MACNA 2026: What to Expect at the Largest Reef Conference

MACNA (Marine Aquarium Conference of North America) returns in 2026 as the premier gathering for reef enthusiasts, vendors, and researchers.\n\nWhat to expect:\n- 100+ vendor booths with exclusive show pricing\n- Live coral and fish sales from top propagators\n- Expert speaker panels on husbandry, breeding, and conservation\n- Equipment demos from major brands\n- Frag swap events with rare corals\n\nNotable speakers historically include:\n- Julian Sprung (marine aquarium author)\n- Jake Adams (Reef Builders editor)\n- Dr. Sanjay Joshi (lighting research)\n- Vincent Chalias (coral taxonomy)\n\nTips for attending:\n1. Register early for workshop sessions\n2. Bring coolers with battery-powered air pumps for coral purchases\n3. Budget $200-500+ for livestock and gear\n4. Attend evening social events for networking\n5. Book hotel early—rooms near the venue sell out fast\n\nPast MACNA events have drawn 3,000-5,000 attendees from across North America.