CONCHOLOGISTS OF AMERICA TO HOLD THEIR 47TH ANNUAL MEETING ON CAPTIVA ISLAND, JUNE 17 THROUGH JUNE 23, 2019
The Conchologists of America, the largest organization for people with an interest in Seashells, the Ocean, or Marine life, will be held at South Seas Plantation Island Resort, Captiva Island. This week long convention includes field trips to places of interest in the area, a Welcome reception at the Bailey Matthews National Shell Museum, plus programs, silent and oral auctions, a Snail Parade Contest for Best Snail of the Show, Piano Concert featuring original music by Silvard Kool, with seashell themes, at the opening Reception dinner, and a live simulcast from London, England by Wolfgang Grulke, noted authority on fossil and prehistoric shells, plus a tour of shell artifacts from the speakers own Museum.
This will be the 48th annual meeting, and will be a celebration of Dr. R. Tucker Abbott on the occasion of his 100th Birthday. Tucker was to shellers as Audubon was to birders. He was the force behind the Bailey Matthews National Shell Museum on Sanibel, was the first director, but did not live long enough to see the completion of his dream.
The meeting concludes on Saturday June 22 and 23, with the Largest Shell Market ever held, and is open to the public to come and buy . Hours are Saturday 1:00 pm till 8:00 pm and on Sunday from 9:00 am till 2:00 pm. Parking is free and there is no admission charge. This is held at the Convention Center as you first drive into South Seas on the right.
You do not have to be a member of the Conchologists of America to attend this meeting, and registration information is available on the Conchologists website.
To learn more about this organization, visit the website at Conchologistsofamerica.org.
Anne Joffe
COA Convention Chair