Join us for the first GREAT LAKES FISH SWAP on January 31-February 1, 2026 at the Crowne Plaza Milwaukee South!
This 2-Day Event has something for every aquarium hobbyist – freshwater and saltwater!
There will be a swap each day with local, regional and national vendors.
Swap Hours: 1/31 1:00PM-5:00PM (VIP ENTRY 12:00PM) 2/1 11:00AM-3:00PM (VIP ENTRY 10:00AM)
Speakers: Chris “The Mad Aquarist” Biggs (Winnipeg, Canada), Kenneth Nguyen of Worlds Within (Dallas, Texas), Amanda “The Macro Lady” Tamillo (Wisconsin) plus special Q&A with Troy from Cichlid Bros (separate ticket required for Troy – add for $5 and receive a $5 concessions voucher to use during social hour). Detailed Speaker Information
Kids Area with live animal presentations by J&R Aquatic Animal Rescue, crafts, coloring books by Fishroom Punks, scavenger hunt, temporary tattoos and more!
Silent Auction and Door Prizes, Concessions and more!
TICKETS
VIP 2-Day Ticket – Includes 1 hour early entry to the swap both days, entry to 3 speaker events, VIP lanyard and option to pre-order VIP Only T-Shirt. ADULT (Age 13+): Pre-sale $30 until January 15, starting January 16 $40 CHILD (Age 5-12): $5 (Age 4 & under): FREE ****FIRST 50 Adult tickets purchased – receive a free cooler bag! ADD TO YOUR CART WITH YOUR TICKET***
General Admission: Single Day Ticket, includes general admission to the Swap on Saturday or Sunday. Online Ticket Prices through January 30: ADULT (Age 13+): $5 CHILD (Age 5-12): $3 CHILD (Age 4 & under): FREE
Ticket Prices at the Door: Adult $6, $1 discount for cash purchase, Child $4, $1 discount for cash purchase.
SPEAKER EVENTS Detailed Speaker Information
VIP Ticket includes up to 3 speaker events per ticket.
General Admission Ticket – Add-on Speaker Events for a small fee: $5/1, $8/2, and 3 or more for $3.33 each.
SOCIAL HOUR plus Q&A with Troy Holler from Cichlid Bros
Hang out with all of your fish friends and make some new ones! Ask Troy all of your burning questions about cichlid keeping, his YouTube channel and more. This is an add-on ticket with your VIP or General Admission swap ticket – $5. All paid social hour tickets receive a $5 concessions voucher for social hour.
MERCHANDISE View Pre-Order Options
VIP T-Shirt (available with VIP Ticket only) $25
Standard T-Shirt $18
Aquatic Life T-Shirt $18 Youth/Toddler – $25 Adult Crewneck and Women’s V-Neck
Order shirts when ordering your swap ticket – pick up at the event. If you need a size that is not listed, want your shirt sooner, or have any other questions, email milwaukeeaquariumsociety@gmail.com.
LODGING
Make a Weekend of it! Rooms are available for only $99 – use the Milwaukee Aquarium Society Booking Link or Call (866) 663-4577 and request the room block for Milwaukee Aquarium Society Swap & Conference 2026
IMPORTANT TICKETING NOTES
If you encounter an error or problem during checkout – please email milwaukeeaquariumsociety@gmail.com or message Milwaukee Aquarium Society on Facebook.
VIP Adult Tickets – First Name and Last Name are required for your VIP lanyard
Please add milwaukeeaquariumsociety@gmail.com to your address book before purchasing tickets. We recommend either downloading or adding your tickets to your Apple Wallet from the checkout page. If you don’t save your tickets, and don’t receive an email, as long as you receive a PayPal confirmation, we are able to look up your tickets. We can look them up at the event, or if you want them in advance, please email us and we will send them on a time available basis (if you are emailing in the last few days before the event, we may not be able to get to your request prior to the event).
All ticket purchases, including any applicable fees, are not refundable for any reason including but not limited to inclement weather or event cancellation. Events will be rescheduled whenever possible. Scheduled events and activities, including speakers, are subject to change without notice. Milwaukee Aquarium Society reserves the right to remove any participant or deny entry without refund for violating event or facility rules or policies.