We are proud to announce that the 2008 AGA Aquatic Gardeners Convention will be held the weekend of November 14-16, 2008, at the Atlanta Sheraton Hotel, within walking distance of the Georgia Aquarium.
We have a great speaker line-up. Complete information about the speakers, including bios and topics, can be found here. Briefly, Takashi Amano is making his third appearance at an AGA convention, including both a lecture and aquascaping demo. Professor Benito Tan will be speaking on aquatic mosses. Professor Michael Kane of the University of Florida will be discussing Tissue Culture for the aquarist. Jeff Senske will speak on space/design and the aquarium, which will interest even the non-aquarist. Greg Morin, CEO of Seachem, returns for the first time since 2001. Finally, Karen Randall will have a banquet presentation on her recent collecting trip to Thailand.
Come see the Whale Sharks!!! On Friday morning, the AGA is offering a Field Trip to the world-renowned Georgia Aquarium. The AGA has a discounted group rate of $23.50 and timed express entry (no waiting in the huge general admission lines!). The aquarium at 6 blocks away is within walking distance or a short cab ride. We will be meeting in the hotel lobby on Friday at 9:00 AM prior to the trip.
Friday night will include the return of The Iron Aquascaper, sponsored by Aquarium Design Group. Watch two masters go at it in a head-to-head spontaneous competition using only the aquaria and plants given to them.
Saturday night will feature our banquet and 2008 AGA International Aquascaping Contest awards.
Between talks, chat with fellow hobbyists and speakers. After the evenings' events, kick back and enjoy a snack or beverage in the Hospitality Suite.
Sunday, spend your hard-earned cash on the largest all-aquatic-plant auction in the country. Find some new species, or load up on something you haven't seen in a while. [info for bidders] [info for sellers] One of the side benefits to bringing plants for the auction is the AGA's very generous split policy -- 70/30. If you sell $85 worth of plants at the auction, you've made back your registration cost... if you can resist the temptation to buy something else. :) You do not have to register for the convention to bid!
More information about the speakers and events can be found on the forum. Here's a list of other Atlanta Attractions.
Hotel info: The room registration page (separate reservation through Sheraton, not part of convention registration!) contains details on the hotel location and nearby attractions. DEADLINE October 29th to guarantee the AGA room rate!
Volunteers! We need volunteers! Local clubs, please help us promote the AGA convention at your next meeting with this flyer! Webmasters feel free to copy the banner & link at the top of this page to your web site.
Convention is open to AGA Members ONLY, so add
a membership to your cart if you are not already an AGA member! Only
one membership per household required.
Registration+Banquet $99 
Guest Banquet $40
Field Trip to Georgia Aquarium $23.50
Hotel: $109 per night, please register through the hotel link. Cutoff date to receive the convention rate is October 29th.
Note from Cheryl 10/21/2008: The hotel's reservation system only seems to work some of the time. Until we figure out exactly which magical incantations you have to mumble while reserving your room, you'll have to take your chances. Give it a shot, who knows?
Meanwhile, if you have or have had any trouble reserving your room for the days that you want for the price that we've quoted, e-mail membership @ aquatic-gardeners.org for help.
Convention Schedule
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