MACNA: A gathering of the tribe...

Users Who Are Viewing This Thread (Total: 1, Members: 0, Guests: 1)

uniquecorals

UniqueCorals
View Badges
Joined
Nov 23, 2006
Messages
12,651
Reaction score
10,446
Location
Los Angeles
Rating - 0%
0   0   0
So it's another year- and another MACNA. This time, we're in Denver, for the next three days, the reef keeping capital of the world.


copy-MACNA_2014_logo-300x159.jpg


For many reefers, MACNA is almost like a ritual...Like the swallows returning to Capistrano, the Salmon returning to the streams in which they were born, the migration of the Humpback Whales...you get the picture. It's a time to re-acquaint ourselves with the group of people that have become extended family over the years. People that we share our triumphs, tragedies, and experiences with. When reefers get together- just like any social group- you'll see the amazing commonalities that bring together people of diverse backgrounds....and the "culture" that we've created in the reef keeping community.

It's a big deal for us reefing geeks. Our version of the Super Bowl, the Olympics, or the Academy Awards. It changes your perspective on the hobby...and on people

In scanning a MACNA show floor or an evening get-together at the bar, you tend to forget superficial differences between people, and realize that the hobby becomes a common thread that unites us. for those of us blessed to work in the aquatics industry, it's even more interesting, for a multitude of reasons. For example, you'd think that coral vendors are brutally competitive, filled with disdain for each other, and on a hair trigger, ready to rip off each other's heads at a moment's notice. The reality is, most of us are very good friends, and any commercial rivalries that we might have are virtually invisible- replaced by the mutual respect and genuine friendships that we all formed over the years. Rather than having disdain for each other, what you'll see on the show floor is vendors sharing tools, equipment, and ideas...Co-miserating when necessary, complimenting when deserved, and...enjoying being around each other. We are reefers, at the core of it all.

As a hobbyist who has the double blessing of being both a vendor and a speaker who has traveled around the world talking "reef", MACNA is a time to re-connect with people who have literally become a global "extended family", relationships forged at airports, hotels, and conference centers around the globe, stoked by social media and kindled by our common love of the ocean and its precious inhabitants. It's an unfortunate reality, by virtue of the fact that we all lead busy lives, and have other obligations, that it's not always easy to stay in touch during the year. However, at a MACNA, we're able to pick up those conversations, savor the jokes, share the gossip, and renew conversations- that may have been started last year- without skipping a beat. Funny thing when you have a common "culture."


MACNA is a time when we get to see the latest gadgets, explore the latest trends, and share information that is both trivial and monumental. We are fortunate to have a gathering of many of the greatest minds in our hobby all under one roof. For three glorious days, the reefing world has a home. And the beauty of a MACNA- wait, check that- the beauty of our hobby- is that the "legends" and "celebrities" of our culture are as approachable as anyone. This means that you can causally run a question by a legend like Julian Sprung or Martin Moe, just as easily as if you were talking to a buddy. You can easily get face time with the most enthusiastic reefers in the world, like Tony Vargas, John Coppolino, or Jake Adams. You can meet the people who design your equipment, sell you the stuff you use, and who farm and collect your corals.

For those of you who are here in Denver- savor every second, treasure every conversation, absorb every bit of information, and share every experience. Don't lose sight that, beyond the coral that you scored here, or the calcium reactor you bought for 30% off, there is a far, far greater thing that you will gain from attending: Passion. More passion for the hobby than you probably ever knew existed. It's palpable here. It oozes from every corner. You have to be careful not to trip on it as you walk the aisles or enter a speaking room.

Do yourself- and the hobby-a huge favor if you're attending MACNA: Share. Share the experiences and information that you absorbed here. Share the spirit of innovation, friendship, and human interaction that you'll drink up in abundance. And most important, spread the passion. That's what a MACNA is all about- people getting together to share and celebrate their passion.

I hope I have the opportunity to meet many of you here. Stop by the Unique Corals booth and say a quick hi. And for those of you that couldn't attend, let's try next year, okay?

Stay passionate. Stay enthusiastic. And most of all...

Stay Wet.


Scott Fellman
Unique Corals

 

exonn

Community Member
View Badges
Joined
Nov 8, 2013
Messages
53
Reaction score
24
Location
Lithuania
Rating - 0%
0   0   0
am so jealous that this event happens in another part of the world :(
 
Back
Top