OVAS will be at the Ottawa Pet Expo!

[Fishnut]

OVAS has secured a booth at next month's Ottawa Pet Expo!!  We'll be there for 2 days sharing and talking and showing off some of the beautiful fish we keep.

http://www.caneastshows.ca/ottawa-pet-expo

That being said, we're reaching out to our members and on-line users to help.  Since we have an amazing opportunity to get out into the public and share, we want to set up some fantastic display tanks.  This is where you can help.  We're looking to borrow aquariums with the appropriate filters, heaters, lights and stands as well as driftwood, plants, rocks, gravel, backgrounds and even some fish!  The aquariums and stands are going to have to look as new as possible due to the nature of the event.

The exec is in the process of figuring out what we have available to borrow as we wait to find out how much space we'll be given for the show (non-profits get a booth at a significant discount but we get whatever space is left over).

If you have something to loan or would like to volunteer your time, please post it here or PM myself or sylros.  

[Fishnut]

We'll be in Booth 505, which is just around the corner from the entrance.  Come out and show your club support!  Memberships will be available to purchase as well as the club shirts and a raffle!

Final details will be ironed out tonight!

[Nerine]

Exciting!!!!!

[Stussi613]

We're hoping to see some of our friends from OVAS at the pet expo this weekend!

Make sure you drop by booth 505 and check out the display tanks we set up tonight...



Special thanks to Charlie, Shawn84, Fishnut, Sylros (and hubby), Ajm1961 and Limmer for bringing tanks, plants and livestock and spending a few hours setting everything up!!

[76brian]

Nice work!

[charlie]

Nice work!

I`d say so myself  , a few finishing touches this morning & we are good to go.

[Hookup]

Great job guys & gals.

[exv152]

Great idea to be at the pet expo, gives the hobby good exposure.

[NjOyRiD]

the tanks were very nice!

[charlie]

Day 1 was just great,our goal of club & hobby exposure was met & then some, big thanks to the hard working execs. that spent the entire day answering numerous questions about the club & hobby.
The traffic was crazy busy from 10.00 until 2-3, then things slowed down some, we met quite a few OVASers & even had a great chat with a former VP of the club years ago, who still reads the forums , he was very happy to see the club having a presence their.
One more day to go.
Regards

[Nerine]

GREAT exposure for the club Kudos to everyone who has made this possible!!!!! Very happy to see the club at the expo!

It was very crowded this morning but we managed to look around! Had the tot in tow and he realllly liked the pigs haha he also wanted to know how come we didn't come home with a dog hehe

[sas]

Excellent job  .
Look at that next generation of hobbyists in the second pic.

[fischkopp]

Good job everyone!

[sylros]

An Amazing day! Unbelievable the number of people and pets that were there today. We could hardly move! Awesome exposure for the club, and we were able to help quite a few people with their tanks.

The cream of the crop was having met the aquarium keeper of the casino which was the OVAS VP in 1985 or so. He is still an enthusiast and has done quite a bit for the aquarium hobby in general.

AND he is local to us! We also met another marine biologist who told us about his projects and experience. He used to do some talks.

All in all, a very successful day! Thanks so much for those who stopped by! Cannot wait to see what tomorrow brings!

[charlie]

Well after another long day at Petexpo including the tear down & packing etc, we are very happy to report that OVAS accomplished it`s goal of education & awareness of our  hobby the side benefit was that OVAS got a ton of exposure to a large amount of aquarium keepers/hobbyist that never knew there was a organized club that caters to their hobby in their own backyard.
It was refreshing to talk to parents that have some form of aquatic life in their home & some were totally excited to know OVAS exist, to this end we will be looking at having a kiddies corner on our forum for these young hobbyist & also organized events for them.
I would like to take this opportunity to thank each & every one that made this the huge success it was.
I also want to say  thanks to all who stopped by to say hello & congratulate us on the effort put forward.
Regards Charlie/Errol

[daworldisblack]

Great to hear all went well!

[charlie]

Great to hear all went well!

Thanks Rah, we all left there happy knowing OVAS had outdone itself, even the kids were a breath of fresh air to chat with .
Errol

[charlie]

One of the marine biologist that chatted with us made my day when he said a nicley planted tank is the best looking tank for him, i knew i was on to something 

[sas]

One of the marine biologist that chatted with us made my day when he said a nicley planted tank is the best looking tank for him, i knew i was on to something 

Nice, I have to agree as well, but it doesn't have to be "nicely planted", can it not be a forest , or maybe a jungle  .

[sidarnold]

As a new club member I had an informative time Saturday early afternoon talking to Errol, Shawn and Sylvie at the club booth. Much interesting info and tips provided. I spent my entire time at the booth while my girlfriend checked out the dog-related stuff. I'm a former fish biologist with an interest in the captive care of native fresh-water stream fish and I hope to attend the November meeting. It was good meeting the three of you and I look forward to further discussions. Thanks. Sid.