Fragniappe

Fragniappe is a one of a kind annual event for the Gulf Coast providing a venue for marine and reef hobbyists to meet fellow enthusiasts, interact directly with renowned vendors, learn through information exchange and unique presentations, see new products, and purchase great livestock and dry goods! One of the primary goals of Fragniappe, along with Bayou Reefkeeping, is to educate the public with the latest information in the marine and reef hobby so that hobbyists can better care for their tanks and livestock. For instance, Bayou Reefkeeping actively promotes coral propagation, monthly learning workshops, and educational presentations. Many of the booth exhibitors participating in Fragniappe have extensive coral propagation facilities and also reach out to their local communities to educate and assist with the hobby.

The Gulf Coast has a high density of marine and reef hobbyists and until Fragniappe has never had an annual event. Hosted in the metropolitan area of one of the country's top destination cities, New Orleans, Fragniappe aims to provide both exhibitors and attendees with an enjoyable experience before, during, and after the event! There are numerous local reef clubs within an eight hour drive of the event. As such, we are making every effort to leverage these resources by advertising the event to the region. Examples of these efforts include flyers in retail locations, promotional brochures, posting event info and regular updates on reef club sites, and email marketing.

In addition to catering to hobbyists and exhibitors, Fragniappe is also an educational conference. As a member club of MASNA, Bayou Reefkeeping participates in the MASNA Speaks guest speaker program. Fragniappe will have multiple guest speakers doing presentations during the event. Additionally there will be concessions, raffle drawings, workshops, and other entertainment provided to help keep people around throughout the day. We fully intend to provide everyone with a well-rounded experience that enhances each and every hobbyist’s skillset.

Our venue, the Northshore Harbor Center, is a beautifully spacious 45,000 square-foot facility and home to nearly 200 events annually. Located at the crossroads of three interstate highways with easy access to more than 1,400 hotel rooms, the Northshore Harbor Center is an ideal location. Strategically built on the shores of Lake Pontchartrain, surrounded by lush tropical landscaping, the center provides the perfect backdrop for a successful and memorable event. Get all of the benefits of being near a big city, but in the relaxed and safe environment of the Northshore.