
LARGE ITEMS-$5

TICKET BUNDLE PRICES
SMALL ITEMS-$1
1 TICKET FOR $1
12 TICKETS FOR $10
25 TICKETS FOR $20
LARGE ITEMS-$5
1 TICKET FOR $5
5 TICKETS FOR $20
8 TICKETS FOR $35
BULK TICKET PURCHASE
$50 TICKET VALUE/$40
$75 TICKET VALUE/$60
$100 TICKET VALUE/$75

[moe]

What the cut off for pre-registration.

[aggman]

march 18th, i think.

~alex

[Gseclipse02]

will the bar be open ?? :) jkjk

i think i should be able to make it !!!

[Sherri]

What the cut off for pre-registration.

Moe, pre-registration deadline is March 18th...

Reminder: Payments can be sent by:

PayPal at treasurer@maast.org

or

By Mail (must be RECEIVED by March 18th also):

MAAST
P.O. Box 780582
San Antonio, TX 78278

I will confirm with you upon receipt. There will be a name tag waiting at the Registration table the day of the Conference.

Reminder: Please make sure it is marked for TMAC - not Charter Membership....with first & last name

:bigsmile:

[Sherri]

Personally, I think this is going to be great...with the economy being as lousy as it is, the opportunity to have these Speakers & Sponsors come to US...for $25...wow! Most can't afford to travel too far...and it is located to be convenient for us all. Come on - let's do it!!! :bigsmile:

[moe]

Great, it sound very exciting. I can't wait, thx for the info. Oh I got my card today I feel like the biggest kid. You guy are wonderful.

moe

[secretweapons22]

This is going to be great, hope i can attend... Finally something in San Marcos...

[MRSBIGBIRD123]

Hope to see you there!

[clone]

will the bar be open ?? :) jkjk

i think i should be able to make it !!!

will the bar be open ?? :)
no really will it?

[Corwin]

will the bar be open ?? :)
no really will it?

They cleverly disguise the FREE bar by calling it "•Evening Manager’s Reception*"

Chips and salsa too. :cool:

Corwin

[BIGBIRD123]

Schedule changes to accommodate flights. See schedule on pg 1.

S

[DrMark]

Lodging........

Embassy Suites
I-35 and McCarty Lane
Directions & Transportation

From Austin, Texas:
Take I-35 South toward San Marcos, Texas. Exit at the McCarty Lane Exit (Exit 201). Take a left on McCarty Lane.
From San Antonio, Texas:
Take I-35 North toward San Marcos, Texas. Exit at the McCarty Lane Exit (Exit 201). Take a right on McCarty Lane.
From Houston: I-10 West to U.S.... View all directions, map, and airport information (http://embassysuites1.hilton.com/en_US/es/hotel/SNMESES-Embassy-Suites-San-Marcos-Hotel-Spa-Conference-Center-Texas/directions.do)
San Marcos, Texas


Embassy Suites has given us a discounted rate of $139 per night. To receive this rate, while booking room, please communicate that you are with the TMAC Marine Conference. Regular rates are $189.

Price also includes a generous Breakfast Buffet,


I called to book room and they said all the block rooms were taken......good news!!

You can do an advance purchase room online for $125-$134 depending if you want one king or two queen beds.

mark

[Sherri]

Oh wow...sounds good Mark. :applause:

[BIGBIRD123]

What happened was people got them cheaper on line so no one was using the block.

S

[DrMark]

interesting, when I called to reserve under the block, she said they were all reserved.

[BIGBIRD123]

I actually found out that they only set aside 10 rooms. so it worked better at the on-line rate. We didn't know how many were going to stay i n rooms

S

[MRSBIGBIRD123]

Bios of Speakers
http://i76.photobucket.com/albums/j20/onebrickstrait/speaker1-14.jpg
Anthony Calfo

Anthony Calfo was born in Hawaii and lives in Pennsylvania. He is a lifelong aquarist and an aquarium industry professional that has worked the better part of the last decade as a commercial coral farmer and wholesaler, producing cultured reef invertebrates in a greenhouse environment for the ornamental and zoological trade.
Anthony has authored the reef aquarium books, "Book of Coral Propagation, Volume 1" (ReadingTrees.com) & “Reef Invertebrates”, and numerous articles for print and electronic journals at large. He travels frequently to visit organizations and clubs to present information on the aquatic sciences. Anthony co-founded the Pittsburgh Marine Aquarist Society with the inimitable Bob Dolan. Schooled at Carnegie-Mellon University and the University of Pittsburgh, he has degree in English Literature.

http://i76.photobucket.com/albums/j20/onebrickstrait/speaker1-13.jpg
Eric Borneman

Eric Borneman is a Ph.D. candidate supported by an NSF fellowship in the Department of Biology and Biochemistry at the University of Houston. Eric’s primary research area is in the field of apoptosis and stress-related factors in coral disease. Eric received the "Aquarist of the Year" award by the Marine Aquarium Societies of North America in 2002 for contributions to the field of coral husbandry, and has written two books on the subject, including the acclaimed book, Aquarium Corals. Eric is also involved in aquarium trade sustainability issues, sexual and asexual coral culture for research, diseases and reproduction in captive corals, and is currently conducting coral disease research at the Texas Flower Garden Banks. He hosts The Coral Forum, an advanced coral husbandry forum on Reef Central and is a science editor of ReefKeeping magazine. Eric has contributed hundreds of articles to both the scientific and the international reefkeeping communities and has lectured worldwide on the subject of coral husbandry. He has been diving and photographing coral reefs around the world since 1978.

[Sherri]

Please Note: Raffle money will be collected at the Conference. Please do not prepay for raffles. Thank you!! :)

Sherri

[MRSBIGBIRD123]

TMAC pre-registration price of $25 ends in 2 Days.

[BIGBIRD123]

Pre Registration ends today!

[Sherri]

TICK TOCK...TICK TOCK... 2 hours till prepayment ends...................:wave:

Will be $30 at the door after midnight tonight....

[MRSBIGBIRD123]

Vendors are beginning to arrive!

[Zoanuts]

Vendors are beginning to arrive!

We are on the way and with a ton of stuff!!:hypnotyized:

[brewercm]

This is going to be fun. I forgot about prepaying and realized when I looked at my watch last night on my way home from work.
Really looking forward to this and worth the extra $5.

[aggman]

We are on the way and with a ton of stuff!!:hypnotyized:

oooh...i hope there is an atm machine on site...i'll be broke for the next year but i don't care...:bigsmile:

~alex

[Mr Cob]

I'll be checking the photo forum for lots of pics!!!!!!!!!! Have fun everyone!

[Gilbertg78228]

looking forward to this event it will be my first!

[Obi-Wan the Goby]

^ Me too...can't wait for this.

Is the schedule on Page One now confirmed/finalized?

[stoneroller]

Just back from Opening Night! That is, set up with ALL the vendors. The hotel is cool and the corals are friggin' hot!! Lots and lots of crazy zoas, scorchin' acans and amazin' chalice (T Watermelon, BGM, etc.), clams. What a night it's been. See ya'll bright and early!

[cpreefguy]

See ya'll bright and early!

Dont remind me... :cry_smile: oh wait, Jennifer's pictures just perked me up :bigsmile:

[princer7]

I made it home, posted some pictures and then found out that I had the final 2hr episode of Battlestar Galactica :bigsmile:



.... and watched it.

[cbianco]

TMAC was fun!!!

Great corals and great presentations. Thanks to everyone who worked to put this together.

Christopher

[kkiel02]

Well thanks for everyone putting this on. It was great and I get to build a tank for my parents now! Thanks for helping me convince them.

Kevin

[phrog]

Great show! Looking forward to more vendors and speakers next year.

[Sherri]

Thanks to all that attended. It was a great day. Lots of members. Lots of corals. Lots of Speakers. Lots of Vendors, Sponsors & Donors. All makes for an awesome day. The corals I did get are beauties. Worth making it an annual event for sure.

[moe]

Thank you Maast. Thank's to all who put this together, I a great time. The speaker and the presentation were aweson. and the selection of venders were great. I had an amazing time. Once again thank you guys.

[Corwin]

Thanks for all the hard work organizing and putting on this wonderful event. Great speakers, lots of vendors and fun.

It was nice to meet you Steve, Cheri, and Sherri.

Corwin

[cpreefguy]

Thanks for coming down Corwin, sorry you didn't win that skimmer!

[Corwin]

That's OK I am pretty sure that PA has one shipping out to me next week when they get their shipment.:bigsmile:

[cpreefguy]

Nice! Be sure to post some pictures of that beast! :D

[subsailor]

TMAC In the news

http://www.sanmarcosrecord.com/local/local_story_083113542.html

[phrog]

TMAC In the news

http://www.sanmarcosrecord.com/local/local_story_083113542.html

Of all the people and awesome corals, she posts a picture of me from the back of the cube?!?

[mama]

ok Danny...first you score with the raffle, then you get your photo in the news...taking ADD with you...you win :-p

[aggman]

hey that's my tank...lol. and i know she got me in a couple shots. i was right there. where's my spotlight? huh? :cry_smile:

geez. well, she must be keeping mine all to herself...:wink_smile:

~alex

[aggman]

hey wait a minute...where's the story. was it just the two pics?

~alex