[Killietalk] Convention Report

["Charlie" <epiplaty at tampabay_rr.com>]

Convention Report - May, 2006

 

The long months of work are about to pay off. By the time you get your May BNL, there will be just a few weeks to go before the Memorial Day convention. Your host club is ready for a wonderful weekend with friends and family. That's right; this is a family affair that includes old friends, new friends and friends to be. The table is set for anyone with an interest in killifish and the fish hobby in general. We guarantee glorious sun and an even more glorious collection of killifish, for viewing, for sale and for auction. You will see one of the strongest set of workshops in recent memory, numerous raffles of rare killies, plant and live food sales and goodies galore, all in a wonderful bright and open setting. Friday night live entertainment, a first ever People's Choice event and collecting local killies and other interesting native fishes will add an extra dimension to the convention, and make it a memorable event for all.

 

If you haven't registered yet, you still have time to do so. Online registrations will be taken until Wednesday evening, May 24th, and walk-in entries between Friday, May 26th at 3:00 PM through Saturday morning, May 27th. at 8:00 AM. So if you decide the last minute to join us, someone will be there to greet you. 

 

Several of our guests plan extended stays to take advantage of the extraordinary number of other things to do and see in the Tampa area. For the shoppers, there is a large shopping mall across the street from the hotel, and within a few miles the famous International Mall, the Channelside shopping plaza next to the aquarium, and the exotic Ybor City. For general entertainment, there is Busch Gardens, Lowry Park Zoo, the Museum of Science and Industry and the noteworthy mermaids of Weeki Wachee Springs. Of course everyone is familiar with the vast Orlando entertainment complex which is about an hour and twenty minutes away.

 

For those that enjoy things botanical, we have the Sunken Gardens in St. Petersburg, the Bok Tower Gardens, Cypress Gardens, the botanical garden at the University of South Florida, and the world class Selby Gardens in Sarasota. All are within a reasonable driving distance. A tour can be arranged at Sunken Gardens if enough people show an interest in visiting that site. If you plan to visit the area we will be happy to provide details about the attractions, contact information and the like.

 

The May issue of Tropical Fish Hobbyist is out and it does a spectacular job of promoting the convention. Thanks go out to our convention sponsor, and the fine people at TFH who put this presentation together. If you haven't seen this issue, you are missing a treat. Look for an additional ad in the June, 2006, and be sure to stop by the TFH display table in the convention lobby. See the TFH site at www.tfh.com for subscription details.

 

If you've not done so already, take a look at our convention website. It is not only a visual treat, but it contains the latest updated information about the convention as well as  a great deal of information that has not been covered in these short reports. http://aka.org/convention/ or navigate from the A.K.A. website opening page. 

 

 

When registering, please read the registrations options carefully. The registration fee is reduced by $5 for each banquet or brunch purchased, up to a maximum of 3. Determine the total number of banquets and brunches you are buying and check the registration option that fits. The options are single registrations with 0, 1 or 2 meals, and family registrations with 9, 1, 2, or 3+ meals. 

 

When registering at the hotel, be sure to state that you are attending the A.K.A. convention. You should get a rate of $85 plus tax and fees. Normally, these rooms are $195, so be sure you get the appropriate rate commitment.

 

We have planned an unforgettable event - Come see your friends in Tampa. We're waiting for you.

 

Co-Chairmen: Charlie Nunziata. epiplaty at tampabay_rr.com, Dr. Harry Specht aus62 at comcast_net
Join the AKA at http://www.aka.org/aka/modules/content/index.php?id=9.
Archives are at http://fins.actwin.com/killietalk/
Modify your subscription at http://www.actwin.com/mailman/listinfo.cgi/killietalk