RIA Congress: Bringing the Iberian Aquarist Community Together
October 20, 2025
This past weekend, the RIA Congress – the Iberian Aquarist Meeting – brought together aquarists, specialist retailers, customers, and industry professionals, including staff from public aquariums, for a weekend of learning, networking, and inspiration.
The event was a resounding success, fostering a strong sense of community within the aquarist world. Attendees enjoyed a wide range of engaging talks covering topics such as aquaristics, conservation, and biotopes, alongside guided tours of the Oceanogràfic, which were highly appreciated.
Our team had the opportunity to connect with numerous shops — both existing customers and potential new partners. While the majority focused on freshwater aquariums, some also worked with marine setups. Many hobbyists provided positive feedback about Hikari, with some shops actively recommending it to others, highlighting the brand’s growing popularity. There was also interest in exploring additional TMC products, such as Reef Flows, Optical Autotop, and Biomes, among retailers.
The congress reinforced Tropical Marine Centre’s position as a leading aquarist brand in Spain, showcasing our support for industry events and strengthening our presence within the community. With around 80% of attendees already known to our team, interactions were both natural and productive, allowing for meaningful discussions with other sales representatives from top brands sold in Spain.
In summary, the RIA Congress was a fantastic opportunity to unite the Iberian aquarist community, foster new connections, and explore exciting opportunities. We look forward to seeing the positive impact of these interactions in the months ahead.
