MACNA 2013 too expensive
- Thread starter Airtex
- Start date
Seriously. It was the most crowded MACNA I've ever seen. I"ll be curious to hear what the actual attendance numbers were once they've had time to catch their breaths and do those tally's.
AquamanE
Active member
AquamanE
Active member
Mat did AN AMAZING job for sure but neither he nor the MACNA Committee could have pulled this event off with out you guys.
You and your club are now the talk of the world!!!!
nivram
New member
I am just seeing this thread for the first time. I will try not to repeat what others have said so far. To the original poster and others that share similar feelings. Unfortunately to put on an event of the size and caliber of Macna, it requires us to charge an entry fee.
I'm not clear as to if you ended up coming to macna. If you did attend and are still unhappy, i apologize on behalf of FMAS. I believe our entry prices were for the most part on par with past Macnas. Yes, it was at the Westin and yes they charged us a pretty penny. But our goal was to put on one of the best Macnas ever.
So while I respect your opinion and feel its unfortunate you did not experience what many felt was an enjoyable and worthwhile experience. I hope you understand it was never our intention to exclude anyone from our event.
If you did not make it to Macna, I hope you can experience one in the near future. It's something every hobbyist should experience at least once.
Marvin
FMAS President
I'm not clear as to if you ended up coming to macna. If you did attend and are still unhappy, i apologize on behalf of FMAS. I believe our entry prices were for the most part on par with past Macnas. Yes, it was at the Westin and yes they charged us a pretty penny. But our goal was to put on one of the best Macnas ever.
So while I respect your opinion and feel its unfortunate you did not experience what many felt was an enjoyable and worthwhile experience. I hope you understand it was never our intention to exclude anyone from our event.
If you did not make it to Macna, I hope you can experience one in the near future. It's something every hobbyist should experience at least once.
Marvin
FMAS President
Tecdiverfl
Member
The deals on Sunday were worth the $40 entrance price. Think of it as the entrance price was the cost of a nice frag... If they held MACNA in a dumpy place people would complained
Marvin, Eddie and Matt and the others did a great job.....
Marvin, Eddie and Matt and the others did a great job.....
AquamanE
Active member
Early bird gets the worm.
AquamanE
Active member
Marvin- I think some feel this is just a Big Frag Swap when indeed IT IS NOT.
This event is about All major manufactures being present, speakers from all over the world, evening events, socializing with the whole world with regards to folks with similar interests.
Those not interested in world wide speakers, ALL major manufacturers, and social events: FMAS will have a frag swap soon.
BTW- MACNA will very likely not come to South Florida for a number of years. You are still invited to our local events to be announced on www.fmas1955.org
jimbo78
Premium Member
I'm glad I volunteered, but if there had been a ticket to just go to the main event I would have gone Saturday as it was I only got 2 hours on Sunday after my shift ended at noon. Wasn't nearly enough time. I barely got to look at corals. My wife also volunteered and she's not really I to the hobby. She did however get to guard eddies Cigar...
CORALFISHG
Member
i was absolutely fine with the cost of macna entry itself... my issue was with the diplomat.. my wife works for the Hilton hotel and we decided to stay off site at one of there hotels for 29$ a nite instead of staying at the diplomat.. but after paying 20$ for parking each of the days, and a extra 10$ both Friday and Saturday for the banquet and reception (had to take the wife and kids back to our hotel, wife did not have full conference ticket), it almost didn't make staying off site worth it.. Not to mention the absolutely ridiculous prices for food!! and they had you over a barrel because there was no were to go and get food unless you left in your car, in which then you would have had to pay for parking again.. lol
once again i don't think this had anything to do with fmas or macna, it was completely a issue i had with the venue.. i appreciate everything that Eddie, Marvin, and the rest of the crew did to make this a awesome event to go to..
once again i don't think this had anything to do with fmas or macna, it was completely a issue i had with the venue.. i appreciate everything that Eddie, Marvin, and the rest of the crew did to make this a awesome event to go to..
Enough whining already guys. I am so sick of people complaining about the prices when you could of gone in for free if you volunteered. I attended all 3 days for FREE so you could of as well. Anyways, enough of that for now.
The guys and girls worked VERY hard to put this on for us to enjoy and they didnt even get to enjoy it THEMSELVES. Seeing this many people complaining about something that they worked so hard on has to hurt.
If you have nothing nice to say, then don't say anything at all.
Thanks to all that worked their butts off (volunteers included)!
The guys and girls worked VERY hard to put this on for us to enjoy and they didnt even get to enjoy it THEMSELVES. Seeing this many people complaining about something that they worked so hard on has to hurt.
If you have nothing nice to say, then don't say anything at all.
Thanks to all that worked their butts off (volunteers included)!
Crimthann
New member
I'm kinda shocked this thread hasn't been closed. I wasn't able to attend because I couldn't get off of work, but if I could have I would have attended all 3 days. As far as conferences go it was pretty inexpensive. I've paid 120+ for medical conferences where I didn't get crap, minus some ABG needles and a keychain with lungs on it.
I will be attending the Denver one, and I'm very much looking forward to paying whatever to do so.
I will be attending the Denver one, and I'm very much looking forward to paying whatever to do so.
maxheadroom
Clownfish Farmer
I tried to volunteer so I could get in free so I emailed. I received an email back saying volunteers were still needed. Great! I asked when I would be needed or what my schedule would be. Never heard back from anyone. I emailed again and still didn't get a reply.
rovster
New member
This thread is ridiculous. I did not go to macna, but after all these threads I WISH I did! Can't believe people are complaining about the price. Sounds like prices were more than fair. Sounds like I missed a great opportunity. Kicking myself in the butt really. I would have gladly paid full price at the door, at the FMAS discount offered earlier, it was a STEAL!
You guys would flip your lid if you knew what it cost to go to a trade show in my profession, HA!
You guys would flip your lid if you knew what it cost to go to a trade show in my profession, HA!
Fish2reef
New member
I must confess I made a big mistake in my first MACNA; bought a full access but did not understand this included the reception and banquet so I missed out on those two. All for not knowing what to expect.
It cost lots of money to put together a quality event like MACNA; trust me I am doing the accounting. Can we make it cheaper? Yes, if we downgrade the event, take away international speakers, Friday reception, Sunday banquet, hold event at a small fairground; then MACNA would lose its appeal to all that travel every year to attend, the big companies would not justify the expense to come and it would be just another big frag swap.
We have lots of frag swaps but only one MACNA that is why it has a loyal following, after a couple of MACNA’s you get to know some of the regulars that have been to 10+ and one has been to all 25. I have not heard of a frag swap that draws people from Saudi Arabia, Brazil, Puerto Rico, Australia, Germany (these are people I dealt with helping at registration) by the way staying at the official MACNA hotel gives you an incredible after hours casual exposure to awesome hobbyist and manufacturer contacts, I highly recommend it to anyone attending in the future.
On the free handouts side, we had bags for the first 2500 attendees it took a group of about 15 volunteers to give up a Saturday to make this happen. Then you have to be on the lookout for other free stuff, your first shot was the quarantine dip on the counter it sells at $5 per pack, was there free for the taking no limit and the same scenario repeated in the hall with many other products. Good deals and handouts alone are 1/3 of the value; look up the speaker line up, notice MACNA gives you access to legends not only to listen but to approach, purpose of making their lanyard with a big red speaker label.
MACNA is a special event that has a track record of 25 years with a growing attendance and reputation, hosting this event (owned by MASNA) contractually obligates you to continue this trend and cater to the wide range of local, national and international vendors and followers. I do not see a reduction in MACNA’s value in the near future on the contrary, attend while you can because as it grows so will the demands on hosting club and cost.
I thank all for the opportunity to serve and represent South Florida, overall I hope I added some value to this event and made most if not all proud.
It cost lots of money to put together a quality event like MACNA; trust me I am doing the accounting. Can we make it cheaper? Yes, if we downgrade the event, take away international speakers, Friday reception, Sunday banquet, hold event at a small fairground; then MACNA would lose its appeal to all that travel every year to attend, the big companies would not justify the expense to come and it would be just another big frag swap.
We have lots of frag swaps but only one MACNA that is why it has a loyal following, after a couple of MACNA’s you get to know some of the regulars that have been to 10+ and one has been to all 25. I have not heard of a frag swap that draws people from Saudi Arabia, Brazil, Puerto Rico, Australia, Germany (these are people I dealt with helping at registration) by the way staying at the official MACNA hotel gives you an incredible after hours casual exposure to awesome hobbyist and manufacturer contacts, I highly recommend it to anyone attending in the future.
On the free handouts side, we had bags for the first 2500 attendees it took a group of about 15 volunteers to give up a Saturday to make this happen. Then you have to be on the lookout for other free stuff, your first shot was the quarantine dip on the counter it sells at $5 per pack, was there free for the taking no limit and the same scenario repeated in the hall with many other products. Good deals and handouts alone are 1/3 of the value; look up the speaker line up, notice MACNA gives you access to legends not only to listen but to approach, purpose of making their lanyard with a big red speaker label.
MACNA is a special event that has a track record of 25 years with a growing attendance and reputation, hosting this event (owned by MASNA) contractually obligates you to continue this trend and cater to the wide range of local, national and international vendors and followers. I do not see a reduction in MACNA’s value in the near future on the contrary, attend while you can because as it grows so will the demands on hosting club and cost.
I thank all for the opportunity to serve and represent South Florida, overall I hope I added some value to this event and made most if not all proud.
Biggar
New member
Full passes with room rental reaped the most benefits: Breaking it down a little
Parking was 12 a day. I was there 3 days, and got charged for 2. Saved 36.00 off regular price
Stayed 2 nights at 200.00 off regular price. Saved 400.00
Got four free meals x (2 people)= Saved approx 75.00 x 2= 150.00
Got 4 free drinks= Saved about 30.00
Got 5 off room each night for not using room service- saved 10.00
Got 2 50.00 salt rebates= credit back when I buy RC salt= 100.00
Free Fish Food= At least $80.00
Free shirts and other stuff= 200.00
Got rid of excess corals 300.00
Bought Three corals half off 25.00
Have several coupons, including 25% allfish- Priceless
Spent on raffle- zero. Im just unlucky
Spent on awesome room for 2 nights 340.00 I believe. And they let me check in 6 hours early!
Spent on Food- Spent about 100.00
MACNA Tickets- 90.00 x 2 180
CREDIT= About 1325.00
DEBIT= About 720.00
I feel like MACNA paid me $625.00 and gave awesome place to stay.
Parking was 12 a day. I was there 3 days, and got charged for 2. Saved 36.00 off regular price
Stayed 2 nights at 200.00 off regular price. Saved 400.00
Got four free meals x (2 people)= Saved approx 75.00 x 2= 150.00
Got 4 free drinks= Saved about 30.00
Got 5 off room each night for not using room service- saved 10.00
Got 2 50.00 salt rebates= credit back when I buy RC salt= 100.00
Free Fish Food= At least $80.00
Free shirts and other stuff= 200.00
Got rid of excess corals 300.00
Bought Three corals half off 25.00
Have several coupons, including 25% allfish- Priceless
Spent on raffle- zero. Im just unlucky
Spent on awesome room for 2 nights 340.00 I believe. And they let me check in 6 hours early!
Spent on Food- Spent about 100.00
MACNA Tickets- 90.00 x 2 180
CREDIT= About 1325.00
DEBIT= About 720.00
I feel like MACNA paid me $625.00 and gave awesome place to stay.
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