NEC Convention March 20-22, 2009

[Sploke]

I finally got the dates for the 2009 show. We've been the past two years, it has been decent. They don't have any of the speakers chosen yet, but I just wanted to get this started to see how much interest there might be, and I'll update as information becomes available. I've already talked to a few people about it, we are opening up our house to anyone who wants to come and needs a place to stay, it would be fun if we could get a good representation from AC.

NEC Website - www.northeastcouncil.org

Here is the august newsletter also that talks alittle about the 2009 convention. http://northeastcouncil.org/NECnewsletteraugust2008.pdf

[dirtydawg10]

Awesome! I'll be there again this year.

[Eupterus]

I am planning to go as per my last thread on the same topic. So unless something earth shattering happens or I end up on an internship, I'll be there.
I'll try and remember to post what I'll be wearing...Who knows?.. maybe I'll show up with some baby bettas to swap.

[Sploke]

Update - here's the November newsletter, looks like there's going to be a good emphasis on aquatic gardening and a large plant-only auction - might be a good chance to pick up some harder to find stuff.

http://northeastcouncil.org/newsletternov08.pdf

[item2302]

sploke,

I've never been to one of these things, but I plan on attending this one. You have a daughter similar to the age of my daughter. Do you plan to bring your family with you when you attend? Just curious if it would be a good idea to bring kids.

[Sploke]

Yeah, its fine for kids if you can keep track of them and keep them from getting too bored. We had Gwen with us last year, she was only about 6 months old so we just pushed her around in the stroller and she was pretty oblivious to the whole thing. I'm not sure about this year, as if I want to sit through the auction, it takes a lot more to keep her occupied now. My wife wants to go, but she might end up staying at home with the kiddo, not sure whats going to happen yet.

[msjinkzd]

Most of these conferences are kid friendly, just pack things for them to do :)

[item2302]

I guess I'm a bit lucky because my little girl likes to look at our tanks all the time. I could probably sit her in front of a tank, and she would keep still and stare. But I would have to keep an eye out, because given the chance, she would stick her hand in the water.

Seeing all the fish would excite her.

[avatar]

It seems pretty kid friendly, however our (sploke's and my) little girl is in that extremely willful and busy phase. I would like to go but who knows.

[Sploke]

Update - the NEC has finally redone their website and created a page for the convention updates. We should start seeing more info in January after the holidays.

http://northeastcouncil.org/convention/

[The Zigman]

Sci Fi theme?
Does that mean I have to dress up ad Mr Spock, or Godzilla to attend?

I do look pretty good in my Wonder Woman outfit, does that count?!?

[Sploke]

you don't have to, but I think I speak for everyone when I say that it is strongly encouraged ;)


Except maybe the wonder woman thing.

Aquaman would be fitting though.

[mel_20_20]

So... if 200 of us are coming... you can put us all up at your place? :eek: Your place must be big as the Biltmore.:eek:

[Sploke]

They've posted some more details about the event, the schedule, registration, etc....check it out.

http://northeastcouncil.org/convention/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=2&Itemid=2

[fishorama]

Is anyone going? I live 1 1/2 hours away so I may just do 1 of the auctions, too close to stay but too far for the whole thing.

[Sploke]

Avatar and I are going, and msjinkzd is staying at our place and going as well. I think there are a few others coming at least just for Sunday.

[dirtydawg10]

I'll be there on Sunday.

[TwoTankAmin]

So where and what time are we all going to meet on Sunday?

[jenpen737]

I will be there on saturday. Who else will be there on saturday?

[excuzzzeme]

So... if 200 of us are coming... you can put us all up at your place? :eek: Your place must be big as the Biltmore.:eek:

Not to be a spoiler, but Matt is going to house everyone with the horses out in the barn. And the "outhouse" is just a toilet lid over two fallen trees! LOL!!!:D

[jenpen737]

is there a specific time and place to meet saturday as i think it will be great to meet all of you.

[Sploke]

MsJ and I will be there on Saturday. What time will you be arriving? There is a sitting area in the lobby of the hotel thats a pretty convenient place to meet up.

On sunday....what time does the auction start, and what time does teh lot-viewing start? I'm going to want to go through all that, maybe beforehand, and then we can meet up again during/after the auction?

[Sploke]

Ok lot viewing is from 9:30-10:45, and the auction starts at 11 on Sunday. Maybe meet up at 9 in the lobby?

[dirtydawg10]

I'll be there sometime between 9:30am and 10:00am and will be checking out the lots. Maybe we could meet at the lobby between 10:30 and 11:00? Either way...I know who some of you are from last year. So I'm sure I'll see you there.

[jenpen737]

matt i will be there at about 11 on sat. We are bringing the children to relatives and leaving maine as close to 6am as possible. Rach has my #s so that she can get hold of me. I hope to see you there. We have to leave about noon on sunday.

[TwoTankAmin]

Well I will not be there by 9 on Sunday, I am too old and slow for that. It would be great to meet in that same lobby spot as last year between 10:45 and the auction start at 11?

If anybody going has an interest in bristlenose plecos or montezuma swords as well as used 10 and 15 gal tanks with glass tops, I can bring em with me. I also have a couple of used AquaClear 20s. They have cycled media in them :-)

[Sploke]

That sounds fine to me.

TTA were you bringing any tanks to get rid of, or were you looking for local pickup?

[TwoTankAmin]

I can bring anything/everything mentioned- tanks filters and fish. It is amazing, I discovered this big emtpy space behing me in the car and another one at the back end under some sort of door. I can put a lot of stuff in there :p

[msjinkzd]

:lol:

[TwoTankAmin]

The 15 gal. tanks are spoken for as is a 29- still have ythe tube stand for it or 20L, the10s and ACs and fish of course.

[fishorama]

:swear: I have to take my husband to the airport Sun afternoon, an hour in the opposite direction. Full Q tank...maybe next time

[Eupterus]

Hi...I'm at NEC right now. I think I saw someone from here going by the picture they posted next to their name. BTW, any of you who are attending...IF you saw someone wearing a white and black sweater with two reindeers on it, that was me. I'll be there again tomorrow for the auction.

[dirtydawg10]

It was nice to meet everyone today. Had a good time but unfortunately all the lots I was interested in went for more then they were worth IMO. I did get some stuff from Ken's and got some good info on a couple of local clubs I will be looking into.

[msjinkzd]

I had a blast!

[Sploke]

yep...and probably spent too much lol

[msjinkzd]

Thanks again to Matt and Liz for putting me up. I had an awesome time with you guys and gwen was a real trooper!

[Eupterus]

I had limited interests in auction items and ended up leaving an hour in without buying/winning anything...
I counted about five items I wanted to bid on and I decided I didn't want to sit through 5 more hours not knowing when they'd come up. Only thing I really regret is I didn't get some driftwood...I went to buy some stuff right before I left and the driftwood table had already been cleared.
I ended up buying one of those foam fry filters , a pre-filter, a ceramic cave, some veggie pellets and some frozen bloodworms.

I did visit an interesting museum on the way back. We ended up being there longer then expected. Was a nice overall outting.

[gomezladdams]

I was there sat and sunday.Spent alot of money mostly on dry goods,Im overstocked on fish now so I was trying to be restrained lol sold over 100fish and bought 14 not too bad.Saw msjinkzd and said hi while picking up my kensfish order.
This is not a good auction for bargain hunting but alot of high quality and unusual fish.
Anybody see that polleni in the innes show?:jaw-dropping:

Simply the most stunning fish Ive ever seen in a freshwater tank.

[Sploke]

Yeah that polleni was a hot piece of fish...would go great with the fatty female I have :D
There didn't seem to be too much special in the auction, I ended up bumping two lots to the front at about 3:30 just so I could bid on them and go home. Lost out on one, got the other one, a nice 6-pack of marbled angel juvies for 25 bucks. Also picked up a dozen khulis and 10 C. habrosus from Frank, and about 5lbs of frozen food from Ken. Oh yeah and two tanks and some LF BN from TTA. Successful weekend.

[avatar]

It was a blast to have Rach here, next time bring the kids and spend more time in the barn will ya... I missed Sat because of work but Sunday was a blast and Gwen was such a trouper, she was so tired that she passed out by the time we were pulling out of the parking space.

And my new pygmy cories are adorable, i love them.

[avatar]

Some pics from NEC. Somehow Gwen managed to get in almost every pic....

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[dirtydawg10]

Nice pics! Gwen did great...she was very patient with the two of you...;)




Anybody see that polleni in the innes show?:jaw-dropping:

Simply the most stunning fish Ive ever seen in a freshwater tank.

I agree...that fish was amazing. :drool:

[Sploke]

Yes, I'm amazed she lasted as long as she did without a complete meltdown...although for next year I think we'll try to get a sitter.