AGA Convention Starts Tomorrow

Hindsight is 20/20. As a stubborn Nor'easter sits off the coast and drenches the northeast with cold rain, I really wish I had a sunny getaway planned for sometime soon. For those of you heading to the Aquatic Gardener's Association convention tomorrow, you get a sunny getaway and some really interesting aquascaping activities and chances to win some sweet ADA equipment that make me wholly jealous.

First, there's an amazing panel of speakers including Jason Baliban. If you aren't sure Jason Baliban or any of the other speakers are, AGA has provided speaker bios, but really all you need to know is that Jason has created a number of amazing aquascapes such as this one:

Speaks for itself.

Second, there's a bunch of awesome activities, including a trip to Florida Aquatic Nurseries. Chances are if you've bought plants from a pet store, they came from FAN. The tour of the facilities is just $5 including a Cuban cuisine lunch. Then, later there's a tissue culture workshop, where you'll get to create your own plant cultures. Friday night is the Aquarium Design Group sponsored Iron Aquascaper competition, where two aquascapers go head to head and create the best aquascape possible in just an hour using all the best aquascaping materials from ADA. So. Jealous.

Just like the ADA International Aquatic Planted Layout Contest, AGA will announce the winners of this year's international aquascaping competition at a banquet on Saturday night. Sunday will host the country's largest aquatic plant auction.

As if all of that weren't enough, ADG is giving away an ADA Solar Mini S and the winner's choice of a Mini S Mist Type R or Mini S clear glass aquarium to one lucky person registered and attending the AGA convention, with an extra entry chance to win for "liking" ADG on Facebook.

I have to say, the AGA convention organizers and ADG have really put together a spectacular line up this year, and I'm so jealous of all of you who may be going. For the rest of you who are in the same (soggy) boat as I am, I'll be posting updates including the contest results and any news right here. I'm already ready to book my tickets for next year!