1996 was a project of the St. Petersburg Shell Club. Novices rub elbows here with world-famous experts. COA members, their guests and interested non-members come together for slide shows, talks and multimedia programs and exhibits as well as workshops and symposia of timely interest to collectors. Social events like a Welcome Party and a concluding Banquet round out the week. Two events that are eagerly anticipated by every veteran COA member are the Annual Shell Auction and the COA Bourse.
Excitement runs high as bargains are knocked down to the lucky bidders.
There is also a series of silent auctions running during program sessions. Money raised by the Auctions goes to the Grants Program and the COA publication, American Conchologist . Great rarities are for sale, side by side with the commonest of species. Comparison shopping, tremendous variety, and the opportunity to meet the shell dealers are three of the advantages of shopping at this amazing display of the molluscan treasures of water and land. Plan to attend the very next COA Convention .