18 replies to this topic

[Drew]

Just wanted to say thanks for putting together the meeting and planning the trips. I had fun meeting everyone and getting in the water with some good guys.

[daveneely]

Just wanted to say thanks for putting together the meeting and planning the trips. I had fun meeting everyone and getting in the water with some good guys.

...so c'mon, let's have some news on how the big shindig went!

[fritz]

...so c'mon, let's have some news on how the big shindig went!

I'll let others comment but I think it went well. A big thank you to all of our speakers, Ryan Heise, Brian Zimmerman, Steve Fraley, Bob Bock, Steve Midway, and Bob Goldstein. And especially to Todd Crail for a very interesting after dinner talk. And another big THANK YOU to our trip leaders - Drew, Uland, Todd, and Dustin. It's great to see such a diverse bunch of fish geeks get together and have a great time.

Dave, you missed out on a great time.

Fritz and Gerald

[Drew]

...so c'mon, let's have some news on how the big shindig went!

From my point of view everything went as well as it could. We had some nice display tanks and good speeches.

I'm working with Uland on our trip reports. We will post our trips with pics as soon as possible.

[Irate Mormon]

...so c'mon, let's have some news on how the big shindig went!

Dave, you'll be glad to know that your art raised significant monies at the auction. I bought two of your pieces, Chris bought one, and Phil Nixon bought your "doodles". I forget who else. Anyway, thanks, and my Dave Neely Wall of Magnificence is growing larger every year! Chris commented that I must have a large collection of fish art. I hadn't really thought about it, but looking around my house, he's right. Well, since I can't have a lot of aquariums, I have a lot of pictures and stuff!

Karen made some whimsical fish figurines that were a big hit as well. I walked away with one of them - wish it could have been more, but the bidding went over my limit. Kenny McKeighen contributed some very well done watercolors too. I wish I could have bought one or two of them.

[Uland]

Indeed a big round of thanks to Gerald and Fritz. I can't think of a single thing that went wrong. The accommodations were nice and the staff were very friendly. All of the talks went as scheduled as well as interesting and informative. The convention was well organized and seamless. On top off all that, I saw tons of new fish and took over 500 photos (400 shots of fish).

Thanks again for a great time guys.

[Irate Mormon]

Yeah, I know how exhausting these things are, especially when you don't get back from a field trip until 11pm, and have to lead another one at 7:30 the next morning! Hell, I was exhausted and all I had to do was show up and enjoy the ride!

[bflowers]

Yeah, I know how exhausting these things are, especially when you don't get back from a field trip until 11pm, and have to lead another one at 7:30 the next morning! Hell, I was exhausted and all I had to do was show up and enjoy the ride!

Thanks to Fritz and Gerald for a great time. The chance to see Redlip Shiners, Mountain Redbelly Dace, and Rosyside Dace spawning over a chub nest was worth the trip. It was great to see some old friends again and hopefully make some new ones.

Thanks again,
Bill and Shawn Flowers

[Bob]

Hi all. I just want to add to what Bill said: thanks very much Gerald and Fritz, for all your hard work. Putting together a convention is not an easy job, and this one was a great success. I had a great time, and can't wait until I can attend another one.

Thanks again,

Bob

[rnbwdarter]

Yes, I had a wonderful time! I wish I could have stayed for the 2nd day of field trips, but I had a little "lizard emergency" that I had to go home to deal with. (Isabelle should be OK) I really enjoyed the presentations, especially Bob Bock's about keeping sunfish. Does anyone have the link to the picture of the huge goldfish? I'd like to send it to a friend. Mike may or may not come to another meeting, I think there was just a bit too much fishyness for him. I got home with all of my fish safely, I've only lost a couple so far and the most of the others look like they are doing great. My siren gave me quite a scare though, I thought he had escaped. I couldn't find him and mike left the lid up so I tore the tank and filter apart, I knew they could live for several hours outside the tank so I tore the room apart looking for him too with no luck. Just today he comes swimming out from wherever he was like nothing was wrong. I still can't figure out where the thing was.

[kalawatseti]

I'd like to add my thanks and appreciation to Fritz and Gerald and Dennis -- and to all the speakers, trip leaders and other volunteers -- who made the 2007 NANFA Convention possible. It was not a relaxing weekend, but it sure as heck was fun. (As I tell my wife, "I don't come to these conventions to sleep!")

My apologies to anyone who may have been inconvenienced by the presence of a 4-year-old. Stephanie and I appreciate your patience -- especially during the unscheduled stop when William's "boys were knocking," and when we had to stand around and wait for Stephanie and William to return from their bathroom quest when William's boys started knocking later that day.

I gotta tell you, though, I've never been a prouder Dad than during the last stop on Saturday's trip to the mountains, when William raced through the stream and insisted on helping David Smith and Charles Ray kick seine a riffle.

Chris Scharpf
Baltimore

[EdBihary]

Agreed. Thanks to all involved. It was a lot of fun, educational, and I met some great people. And my soon-to-be 9-year-old daughter Holly had a great time all weekend. And on Sunday, my 11-year-old daughter Kristen came out of the motel to join us also. Many people were good to them, and I am thankful.

[harryknaub]

There's not much to add except THANKS Fritz, Gerald, & Dennis. I had a great time.

Harry Knaub

[farmertodd]

I would also like to chime in and thank Fritz, Gerald and Dennis for all their work on the Convention.

I'd also like to appologize for not seizing the moment to thank them in front of everyone during the wrap up of the banquet. That was a big oversight on my part. You guys asked me too many questions

I'll have reports from my trips here later this week. We were on the Clinch on the way home and I'm just getting caught up.

Todd

[keepnatives]

Thanks for all the effort you guys put in to making this a great conference as usual. The hotel service was fantastic, the speakers excellent and collecting trips great. And its always great to get together with all you other fish nuts. What a beautiful state. Oh and I'm really enjoying my Kobey "Mad Tom" from the auction, hope there's more crazy fish creations in Texas.

Then to double the fun got to collect and snorkle the Clinch in TN on the way home with Todd, Phil, Phil and Charlie.

[gerald]

Yaaaawn ... i'm starting to wake up now. was it real or all just a wonderful dream ???
thanks for all the glowing praise, i had as much fun as anyone, despite the exhausting pace.
Lets hear more details about what made this conference stand out for you, and also please be honest about anything that could be done better -- it may help the TX organizers. yes, site map copies for all would have been nice.

thanks to all who pitched in, throughout the planning process and on-site (filling/emptying tanks, rinsing worms, misc errands ...) it was great meeting many new friends. my only regret is there were too many folks i didnt get to chat with.

Gerald

[Irate Mormon]

Just an idea for next year - have one guy solicit auction items. A LOT of auction items. You can try all the major hobby suppliers - they will almost always donate something. I know Marineland usually donates one of their "eclipse" systems, while other manufacturers donate small items. Book publishers are usually gold - you should hit up TFH, Tetra press, Blackwell science, any university presses that you know of (as in state fish books), etc., etc. - it helps if you have specific titles in mind. Any kind of fish art brings a premium - Look at the list of donors from years past and ask them can they contribute next year. Also search the internet for fishy stuff and hit up the artist - he may be glad for the extra bit of exposure.

Don't overlook companies like MNT, etc. - anybody who sells collecting gear. If there is a Bass Pro Shop in your area you may get some goodies from them (bait buckets, etc?) Some fish stores will donate obsolete inventory - this stuff never brings much money, but hey - it doesn't cost NANFA anything, so why not?

Some of the fish magazines have donated subscriptions in years past.

Here's a new one: Maybe ASIH or AFS would donate a year's membership? Just an idea.

Solicit companies which sell camping/backpacking supplies too - a LOT of our members bid on stuff like that.

It may help if you tell the donors that you'll list them as NANFA supporters on the website, and provide links to their pages. Don't promise them this unless you intend to do it, and then follow up with the company rep and tell them where to find the listing and links (makes it easier on the guy next year who comes knocking for donations).

Be sure to keep a list of contributors and pass it onto the convention committee the following year.

I liked the way you had the trips organized, and the species lists were very helpful in selecting which trips to go on. I also liked having live tanks in the convention room - often this is not feasible for one reason or another, but it's a real bonus when you can do it.

All in all, everything was well planned and executed.

[Drew]

Uland and I hit up a few companies. That's how we got the MN&T gift certificate, Cummings dipnets, Douglas seines, Hypark Minnow-mizers. That is the reason why their catalogs were on the handout table. We got turned down by a few, unnamed companies, but we tried anyway. The online aquarium stores probably won't donate anything considering they probably have a lower profit margin. I can pass these contacts on to whomever for next year's convention.

[Irate Mormon]

Uland and I hit up a few companies. That's how we got the MN&T gift certificate, Cummings dipnets, Douglas seines, Hypark Minnow-mizers. That is the reason why their catalogs were on the handout table. We got turned down by a few, unnamed companies, but we tried anyway. The online aquarium stores probably won't donate anything considering they probably have a lower profit margin. I can pass these contacts on to whomever for next year's convention.

We definitely need to thank these guys with a follow-up call or letter, that way they're more likely to donate next year. They should be featured on the NANFA website too.