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The 2008 Aquatic Gardeners Association Convention in Atlanta, Georgia November 14 - 16 will present some of the most fascinating and progressive speakers in the planted aquarium hobby. You don’t want to miss this event!

Here’s more information about two of the six speakers:

Takashi Amano
Aqua Design Amano
Niigata, Japan

Amano established the original layout style ‘Nature Aquarium’ that introduced the concept of aquascaping to the planted aquarium hobby. He founded Aqua Design Amano Co., Ltd in 1982. He developed and manufactured aquatic plants cultivation equipment, called ‘Nature Aquarium Goods’ that was focused on its design and quality. In 1992, he published ”Nature Aquarium World Book 1” and his 2nd photo book, ”Nature Aquarium World Book 2” was translated into seven languages. Thus the concept of ‘Nature Aquarium’ was spread all over the world.

Since 1975, Amano has visited tropical rainforests in Amazon, Borneo and West Africa and pristine forests in Japan, and he has been working on series of photos focusing on “untouched nature” with his large-format cameras. He captures minute details of nature found at site on extra large size films (up to 8x20 inches). His works have been introduced internationally through the several exhibitions and publications. Amano is now taking on a challenge to record the existing precious nature of Japan on large-format films and pass down to posterity.

Michael Kane, Ph.D.
Assistant Chair & Professor
Environmental Horticulture Department
University of Florida

Dr. Michael Kane is a professor in the Environmental Horticulture Department at the UF Gainesville campus and the program manager of the Plant Restoration, Conservation and Propagation Biotechnology Program. The goal of his research is to develop ecologically sound and commercially viable plant tissue culture (micropropagation) procedures for production of aquarium, wetland and coastal plants and endangered orchids. Dr. Kane uses this knowledge to enhance the restoration of wetland habitats and retention ponds for phytoremediation (using plants to clean up the environment). In his lecture, Dr. Kane will explain the micropropagation process and how it can be applied to the efficient propagation of aquatics using Cryptocoryne, Anubias, Nelumbo, Aponogeton, Myriophyllum and Sagittaria species as examples. Rumor has it that he will provide a “Home Tissue Culture Kit” to each convention attendee. Neat!

Atlanta Attractions
If you have extra time in Atlanta, there’s plenty to see and do. Here are some recommendations if you’re planning to come early or stay late for the Convention.

Georgia Aquarium (AGA Field Trip Tickets $23.50)
MARTA: Peachtree Center Station
225 Baker Street NW, Atlanta, GA 30313
Phone: 404.581.4000, http://www.georgiaaquarium.org
With eight million gallons of fresh and marine water, the Georgia Aquarium is home to approximately 80,000 animals, representing 500 species. Some of the Aquarium's most notable specimens include four whale sharks, the largest fish in the world, and four beluga whales. To get the special field trip rates, go to the AGA web site.

Atlanta Botanical Garden
MARTA: Arts Center Station, then #36 North Decatur bus (#27 Monroe/Lindberg bus on Sundays)
1345 Piedmont Avenue NE, Atlanta, GA 30309
Phone: 404.876.5859, Atlanta Botanical Garden
The Atlanta Botanical Garden features over thirty acres of unmatched beauty in the heart of Atlanta. Stroll through Japanese, rose, perennial, vegetable, rock, herb and conifer gardens, or walk the trails in a 15-acre mature hardwood forest. Atlanta Botanical Garden is home to one of the largest permanent orchid displays in the world, as well as a conservatory dedicated to rare and endangered plants from deserts and tropical rainforests.

Register soon! Go to the Aquatic Gardeners Association web site to register and see a preliminary schedule.

Looks like a great time and a great event!

Thanks, looks to be a good one this year. There is also a attendee-driven plant auction that's purported to be the largest plant auction in the US

Interesting photos from Takashi Amano:

Aquarium Art By Takashi Amano » Hemmy.net - A source of varied interests

Want to meet fellow hobbyists and friends from near and far?

Want to see the world's most renowned aquatic plant artist, Takashi Amano, create an aquascape before your eyes?

Want to learn how you can grow whole plants from small samples of plant cells?

How about watching two of the finest aquascapers go head to head in a live competition?

Or how about just learning about what makes plants grow better or which fern grows best under what conditions?

Hear, see, meet experts from around the world, including Amano, Senske, Tan, Kane, Randall, and Morin plus one of the greatest aquariums in the World, plus the country’s, perhaps the world’s, largest aquatic plant auction (buy, sell, do both: if you sell $95 worth of plants at the auction, you've made back your registration cost ... if you can resist the temptation to buy something else)--

--all that and more at the 2008 Aquatic Gardeners Association Convention.

For info look here, but don't wait, the special hotel rates are only guaranteed if you sign up by Oct. 18:
Aquatic Gardeners Association Annual Convention

Moderators, please move if placed inappropriately. Please feel free to cross-post and/or translate.

Here's a chance for a last minute registration. The hotel deadline has been extended to Oct. 29 for the $109 rate (for a downtown hotel that's an incredible deal).




Last Chance: Today is the last day to get the guaranteed $109 room rate at the Sheraton Atlanta Hotel for the AGA convention!

Here’s more information about the events and two of the six convention speakers:


Jeff Senske
Aquarium Design Group, Houston, Texas
Jeff Senske founded Aquarium Design Group with his brother Mike in 2000 with the goal of setting a new standard for high end custom aquarium design. This year's presentation, Effective Design, will discuss specific strategies for creating interesting and effective designs from a minimal amount of elements, as well as long-term maintenance techniques... read more


Benito Tan, PhD
Singapore Botanic Gardens, Singapore
KL (The Moss Guy)'s Professor Benito Tan, a well-known authority on moss taxonomy and biogeography in Asia, will speak on the correct scientific name of Java Moss, and taxonomy and its application in commercially sold aquarium bryophytes... read more

Florida Aquatic Nurseries is a convention sponsor again this year, and they are taking this opportunity to premier two new aquatic plants for AGA members. See these two plants live and in person in the Vendor Room, and on Sunday you can bid on them in the auction!


Nesea pedicellata 'Golden'


Cryptocoryne wendtii 'Florida Sunset'

AGA Banquet The Saturday night Banquet is more than a great meal: you get to see the winners of the 2008 AGA Aquascaping Contest FIRST and hear directly from the judges who are present. Then Karen Randall will share her experiences exploring southern Thailand. Only those with banquet tickets ($40) will see these events!

Register now! Go to the Aquatic Gardeners Association web site to register and see a preliminary schedule. Questions? E-mail us at convention @ aquatic-gardeners.org.