The 2010 Convention Organizing Committee
is pleased to
announce an exciting slate of speakers for this year's show.
(Additional speakers will be announced
shortly)
HOLGER
HENGSTLER
Although Holger
appeared at the 2009 convention in Portland, the 2010 COC decided his
presentation style, information and overall well-designed programs
were something most Midwestern and Eastern AKA
Members have not had an opportunity to hear. This made Holger an
exciting addition as this year's Saturday Banquet Speaker.
Holger is a
bit insane in his desires to collect Nothos and has made several trips
to less than safe locations in Africa. A dedicated Notho
enthusiast, Holger has been in Mozambique, the Congo and just returned
from Ethiopia which is his planned banquet presentation for this year's convention.
Holger will be joined at the convention this year with his lovely
girlfriend Julia.
ANDRE
SCHONEVILLE
Andre is a
long time AKA member and a former BOT member from the Netherlands. For the past
several years, Andre has been collecting in Panama through the
Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute. Through the efforts of
a team including Ken Normandin and John Boylan, several new species of
Rivulus have been collected as well as numerous populations of known species.
Andre's
presentation will focus on the efforts he and the others have made.
In addition, this year
Andre will be accompanied by his girlfriend Rasa on her first trip to
the United States. Rasa is from Estonia.
RICHARD PIERCE
Rich is a
long-time member of the AKA from New England where he specializes in
Lampeyes and Madagasgar killies.
This year he will be
talking about Lampeyes with a new program and many new photos of the
fish.
FRED
BEHRMANN
Fred is one of
the AKA's top breeders and has been producing large numbers of killies
for sale through the F&E Listings in the BNL for many years.
He operates a 300+ tank setup in a small storefront in Athens, NY.
Fred's
presentation is a 'How To' on his techniques, theories and the
philosophy of raising killies his way. He jokingly refers to the
presentation as "Killing Killies My Way". His
presentation will be a little different - only a limited number of
pictures, but lots of demonstration items. Fred will regale us
all with his misadventures and ideas about the hobby.
GARY
GREENWOOD & JOHN METZGER
This should
be an exciting workshop as two of the best breeders in the hobby get
together to tell you how they do it. This will be an interactive
workshop where you get to participate, ask questions and add your
ideas to the program.
TONY
TERCIERA & JOHN BRILL
We've all
heard Tony & John talk about their techniques at fish photography
in the past. Two of the finest photographers in and out of the
hobby will now lead a
hands-on workshop where you can bring your camera and actually use
specially designed photo tanks under the instruction of John and Tony.
The exciting
addition to this workshop is the Photo Tanks will be auctioned
following the presentations.
FRIDAY
NIGHT SUPER TRIVIA with CHARLIE GRIMES
Friday
Evening is planned to be one of the most enjoyable experiences ever
held at an AKA Convention. The Hospitality Room will open early
and there will be plenty of food available for everyone, but the that
is only the beginning.
At about 8:00
PM - the Super Tag Team Trivia Contest - filled with all sorts of
prizes - will begin. Affiliate clubs should begin now to select
their team or teams of 3 in order to compete. Attendees who are
not affiliated with an affiliate club will be given a chance to form
independent teams prior to the contest. Be prepared to win some
great prizes or perhaps something you never expected to see!
As everyone
knows, Charlie Grimes is one of the funniest people in the hobby and
he will be bringing his special talent to this year's
convention. Charlie will be the Game Show Host for the Super
Trivia Challenge as well as the Master of Ceremonies for the Banquet
and Awards Ceremony.
