PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE - NOVEMBER 2025
Hi everyone!
Well, to say we have been busy at the club this month would be very true. The 75th Birthday Bash and CAOAC Convention is this weekend. It’s been a pleasure getting to work with the Convention Committee preparing an event such as this. Our records show this is the 7th convention in our 75 years. Many H&DAS members will be representing the club and we hope you have a great weekend. For others there is a vendors area and Biotope and Aquascaping Competitions if you would like to visit. Speaker tickets are still available $85.
The Fall Auction is on Sun Nov 16. Doors open at 8am and auction starts at 10am at the Burlington Holiday Inn. So come bring your auction items or buy some fish. We received lots of donations too for this auction. And there will be Aquascape tanks in a Silent Auction.
We thank Discus Dan from Wiseman Aquatics for his presentation at our Oct meeting. This month our presenter is Norbert Lee - breeding African Cichlids. Our Dec 11 will feature the Neighbour to Neighbour Food Drive, (non perishable items) table raffle, (if you have a raffle item to donate it would be appreciated).
All money raised will be matched by the club so cash is best. We will have pizza and wings.
See you at the meeting!
Carla
Hamilton and District Aquarium Society’s
75th Birthday Bash and Auction
Celebrate 75 incredible years of aquatic passion with the Hamilton & District Aquarium Society at our 75th Birthday Bash and CAOAC Convention, November 14–16, 2025, at the Burlington Holiday Inn, Burlington.
The weekend kicks off Friday at 4pm with check-in, followed by the official opening ceremony at 7pm where you’ll meet our exciting lineup of guest speakers. The first presentation begins at 7:30pm and a second presentation at 8:45pm. Prepare for a full day of learning and inspiration with talks starting at 9am, featuring renowned names like Marcus Nicholls, Dean Baayens, Jacqueline Heijmen Bennett-Leaver, Eric Bodrock, and Regina Spotti. Between talks, enjoy exploring the vendor area, admiring entries in the 5th Canadian Biotope Competition and Aquascape Contest, and networking with fellow hobbyists. The day wraps up with a cocktail hour at 6 PM, a buffet dinner at 7pm a prize draw, raffles, 50/50 and an evening presentation at 8:45 PM. For night owls, the hospitality suite will be open for socializing and fun.
Sunday morning begins with final aquascape judging before the public auction at 10:00AM, open to everyone—so bring your wish lists!
For information on our Aquascape Contest and Aquatic filled weekend please visit our website (hdas.ca)
Hope to see you at the meeting!
Carla
The Hamilton & District Aquarium Society 75th Birthday Bash and CAOAC Convention will be taking place Fri Nov 14 thru Sun Nov 16 at the Burlington Holiday Inn.
Speakers:
Friday:
Sunday: Full Auction
Please visit our website for information on our 75th Birthday Bash, purchase tickets, hotel information. www.hdas.ca
Have a great summer!
Carla
[email protected]
Hi everyone!
Well, to say we have been busy at the club this month would be very true. The 75th Birthday Bash and CAOAC Convention is this weekend. It’s been a pleasure getting to work with the Convention Committee preparing an event such as this. Our records show this is the 7th convention in our 75 years. Many H&DAS members will be representing the club and we hope you have a great weekend. For others there is a vendors area and Biotope and Aquascaping Competitions if you would like to visit. Speaker tickets are still available $85.
The Fall Auction is on Sun Nov 16. Doors open at 8am and auction starts at 10am at the Burlington Holiday Inn. So come bring your auction items or buy some fish. We received lots of donations too for this auction. And there will be Aquascape tanks in a Silent Auction.
We thank Discus Dan from Wiseman Aquatics for his presentation at our Oct meeting. This month our presenter is Norbert Lee - breeding African Cichlids. Our Dec 11 will feature the Neighbour to Neighbour Food Drive, (non perishable items) table raffle, (if you have a raffle item to donate it would be appreciated).
All money raised will be matched by the club so cash is best. We will have pizza and wings.
See you at the meeting!
Carla
Hamilton and District Aquarium Society’s
75th Birthday Bash and Auction
Celebrate 75 incredible years of aquatic passion with the Hamilton & District Aquarium Society at our 75th Birthday Bash and CAOAC Convention, November 14–16, 2025, at the Burlington Holiday Inn, Burlington.
The weekend kicks off Friday at 4pm with check-in, followed by the official opening ceremony at 7pm where you’ll meet our exciting lineup of guest speakers. The first presentation begins at 7:30pm and a second presentation at 8:45pm. Prepare for a full day of learning and inspiration with talks starting at 9am, featuring renowned names like Marcus Nicholls, Dean Baayens, Jacqueline Heijmen Bennett-Leaver, Eric Bodrock, and Regina Spotti. Between talks, enjoy exploring the vendor area, admiring entries in the 5th Canadian Biotope Competition and Aquascape Contest, and networking with fellow hobbyists. The day wraps up with a cocktail hour at 6 PM, a buffet dinner at 7pm a prize draw, raffles, 50/50 and an evening presentation at 8:45 PM. For night owls, the hospitality suite will be open for socializing and fun.
Sunday morning begins with final aquascape judging before the public auction at 10:00AM, open to everyone—so bring your wish lists!
For information on our Aquascape Contest and Aquatic filled weekend please visit our website (hdas.ca)
Hope to see you at the meeting!
Carla
The Hamilton & District Aquarium Society 75th Birthday Bash and CAOAC Convention will be taking place Fri Nov 14 thru Sun Nov 16 at the Burlington Holiday Inn.
Speakers:
- Marcus Nicholls
- Dean Baayens
- Jacqueline Heijman Bennett-Leaver
- Eric Bodrock
- Bonus Speaker - Regina Spotti
Friday:
- 4:00 pm to 7:00pm - Welcome, check in guests
- Vendor Area
- 7:00 pm - opening of Convention, meet the speakers
- 7:30 pm - speaker presentation
- 8:30 pm - speaker presentation
- 10:00 pm - hospitality suite - mingle
- speakers at: 9:00 am, 10:15 am, 11:30 am, lunch, 1:30 pm, 2:45 pm, 4:00 pm
- 8:30 am - 5:00 pm - Aquascape Competition
- 10:00 am - 5:00 pm - 5th Canadian Biotope Competition
- 6:00 - pm cocktails
- 6:45 pm - dinner buffet
- 8:00 pm - presentations,draws, 50/50 presidents table draw
- 8:45 pm - dinner speaker
- 10:00 pm - hospitality suite
Sunday: Full Auction
- 8:30 am - auction doors open
- 10:30 am - Auction starts - Fall Auction rules apply - click here for info
- 11:00 am - Aquascape Judging
- Announcement of Winners
Please visit our website for information on our 75th Birthday Bash, purchase tickets, hotel information. www.hdas.ca
Have a great summer!
Carla
[email protected]
