Speakers Program

ACA Cichlid Speaker Program Sponsored by ZooMed Labs.

The American Cichlid Association believes the greatest asset to an aquarium society is the benefit received by the membership when a speaker gives a lecture at the monthly meeting. A live presentation by a speaker at a local meeting adds immensely to the enjoyment of the hobby and to further the knowledge of the attendees. The ACA, realizing the financial cost of bringing in an outside speaker, is proud to offer to our members the ACA Cichlid Speaker Program, sponsored by ZooMed Labs.

Basically, here’s how the program works. Choose your speaker from the list (below) of ACA sponsored speakers. The ACA will pay half of the round trip transportation for any of these speakers to attend your meeting with a maximum dollar amount of $200.00. You will be responsible for all additional expenses including lodging and meals.

After selecting your speaker you will need to contact them directly to arrange a convenient schedule. Once the date has been finalized, please contact the ACA Club Liaison.

It is imperative to get in touch with the Club Liaison because the ACA has set a limit of 10 total speaking engagements per year for the ACA Cichlid Speaker Program. The Club Liaison will post on the ACA forum a thread for reservations for speakers around the date of the annual ACA convention. Reservations can be made on the forum thread or by contacting the Club Liaison directly.

Once you have made your reservation you will need to follow these easy steps to complete the program.

1. Arrange transportation for your speaker.
2. We ask that you provide links to the Zoo Med website and ACA website on all club webpages, forums, or other promotional material for the speaker.
3. Provide an address to which promotional material such as goody bags from Zoo Med and Buntbarsche Bulletin (BB) copies can be sent to the club as promotions for the speaking engagement.
4. Have your speaker talk.
5. Submit a copy of the receipt for transportation to the Club Liaison afterwards. The Club Liaison will then arrange a reimbursement check from Zoo Med for your expenses.

All societies are limited to one annual participation.

The ACA would like to thank Zoo Med Labs for making this program possible!

Speakers available for this program:

Juan Miguel Artigas Azas Website: The Cichlid Room Companion Fish-related biography and offered talks can be found in his Cichlid Room Companion author page. Contact form.

Chris Biggs Chris’ talks are: The Mad Aquarist – an introspective look at my years as an aquarist; The Florida Experience – A nerds eye view; Going Big with Biggs – Chris’ many tips and tricks for long-term successful aquarium builds. Contact form

Pam Chin Fish-related biography and offered talks can be found in her Cichlid Room Companion author page. Contact form

Jim Cumming Fish-related biography and offered talks can be found in his Cichlid Room Companion author page. Contact form

Josh Cunningham Fish-related biography and offered talks can be found in his Cichlid Room Companion author page. Contact form

Peter George A tropical fish hobbyist for over 6 decades, I specialize in East Africa Rift Lake and Victorian cichlids. I’ve been involved with over 30 imports, from Africa and Europe, and continue to focus on bringing rare and unusual cichlids into the North American hobby community. I’m committed to conservation, both in nature and in the hobby community, and currently serve as the ACA CARES Coordinator and I am the CARES Specialist for East African waters except for Lakes Tanganyika and Malawi.

Willem Heijns Fish-related biography and offered talks can be found in his Cichlid Room Companion author page.

Spencer Jack Talks about Collecting in Uruguay, Gymnogeophagus of Uruguay, Collecting in Suriname, Collecting in Bolivia, Tropical Fish Farming in Florida, Tropical Fish Idol, and Confessions of a Cichlaholic V.2. Contact form.

Lawrence Kent Kent has several talks about collecting African Cichlid-related topics (see bio). Fish-related biography and offered talks can be found in his Cichlid Room Companion author page. Contact form.

Steve Lundblad Talks on Lake Malawi Travelogue and Aulonocara. Contact form.

Chuck Rambo Talks about Dwarf Cichlids, Lake Victoria Cichlids, Travels to Lake Malawi and Lake Tanganyika. Contact form.

Greg Steeves Talks about Lake Victoria (Past, Present, and Future), Exploring the Rio Comal (World’s shortest river), Haplochromine cichlids, Furu Compatibility, Lake Victoria C.A.R.E.S. Contact form.

Klaus Steinhaus Talks on Tropheus (Are they really that scary?) and Official Speaker for the C.A.R.E.S. Preservation Program. Contact form.

Jonathan Strazinsky Talks about breeding New World cichlids, DIY fish keeping, large catfish, cichlids in Florida. Contact form.

Rusty Wessel Fish-related biography and offered talks can be found in his Cichlid Room Companion author page. Contact form.

Jason Wilson A 13-year combat veteran who found fish is sharing his education and story by inspiring fish keepers old and new in these fun and informational talks. He brings a different approach with excitement and vigor that only he knows. Contact form.

Mike Wise Mike has given programs at ACA and BCA conventions, as well as to local, regional, and international fish clubs on the various aspects of collecting, identifying, keeping, and breeding dwarf cichlids. Contact form.

Contact

Contact representative for the ACA-Zoo Med Speakers Program.