2026 Theme: Transforming the Aquarium Industry: Data, Technology and Retail Innovation

This year’s programme focuses on the forces reshaping the aquarium sector and the businesses leading that transformation.

Across three afternoons, delegates will hear from international speakers covering global trade, regional market outlooks, retail excellence, new commercial species, artificial intelligence, social media, digital marketplaces, sustainable farming and innovation in aquarium production and retail.

Click here for the conference program

Session 1: The Global Aquarium Industry - Markets, Regulation and Industry Direction

Thursday 12 November 2026: 1330 to 1730

The convention opens with the official opening ceremony and the keynote address from OFI President Shane Willis. The session then gives a high-level view of the global aquarium industry: where trade is heading, the regulations shaping it, and what is happening in the world's key markets.

Topics include:

• Keynote: the state of the global aquarium industry in 2026, covering trade, markets and the forces reshaping our industry
• Global regulatory update: emerging policies shaping the aquarium industry
• China: trends, innovation and future growth in the aquarium market
• USA: innovation, retail and the digital marketplace
• Europe: current market developments and what EU regulatory trends mean for exporters
• Live panel discussion on the future of global aquarium trade

This session will provide delegates with an essential understanding of the market forces, policy settings and regional trends shaping the aquarium industry.

Session 2: Aquarium Retail Excellence and Commercial Innovation - Business Models that Work

Friday 13 November 2026: 1330 to 1730

Retail is one of the most important parts of the aquarium industry — and one of the areas undergoing the greatest change.

This session will showcase leading aquarium retail businesses and explore the models, ideas and customer experiences driving successful stores around the world.

The session will also introduce two new award initiatives:

OFI Aquarium Retail Excellence Award:

Recognising outstanding innovation, business development, customer experience and retail excellence in the aquarium industry.

OFI Emerging Aquatic Species Award:

Recognising new aquarium fish, invertebrates, corals, aquatic plants and other commercial varieties with strong market potential.

Topics include:

• Retail excellence and the key drivers of change in Europe, Korea, China and India
• The future of aquarium retail: digital, customer experience and partnership
• How aquascaping has transformed the aquarium market
• Lifestyle retail and building an aquatic lifestyle business
• Breeding new varieties for retail, from butterfly koi to aquatic plants
• Social media and the digital customer experience
• Live panel discussion on what makes a successful aquarium retailer

This session is designed to provide practical insights that retailers, wholesalers, manufacturers and suppliers can apply in their own businesses.