I am presently at the ALA convention, being held this year at Cleveland, and presently tentatively scheduled next year for Fort Lauderdale, Florida. This year we have had several very good speakers including Dr. Reznick who gave a very informative lecture on his research, during our awards dinner, on his life history research projects. It revolves, to a large degree, around his experiments in the Caribbean over the last few decades on how "life history" of the fish in a natural environment affect the behaviors, size and fecundity of guppies in those environments. If, like me, you are fascinated by the affects of environment on fish behavior and actual physical characteristics, his research information would intrigue you. Thinking about what his present results means can lead you to ask questions that might never have occurred to you before.
Another aspect of any national convention is that it means you will be challenged on every point that you consider sacrosanct at a local club level. If I were a killie breeder with some success, I would be presented with actual data that might or might not support my own perspectives. Such a connection with larger groups is irreplaceable. I happen to be a livebearer specialist, so my own perspective has much to do with livebearer health and reproduction. Cichlid owners and other groups are likely faced with similar questions and concerns.
Another aspect of any national convention is that it means you will be challenged on every point that you consider sacrosanct at a local club level. If I were a killie breeder with some success, I would be presented with actual data that might or might not support my own perspectives. Such a connection with larger groups is irreplaceable. I happen to be a livebearer specialist, so my own perspective has much to do with livebearer health and reproduction. Cichlid owners and other groups are likely faced with similar questions and concerns.
