Hi Everyone,
In case anyone has been away, hasn't been focusing, or is otherwise disengaged from current club happenings, here are some things to note:
THERE IS NO REGULAR MONTHLY OCTOBER MEETING. Don't come to Green Acres the first Saturday of the month. No one will be there because everyone will be too busy getting ready for CatCon.
The Catfish Convention is Friday and Saturday, October 7 & 8 at the Hyatt Regency Dulles. No self-respecting fishkeeper will miss the Spree on Three Friday night or the banquet on Saturday night. A little birdie told me that the hotel hasn't shut down the room reservations at the convention rate yet. It was supposed to end on 9/14. It might be possible to slip in if you don't fancy drinking and then driving late at night. If you come to your senses and realize you need a room reservation, go to the CatCon Venue web page and follow the link. Hopefully it will still give you the convention rate.
THE AUCTION WILL BE AT THE HYATT REGENCY DULLES ON SUNDAY, OCT 9. Hyatt has built many new properties in the Herndon/Reston area, and an internet search can yield confusing results because the newer properties show up first. Here's the correct hotel and address: Hyatt Regency Dulles
2300 Dulles Corner Blvd. Herndon, Virginia
If you've been snoozing, you might have missed the fact that the Hyatt is now charging for parking. Michael negotiated free parking for convention hotel guests, so if you're staying at the hotel parking will be free.
SELLERS SHOULD ENTER ITEMS INTO MY GROUP AUCTIONS STARTING NOW. Email blasts are going to start going out. When that happens, people navigate to MGA to see what enticing fish, shrimp, or plants might get them out of their warm beds and open their wallets. If MGA is empty, bidders won't come and sellers will be disappointed. You get the picture. The best advertisement for an All-Day Auction is a bursting-at-the-seams MGA. So even if you don't know exactly how many of what you are planning to sell, start entering them now. (Many thanks to Jacob Waters for getting the MGA ball rolling.)
Ever sit at an auction and notice that the lowliest worm or snail will garner a high price if there's a great picture? The description you provide, the picture you attach, and the quality of your bagging all make a difference in the perceived desirability and quality of what you're selling. Just some food for thought.
If we are there just for the day (conference or auction), do we need to pay for parking? The other email says "Outdoor self-parking is $10.00 per night."