AGA Convention 2026

[BenB]

April 22-26, 2026
Sacramento, CA

I know that is too far out for many people to care right now, but I have to organize my time off sooner than later.
Hope everyone will be there!

 

[HarryL]

I might go!

 

[ElleDee]

Has that been officially announced? Are there any other details?

 

[HarryL]

Has that been officially announced? Are there any other details?

It's announced in the newest issue, will be hosted by the Sacramento Aquarium Society. More info will come later

 

[gnatster]

Registration is open at AGA 2026 Convention | Aquatic Plants, Fish & Aquascaping

 

[ElleDee]

I am going to this! I was on the fence because it's so on the other side of the country but the list of speakers looks great.

The 2024 convention was local and I went to most of the talks, but I also had a tiny baby I needed to feed every few hours. It was a bummer that I couldn't fully participate. Now that baby is a toddler and she'll be fine without me for a few days

 

[Lush_Aqua]

I can't make it out that date. But I am HOPING that the next one makes it back to the east coast (maybe even Washington DC again). Fingers crossed!

 

[HarryL]

Was planning to go but another trip happens to fall at the same time. It's only a couple hours from me but I won't be able to make it unfortunately. Was hoping to meet some people

 

[SkaleyAquatics]

I was really hoping to make it to this. Unfortunately it was the only available date my club could get the venue for our 2 day event. Plus its my wife's birthday a few days later. I don't think she would've been too happy with my flying to California for basically a week without her right before her birthday, especially since she had zero interest in going.

 

[techman81]

So I was reading the list of speakers they have lined up and all 7 are "fish" people. Is that typical of AGA conventions, because it seems a bit odd that there wouldn't at least be an even split of plant and fish experts.

 

[BenB]

So I was reading the list of speakers they have lined up and all 7 are "fish" people. Is that typical of AGA conventions, because it seems a bit odd that there wouldn't at least be an even split of plant and fish experts.

In THIS list, the only ones that don't look, to me, to be plant or plant related are Randy Carey and Ivan Mikolji. Mikolji's talk is on the Orinoco river, so I guess that could be fish and plants. David Chow is going to do an aquascaping demo. Those are always interesting. I agree, they usually are more plant heavy, and I also don't want to fly to Cali for fish talks. The last one had 2 fish talks and one of them was the main keynote address. They both were about blue eyed rainbows. So actually good plant companion talks, but one plant companion talk is enough when you're going to a plant convention, IMO. Unfortunately the AGA often has to rely on a fish club to host the event, and that can mean more fish stuff. Despite the Rainbow talks in 2024, that convention was excellent. Dennis gave some short talks in addition to his main talk. He might could be at this one as well. Just not as a main speaker? Honestly, for me, much of the convention is about the social and plant friends more so than the talks.

 

[ElleDee]

Ivan Mikolji's talk is specifically on the flora of the Orinoco, so that one is plant-focused as well.

 

[techman81]

In THIS list, the only ones that don't look, to me, to be plant or plant related are Randy Carey and Ivan Mikolji. Mikolji's talk is on the Orinoco river, so I guess that could be fish and plants. David Chow is going to do an aquascaping demo. Those are always interesting. I agree, they usually are more plant heavy, and I also don't want to fly to Cali for fish talks. The last one had 2 fish talks and one of them was the main keynote address. They both were about blue eyed rainbows. So actually good plant companion talks, but one plant companion talk is enough when you're going to a plant convention, IMO. Unfortunately the AGA often has to rely on a fish club to host the event, and that can mean more fish stuff. Despite the Rainbow talks in 2024, that convention was excellent. Dennis gave some short talks in addition to his main talk. He might could be at this one as well. Just not as a main speaker? Honestly, for me, much of the convention is about the social and plant friends more so than the talks.

Doh! I was on the AGA FB page and saw a post about an additional speaker and clicked on it, assuming it was the convention, when it was actually something entirely different, focused on aquarium fish.

 

[BenB]

Doh! I was on the AGA FB page and saw a post about an additional speaker and clicked on it, assuming it was the convention, when it was actually something entirely different, focused on aquarium fish.

Haha... it happens to the best of us. I'm looking forward to it. I'm having trouble finding a flight that doesn't suck or cost too much

 

[Jeff Miotke]

I wont be there. Cost is too high. Threw my name in the proverbial hat again to be a speaker or work my way there. For the fifth time in a row now no luck. Maybe if I move out of country I would be considered ?Going to miss seeing everyone.

 

[Dennis Wong]

I'll be going ~ Going to see one Mr Thomas Barr~