2026-06-12 AKA Annual Convention

The AKA 2026 Convention will be held in St. Louis, MO June 12 – 14, 2026.

The AKA convention is the national killifish event of the year. It is held in different cities each year, depending on which affiliate club successfully bids to host it. This event is attended by killifish enthusiasts from all over the US, Canada and from other countries. It starts on the Friday evening, with talks on Friday and Saturday. There is a show in which many species of killifish, ranging from the common to the very rare, are there for display and for judging.

On Sunday the big auction takes place, with hundreds of pairs of killifish, including all those in the show, are for sale. If you want to see and acquire killies, this is the place to do it! But most of all, this is a wonderful opportunity to socialize with fellow killie enthusiasts.

Hosted by St Louis Area Killifish Association (SLAKA) and Missouri Aquarium Society Incorporated (MASI)

Convention features:
5 Speakers & Workshops, 4 Field Trips, 16 Class Fish Show, Huge Vendor Room, Friendly Hospitality Room, Awards Banquet, both Fish Auction and SWAP/Box Sales!

2026 Program:
●Frans Vermeulen: Twice: Killifish of South America & Running my Fishroom
●Michi Tobler, PhD: Fish Ecology, Evolution and Conservation
●Brendan Tubbs: Rice Fish and Tubbing
●Andrej Spec, MD: Propagating aquarium plants for Killifish
●Mike Hellweg: Cultivating live foods for Killifish Collecting Trips & Tours
● Thurs, June 11 Fundulus zebrinus Collecting*
● Fri, June 12 Tobler Fish Lab
● Fri, June 12 MultiFishroom Visit
● Mon, June 15 MO Natives Collecting*

SHOW Classes:
1: New World Non-Annuals
2: Rivulus
3: South American
Annuals
4: Nothobranchius
5: Fundulopanchax,
omitting Paraphysemion
6: Fundulopanchax, only
Paraphysemion
7: Blue Gularis
8: Mesoaphyosemion,
omitting Calliurium types
9: Mesaphyosemion, only
Calliurium types
10: Chromaphyosemion
11: Archiaphysemion,
Scriptsemion &
Nimbopanchax
12: Aphyosemion, & All
Others
13: Epiplatys
14: All Other Old World
15: Matched Breeding Pairs
16: Digital Photography

MAILING SHOW ENTRIES
Register Show fish after January 1 using the early fish registration program on the AKA web site. Late submissions may also be registered when fish arrive with you at the convention.

Ship to:
Jack Heller
14212 Trailtop Drive
Chesterfield, MO 63017
Phone: 314-576-5111
Email: hellerjackl@aol.com

All mail-ins must be received by Wednesday, June 11, 2026. The list of fish and contact info MUST be included in the shipping container and also included in an Email to Jack providing him the Container tracking information.

Display tanks are generally 2 gallon Critter Keepers – larger tanks will be found for the occasional oversized fish.

Show Site & Hotel Rooms
Holiday Inn Airport West
3400 Rider Trail South
Earth City, MO 63045

Guest Amenities: Include breakfast buffet, indoor pool, exercise room, bar and restaurant. The room rate is $135 + tax for a King or 2 Queen beds when mentioning the AKA Convention. Call 314-291-6800 or use their website to make reservations. Limited Rooms with AKA Rate so RESERVE EARLY.

Free Shuttle to/from the St. Louis Airport provided by the Hotel.

Convention Registration
● Adult – Before May 1 = $50
● Adult – After May 1 = $65
● Juvenile, 12-16 yr = $20
● Each Collecting* Trip/Tour = $10
(*Collecting Trip requires MO Fishing Permit, $9/day, found at MO WalMart or online)
● Awards Banquet TBD, see website: www.aka.org

Convention Sponsorships!
Sponsor Level:
● Show Class Sponsor – $100
● Speaker Sponsor – $50
● Convention Donor – $25
● Gold $1,000 Product or $500 Cash
● Silver $500 Product or $250 Cash
● Bronze $250 Product or $125 Cash

Commit Sponsorships before May 1 for appropriate Gratis Registration and Convention advertising!

Other Offerings
● Swap Day Table $25
● T-Shirt: Child, Adult, Manly $TBD Watch Website
● Convention Booklet AD
Full Page – $50
Half Page – $25