The William T. Innes Competition
Over the last couple of decades there was a decrease in the number of tropical fish societies that host a show, and a smaller number of fish entered into those shows. In an effort to generate interest in joining a local club, and in showing fish, the Northeast Council presented the first annual William T. Innes Competition at the 2008 NEC Convention.
Keeping the process as simple as possible, the Innes Award was linked to the NEC Show Competition that has been in place for many years. The competition is open to all members in good standing of any NEC member club, providing that club is in good standing with the Northeast Council.
Points earned from January through December for entries in any NEC member society show qualify NEC members for entrance into the annual NEC annual William T. Innes Award competition. The NEC member clubs provided their show results to the Exhibitor Competition Chairperson who then calculated the number of points for each show entrant in accordance with the point value of the Innes Award Competition. Participation in the show is by invitation only to participants placing in the top 20 in accumulated points earned from the local NEC society shows.
Three cash awards totaling $1,000 and a “winner’s cup” trophy are presented to the top three winners. All participants in the show receive a certificate acknowledging their participation in the William T. Innes competition. The awards are presented at the annual NEC convention. The Competition provides an opportunity for the NEC to host a small fish show at the annual convention.
Why the William T. Innes award? To some he is considered the “godfather” of the aquarium hobby in the first half of the 20th century. His original edition of Exotic Aquarium Fishes, published in 1935, has become known as the “aquarists’ bible”. The NEC believes it’s important to remember, and honor, the pioneer hobbyists who did so much to help today’s hobbyist – whether they are advanced fishkeepers, or just beginners!
Although having a show room with 20 fish tanks set up for viewing by the attendees generated a lot of excitement at the convention – we did not see any change in the number of people showing fish. However, in 2009 there was an increase in the number of NEC members traveling to their sister society clubs to enter fish into their local shows - in the hopes that they would be invited to compete in the 2010 Innes competition. So, for now, it appears that the competition is doing exactly what we wanted it to do.
Once again we will have twenty participants entering their fish in the Innes competition at the 2010 convention. Show entries will be set up on Friday afternoon through Saturday at noon. The room will be opened for public viewing during scheduled hours on Friday and Saturday - except for during the judging of the fish. Once again we will have a “People’s Choice” award, to be voted on by each convention registrant. The winners of the competition will be announced in the Vendor Room Saturday night following the banquet.
For additional information about this competition, please visit the NEC website at www.northeastcouncil.org, or contact
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.
Sponsors
Showing fish has been an integral part of the hobby for years. Shows introduce the public to the hobby, educate and creates enthusiasm for the fishkeeping hobby. To encourage showing fish, the NEC holds the annual Annual William T. Innes Competition at the 35th Convention. The NEC sincerely thanks the following for their generous support of this competition:
www.plecoworld.org
Click Here if you are interested in supporting the Innes Show Competition.
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