Just go for the raffle
Reefapalooza California 2026
- Thread starter Djrice
- Start date
ndrwater
Yea... I did a thing...
Go anyway... Talking about how much has changed in 10 years, you won't recognize RAP...
RAP is now THE show for manufacturers and coral sellers alike.
You will learn more in a weekend at RAP than you thought would be possible.
And then there is the fun and hanging qith other Reefers part... This is definitely NOT RAP from the old days.....
bustayanky
Member
Does SCMAS validate parking? I heard something like that last year after the fact. Can someone from SCMAS confirm?
Haha I can't go without purchasing a bunch of things. Cant see all the fine coral and just walk on by. I still technically did not get totally out. After I sold my old house and moved, I set up a evo 13.5g and actually had some of my blastomussas and sunburst anemones in there but kept them at school where I teach and just did not really stay on top of the reefing community. All these years I just did basic water changes and feeding (living under a rock). Seven anemones later, the wife says lets do something again at home for a display and here I am. But, I may still swing by. I just set up my UNS R75 and getting back into it all is bringing back a lot of memories.
^Yeah, it's a shock how much the hobby has changed from prices to technology. For sure, it has optimized ways to extract money from your account. But old school reefers know how to save and get good deals. RAP will be a good test for your self discipline.
Old school reefers also like new toys.
REPOWER
0
Curious why the venue changed from the OC Fair Grounds years ago. That is what I remember being the first venue I went to. Took a long break after that time so just was wondering why it changed from that location if anyone knows.
ndrwater
Yea... I did a thing...
Reefapalooza outgrew the fairgrounds...
Boooooooo!
If there is a motivated and funded person, something like the oc fair grounds can happen again. I’ve spoken to many vendors who prefer that model.
ndrwater
Yea... I did a thing...
The Fairgrounds is a terrific spot for a large frag swap. The issue was with the increase in major manufacturers attending and the need for them to have the space they required, the fairgrounds just didn't work any more.
I totally get the nostalgia for the old RAP, but that ship sailed a long time ago. MACNA was dying even back then and the need for something more than a swap was real. It was a logical next step.
I agree that the parking is a major PIA at the hotels, but there isn't any other places large enough. The Marriott and Hilton are the largest rooms in the county that aren't private or are named the Anaheim Convention Center...
Every year (when I was doing what I did) i would have the Convention Center rep hit me up and ask when we would come talk to them.. the issue with them was they were WAAAAAAY more expensive.
One thing most people dont realize is the cost of the room itself is well into the high 5 figures. We would offset the cost of the venue with "room night" sales. If enough room nights were sold, we were able to offset the cost of the venue itself to a point that the show remained "profitable".. Having the major manufacturers helped this immensely becaue they are all over the country/world...
Trust me when I say RAP is a major undertaking.. Over a year in planning for the next show and contracts signed 2-3 years out....
Fairgrounds shows WILL happen again, but not a "Reefapalooza" in its current form...
I just remember that being such a blast back in the day. Wonder how much it really is compared to the hotel thing. Doesn’t the fairgrounds have a bunch of buildings? I would think they’d be able to fit the show but what do I know. Good memories back then.
I specified motivated and funded person could do something like oc fair grounds. Rap is rap. No one is changing that.
ndrwater
Yea... I did a thing...
RAP is STILL super fun... Just bigger.. and different..
While the fairgrounds does indeed have many buildings, the bigger issue is hotel space and more importantly, being IN the hotel space. Vendors didn't like having to drive to some well off site smaller hotel to come to RAP. Keep in mind, many of the vendors aren't from here. Having everyone under one roof was advantageous for everyone involved with the show..
It would be hard to understand unless you have seen what RAP has become... 3 cities (sometimes 4) and thousands upon thousands of attendees.
Not trying to be a sales guy for RAP, just sharing my experiences as being part of the group who put it on both before and after the fairgrounds..
I don't do that anymore, just trying to explain the why...
ndrwater
Yea... I did a thing...
Last I heard, that where they keep Aquashella
La pet fairLast I heard, that where they keep Aquashella
