MACNA 2011 annouces 5 People’s Choice Speakers and the polls are open

The organizers of MACNA 2011 are changing things up again — apparently no one could agree on who should fill the five remaining speaker spots at this year’s MACNA, so instead a Facebook-based MACNA People’s Choice Speaker Poll has been created. Voting lauched today and runs for one month (until mid-April). Accessing the poll requires that you’re a “Facebook Member” and that you “Like” the application (and probably need to be a “fan” of MACNA 2011 on Facebook in general).

So far, MACNA’s 2011 speaker lineup includes Anthony Calfo, Murray Camp, David Hannan, Sanjay Joshi, Kevin Kohen, Marc Levenson, Scott Michael, Julian Sprung, Jim Stime, Jr., Charlie Veron, and Matt Wittenrich. The following speakers (we believe all quite capable and worthy of your time) are up for your consideration, along with our 2-3 word synopsis of what the speaker is generally known for lately.

Ret Talbot – reefer, sustainability, author
Gary Parr – reefer, macro photography, blooger
Randy Reed – phytoplankton and rotifers, Reef Nutrition and Reed Mariculture
Mike Paletta – reefer, coral propagator
Simon Garrett – reefer, D-D The Aquarium Solution
Joe Yauillo – reefer, Atlantis Marine World
Tony Vargas – reefer, author
Scott Fellman* – dual-water aquascaper, showman, House of Fins
James Fatherlee – clams, lighting, cost cutting
Adam Blundell – coral reef ecologist, reefer
Richard Ross* – Mr. Cephalopod, Stienhart Aquarium
Sandy Shoup – reefer, author
Matt Pedersen* – fish breeding, author
Bob Fenner – reefer, author, Wet Web Media
Chales Delbeek – reefer, author, Stienhart Aquarium

*denotes speakers who have contributed to Reef Builders.

Need to know more about a potential speaker? MACNA organizers have also setup up a Facebook thread for people to ask for more information (it is linked off the poll). There is also an area in the poll for “write ins” if your favorite speaker (or someone new you’d like to hear from) isn’t on the list. It is quite possible that we might even see a grassroots campaign or two started by individuals who believe they have something to contribute to such an event and may have been overlooked or unknown to organizers at this point in time.

While such a poll kind-of smacks of a “popularity content” and is perhaps even open to a bit of ballot stuffing by people who have no intention of going to MACNA, we need to remember that this is an event for the audience, every marine aquarist and industry attendee. Presumably, the speakers that draw the biggest crowds (because more people want to hear from them) are probably the ones that help make the overall event a success. Ultimately, this poll is taking the pulse of the potential MACNA audience with the results being “somewhat binding,” but GIRS club member votes are also being factored into the mix and are separate from the poll results.

We think this is an interesting balance between MACNA organizers making their own unilateral calls (i.e. dictating what messages and topics are featured and who presents them) and giving the general audience what they want. While possible a “risky” move, it will be interesting to see how this idea plays out. Nothing risked, nothing learned.

Now go vote!

Matt Pedersen

Matt Pedersen is an interactive software developer and part-time fly fishing guide originally from Chicago, IL and current living in Duluth, MN, USA. Additionally, Matt has experience as a professional orchid breeder and certified fly rod builder. Matt has been a marine aquarist for 23 years, and an aquarist for 28+. After spending time on every side of the aquarium industry (retail, commercial and private maintenance & installation, wholesale, hatchery), he currently considers himself a "professional hobbyist". Most recently, Matt has currently spawned 22 species of marine fish, successfully raising 8 of them to date including one worldwide first (the Harlequin Filefish, Oxymonacanthus longirostris), as well as attempted another 6 invertebrate species to date. Most all of this was accomplished with less than 100 gallons of total working capacity, and all in closed culture. In 2010, Matt Pedersen was selected as the breeder of choice to work with the now famous "PNG Lightning Maroon Clownfish" from the SEASMART program, and chronicles the efforts to propagate this one-of-a-kind fish online at The Lightning Project. Matt Pedersen is credited with starting MOFIB (Marine Ornamental Fish & Invertebrate Breeder's Association) and writing for multiple publications including Coral, Koralle, Practical Fish Keeping, Reef Hobbyist Magazine and Reef Builders. Matt has spoken at numerous aquarium clubs and events from coast to coast. He currently sits on the MBI (Marine Breeding Initiative) Council, a project dedicated to bringing the concept of a unified Marine Breeder's Award Program to hobbyist organizations across the country and around the globe. In 2009, Matt was awarded "Aquarist of the Year" honors by both IMAC West and MASNA in recognition of his accomplishments and contributions to the marine aquarium hobby. Last updated October, 2010.