Getting the most out of MACNA

[Jocko]

So MACNA is coming up surprisingly fast. Do the experienced BRS members have any advice for those who have never gone to a MACNA before (like me)? Is there anything we should do to make sure we get the most out of our trip? Is the trade show a good place to buy equipment? Tips or tricks for buying and transporting livestock? Etc?

Thanks!

 

[fanaglethebagle]

I'm tagging along

 

[Greg Hiller]

Are you driving or flying?

 

[fanaglethebagle]

I am Flying

 

[JayM]

I am Flying

One of the best ways to get the most out of MACNA is to have a cool parent who will fly you down on a school day, bring you there, put up with fish geek trade show stuff, then take you to a Steelers game!

Right Andrew?

<just envious, btw>

 

[fanaglethebagle]

Its a vacation day actually, and she started it by giving me my tank as a birthday present

 

[susyq458]

Its a vacation day actually, and she started it by giving me my tank as a birthday present

Yeah, we mothers do the silliest things to make our families happy

 

[PenMan]

Flying limits purchases. There was large selections of corals and clams at Macna 16 for sale. Most of the display tanks were raffled off, along with the fish and livegoods in them. Most of the hard goods vendors do not want to have to pack up the displays and ship them home. If you ask, you can often purchase items during the show for pickup the last day. Cash is often best for this. Many vendors are not set up for credit card sales, but some will be.

Take shoes that you will be able to stand and walk in. I worked the Boston Macna and averaged 14 hours a day for 4 days on my feet.

 

[AbbeyRoad]

Fly is hard, because all raffle items you consider entering need to be either check baggage or carry on size. And if the water/liquid rule is the same as when i flew recently, then you will not be able to carry on frags, fish etc. Even sealed water bottles were not allowed on.

Usually people enter the raffle not expecting to win the HUGE tank, then have to part out while they break down for the move. So thats usually when good deals are found. Sign up for free stuff, ask for free stuff...be all about the free stuff and you wont have room in your bag. The vendors are my fav. part honestly.

 

[fishmom]

Ahem....he is flying down on Thursday and we are flying back on Monday - so that he will not miss any of the MACNA "events" - he will miss two days of school instead of three because of a holiday. I am looking at the trip as a pre-college thing as he is supposed to be majoring in Marine Biology. He better learn a lot!

Plus I looked up the zoo and they have polar bears - one of my favorites! We will be going here....

As for the diff between flying and driving - that's what they make UPS and FEDEX for. I'm not going to fret about it - I would rather save my driving time for fun in Monroeville - and possibly the Steelers game. I'm still working on that....

 

[JCheung]

Ahem....he is flying down on Thursday and we are flying back on Monday - so that he will not miss any of the MACNA "events" - he will miss two days of school instead of three because of a holiday. I am looking at the trip as a pre-college thing as he is supposed to be majoring in Marine Biology. He better learn a lot!

Don't worry he'll learn more at the show than he will at school, the first couple of days are usually just sign your name here, receive your books, blah blah blah.... stuff that can usually be accomplished in 2 minutes in the following days.

 

[Jocko]

I'm undecided about flying or driving. It would be nice to have the car there to pack stuff in. But 10 hours each way... I dunno.

One thing I'm really interested is if the vendor's tend to sell things at really good prices there. I have a lot of equipment to buy for an in-wall 150 setup that I have been too busy to start yet. Should I hold off on buying certain things so that I can get deals at the show?

 

[sbertomen]

I am driving - and should have spare room if anyone is flying and needs some cooler space on the way back( as far as Fitchburg via Albany). I am just saving enough room for the Solaris lights I am planning on winning. I will plan on bringing a large cooler to use for BRS transport, I am NOT planning on bringing back much livestock (just the lights thanks). So there should be room if anyone needs it. If anyone has driven corals long distances I sure would appreciate some tips.

 

[Greg Hiller]

>If anyone has driven corals long distances I sure would appreciate some tips.<

Best if they are floating on styrofoam cubes. But care should be taken that they do not bang into one another, or the sides of the container(s).

 

[sbertomen]

Thanks Greg - OK my cooler will be filled with extra zip locks, cubes of styrofoam and rubber bands on the way out.

 

[Steven Pro]

I just wanted to let you all know that the Radisson is full. The overflow hotels are the Holiday Inn (412-372-1022 ext. 656) and the Hampton Inn (412-380-4000). Just tell them you are coming for MACNA.

 

[Salty Dog]

I have a room booked at the Radisson and have decided not to go - if someone wants the room, send me a PM...

Eric