Dive Into Education and Community at Reef Retreat!
Calling all reef keepers, marine aquarists, and those desiring to expand their knowledge. Ticket sales are officially open for Reef Retreat.
Unlike traditional commercial marine trade shows, Reef Retreat intentionally strips away the sales floor and livestock vendors. Instead, the conference returns to what makes the hobby truly special: learning, storytelling, data-driven science, and cultivating genuine community connections.
Conference Overview
- Where: Hosted right on the water at Roger Williams University in Bristol, Rhode Island.
- When: June 4–6, 2027
- The Atmosphere: Intimate, retreat-style environment designed to encourage deep conversations with experts, researchers, and fellow hobbyists alike.
- On-Site Perks: Attendees can choose all-inclusive packages that include on-campus accommodations (private or shared dorms/suites) and meal plans, creating an immersive weekend experience.
Featured Speaker Highlights
Reef Retreat features world-class presenters spanning academic science, public aquarium expertise, and advanced hobbyist practices:
- Dr. Kenneth Hoadley is a marine eco-physiologist whose research focuses on how physiological and genetic diversity in photosynthetic marine algae influence their responses to environmental change.
- Dr. Sanjay Joshi has spent decades converting his experience into practical advice for aquarists. He is well known in the hobby, especially for his work on reef lighting and system design.
- Dr. Chris Jury is currently an Assistant Researcher at the Hawai‘i Institute of Marine Biology and Coral Specialist at the Waikiki Aquarium. Chris is an outspoken advocate of the importance of the interaction between marine science and the marine hobby.
- Dr. Samuel Nietzer co-founded SciReef, a Germany-based company dedicated to producing corals for the marine aquarium industry through sexual reproduction.
- Keri O’Neil is director and senior coral scientist of the Coral Conservation Research Center (CCRC), Keri oversees the daily care of corals rescued from the spread of stony coral tissue loss disease in Florida and other stressors. She and her team at The Florida Aquarium have spawned and raised 14 species of coral native to Florida and have worked with partners to outplant thousands of coral recruits onto Florida’s Coral Reef.
- Dr. Andrew Rhyne is an Associate Professor of Marine Biology at Roger Williams University and a leading researcher in marine ornamental aquaculture and the aquarium trade.
- Richard Ross has over 30 years in the aquarium field, working across retail, wholesale, collection, farming, and public aquarium settings, Widely known for his Skeptical Reefkeeping articles, entertaining talks, and as co-host of the Reef Beef Podcast.
- Julian Sprung is President of the aquarium industry company Two Little Fishies, Inc. that he co-founded in 1991. Julian has been keeping marine aquariums for more than 40 years, and currently maintains 7 marine aquariums plus a few planted freshwater displays too.
- Nicole Yeomans is a marine scientist and PhD researcher at the University of Derby, where her work explores how AI, microbiome diagnostics and microbial interventions can be used to detect coral stress earlier and improve coral health.
Special Panels & Attendee Flash Talks
In addition to keynotes, the event fosters open-ended discussion through targeted panels and short-form presentations:
- Panel Discussions: Interactive conversations exploring modern topics like AI applications in reef keeping, non-photosynthetic (NPS) coral husbandry, building massive DIY setups, and cold-water reefing.
- Attendee Flash Talks: Brief, energetic presentations from everyday hobbyists sharing innovative builds, experiments, and success stories.
Secure Your Spot Today
Because Reef Retreat emphasizes an intimate setting with limited total capacity, tickets sell quickly. Registration packages range from full all-inclusive dorm accommodations to commuter-only options with dining included.
Head over to www.reefretreat.org to view full registration details, secure your ticket, and reserve your place for an unforgettable weekend on the water!
