Over the two-day event on September 26 and 27, ADA exhibited at Aqua Shella Chicago together with our U.S. distributor, Aqua Forest Aquarium. Aqua Shella, the final event of the year, was held in the Chicago suburbs, following the event in New Jersey two weeks earlier. More than 7,000 people attended over the two days. The venue featured a 200-year-old aquarium, while a variety of activities were continuously held on the stage, creating an enjoyable experience for visitors.

On the main stage, our Suikei Creator, Homma presented an Iwagumi layout. He explained the concepts of “Iwagumi” and “Wabi-sabi,” both of which are highly popular overseas. For many attendees, being able to listen to his explanations while seeing the actual layout in front of them helped deepen their understanding. The layout, which used exceptionally large stones to create a sense of movement in the aquascape, also attracted many questions about its concept during the Q&A session held the following day.

The full aquarium setup displayed at the ADA booth was also very well received, with some visitors even purchasing the ready-made display as it was. This was the first time ADA had exhibited at an event in the northeastern United States, including Chicago and New Jersey, giving visitors a rare opportunity to see our products in person. We received many positive reactions from visitors, and we believe we were able to directly convey the appeal of NATURE AQUARIUM to those experiencing it for the first time.

ADA has contributed articles to the U.S. aquarium magazine Tropical Fish Magazine for more than 20 years, yet many visitors at this event were encountering ADA and NATURE AQUARIUM for the first time. At the same time, we were delighted to meet so many passionate ADA fans in person. Many visitors actively approached us and expressed their appreciation, with many saying, “Thank you for coming to America.” ADA products were also used in the W600 Live Contest, giving participants an opportunity to experience the quality of our products firsthand, which we believe was another significant achievement.

Opportunities to interact directly with customers overseas are limited. While we can share information through photos and videos on our website, social media, and ADA View, there is an atmosphere and energy that can only be conveyed by being there in person. We hope to continue increasing these opportunities for direct interaction with customers around the world.