20 Jan Texas Aquaculture 44th Annual Conference and Trade Show | January 29-31st | Fredericksburg
Texas Aquaculture 44th Annual Conference and Trade Show. January 29-31, 2014. Fredericksburg, Texas
This year’s theme, taken from a hit song from the 70’s, translates into Texan as “Takin Care of Bidness”. The phrase says exactly what we have to do in today’s highly competitive economic environment, to stay ahead of the game. We have to do what we do best, do it better than our competition, and we have to provide better quality, better service and better pricing, all the while growing and expanding or at the very least, maintaining a solid, solvent business. Sometimes that seems impossible and yet, the American/Texan “Can Do” attitude lives on every day in every one of our aquaculture enterprises, striving, fighting, “tooth and nail” or “scale and fin” for every advantage possible.
That is the whole point and purpose of the TAA’s Annual Conference and Trade Show; to introduce new concepts, new ideas, new opportunities, to ignite the imagination, to stimulate the mind and generate new possibilities for success, providing attendees with new enthusiasm for Taking Care of Business and getting the job done.
Vendors are starting to sign up for the Trade Show. Best locations are assigned on a first come, first choice of spots. This is the opportunity to showcase your products and services to a select, target audience. We are offering, the “Exhibitors Showcase” where you have 10 minutes in front of the session attendees to make your pitch, to promote yourself and your company’s products and services. Sign up to be a vendor now, beat the crowd! As many of you know, there are regulatory changes afoot at TPWD. The way regulations have been interpreted in the past for transporting exotic species has been redefined and expanded to be more clear. TDA is reexamining its interpretation of regulations and definitions. And, as always, there is confusion and questions of interpretation with TCEQ. Who needs a permit or license and who doesn’t? These three Texas government agencies will make presentations and provide a Q&A session to help clear the confusion.
We have created a break-out session especially for students. Students, you really don’t want to miss this special event. Many of Texas’ aquaculture veterans will be present in this session, sharing what they’ve spent years learning the hard way, working in the field. College professors, researchers, high school ag. teachers, Extension folks, invite, encourage, insist your students attend this event. There will be a Q&A following this session for students to network with industry leaders and ask questions.
Catfish hybrids, intensive shrimp culture, nutrition, new culture methods, alternative species, you name it in aquaculture research and, perhaps a few “gee whiz” or off the wall topics will be presented as well. All the food for thought you can digest in a short three day event!
And as always, TAA famous hospitality will come shining through. We’ll make sure you have plenty of food to eat, plenty to drink, plenty of opportunities to visit with aquaculture vendors in the Trade Show, opportunities to visit with old friends and new ones, and opportunities to go out on the town for even more entertainment. This is an event you don’t want to miss!
PARTICIPATION OPPORTUNITIES
There are several opportunities to participate in this great event, Taking Care of Business: Speakers, Attendees, Students, Exhibitors and varying levels of Sponsorships. Participating in this significant event will give you and your company the needed targeted exposure in Texas aquaculture. The 44th Annual Conference & Trade Show is your only opportunity to target so many, at one time, in one place, in Texas.
Attendees
Texas Aquaculture Association offers an opportunity for those interested in aquaculture or for those who have been involved with aquaculture for many years. Review our conference information and consider participating in all activities.
Full Program includes the following:
1.Attendance to all Aquaculture Sessions
2.Breakfast for both days at the Inn
3.Three Breaks
4.Two Lunches in the Trade Show
5.Exhibitor/Sponsor Social – Thursday before the Banquet
6.TAA Aquaculture Banquet – Thursday evening.
You can choose to enhance your experience with the extra activities:
1. President's Reception – Wednesday evening – Included with your registration, reserve your place at this reception.
2.Scholarship Golf Tournament – Wednesday afternoon ($75).
3.Wine Tours.
4.Shopping in historic downtown Fredericksburg.
Exhibitors
Participation at the Exhibitor level provides an opportunity to display your products and services to those
active in the aquaculture industry.
You and one other person will be able to take advantage of:
1.8' X 10' draped booth, covered table, two chairs & electricity (upon request) See design below.
2.Registration for two people
3.Full Program (See Attendees)
4.President’s Reception
5.Wireless internet access
6.Website advertising for 2014
7.Display area for large equipment outside
Visibility for these two days is outstanding! The following is scheduled in the Trade Show area:
1.All breaks
2.Exhibitor/Sponsor Reception
3.Two Lunches
Optional Exhibitor Showcase is available to Exhibitors.
All Showcase time slots are 10 minute throughout the Conference during the Sessions. You can provide the attendees with information about you and your product, handouts and demonstrations are welcomed. Let us know if you are interested and we will give you an Exhibitor’s Showcase time slot.
You can also be recognized as a Sponsor by donating an item for our Silent Auction/Raffle. This is a great opportunity to get your name and your product in front everyone at the Conference. It definitely will set you apart from others.
CONFERENCE SCHEDULE
Rob Schmid is putting together the technical sessions this year, which promise to be informative, interesting and thought-provoking. More information on the technical session agenda will be available on the TAA web site at www.texasaquaculture.org and in our weekly updates as it becomes available.
TENTATIVE SCHEDULE OF EVENTS
Wednesday, January 29, 2014
1:00p Early Registration
1:00p – 5:00p TAA Scholarship Golf Tournament, Lady Bird Johnson Golf Course
3:00p – 10:00p Exhibitor set-up in Trade Show area at Conference Center, Inn on Barons Creek
7:00p – 11:00p President’s Reception (Theater Room Inn on Barons Creek)
Thursday, January 30, 2014
8:00a – 5:00p Registration
8:00a – 9:00a Breakfast served at the Inn on Barons Creek
8:00a – 4:50p Trade Show
9:00a – 9:15a Opening of 44th Annual Conference & Trade Show (Conference Center, Inn on Barons Creek)
9:15a – 9:45a Annual Business Meeting, Awards and Scholarships
9:45a – 11:40a First Session, then Break in Trade Show area
11:40a – 12:50p Walk in – Talk in Lunch in the Trade Show area
1:00p – 3:20p Second Session , then Break in Trade Show area
3:30p – 5:00p Third Session
3:30p – 5:00p Student Session
5:30p – 6:30p Exhibitor/Sponsor Social, (Located in the Courtyard, Nimitz Museum)
6:30p – 10:00p TAA Aquaculture Banquet (Located in the Ballroom, Nimitz Museum)
Friday, January 31, 2014
8:00a – 5:00p Registration
8:00a – 9:00a Breakfast served at the Inn on Barons Creek
8:00a – 1:30p Trade Show
9:00a – 11:40a Fourth Session with a Break in the Trade Show area
11:40a – 12:30p Walkin – Talkin Lunch in the Trade Show area
12:30p – 1:30p Fifth Session
1:30p – 3:00p TAA Board Meeting (Theater Room, Inn on Barons Creek)
2:00p – 5:00p Aquaculture Demonstrations and/or Facility Tours (Subject to availability)
Yes, TAA is changing the conference location! The conference has been in Bay City for a number of years, and it’s such an easy, comfortable place to have the conference. The folks at the Bay City Civic Center and the caterers have been such gracious hosts; however, we felt like the conference needed a change of venue, to generate some new spark for the event! Fredericksburg is in the heart of Texas Hill Country and is filled with entertainment, recreational and socializing opportunities. A visit to the internet provides an abundance of entertainment information; the Nimitz Museum, 150+ shops, boutiques and galleries, over 30 vineyards and wineries, at least one brewery, golf, plus tons of live music. There’s more to do, than just the Karaoke Night, in Fredericksburg (although they have that too)!
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