Carolina Aquatics Open House 2026

April 30 – May 1 | Kernersville, NC

Join the largest wholesale aquarium industry open house in the Southeast. Two days of training, networking, vendor access, and the deepest discounts of the year.

👉 Register your store today to secure your spot.

💥 Why Attend?

📦 20+ Vendors Onsite

✅ The Deepest Discounts of the Year

Exclusive Open House pricing on livestock and dry goods to maximize your margins for the year ahead.

🎓 Training & Education

  • Vendor-led seminars and product training
  • Friday industry round-table with expert panelists
  • Hands-on learning for owners and staff

🤝 Network with Industry Leaders

Meet top vendors, fellow store owners, and Carolina Aquatics leadership. Share strategies, trends, and best practices.

🌮 Food Trucks Onsite

Lunch and refreshments available Thursday and Friday.

Register Your Store Here

🆕 NEW FOR 2026

Bring Your Team This year, store owners can bring up to three employees to make this a true training event for your team. All attendees must be official store employees or owners.

🐟 Livestock & Dry Goods Ordering

Livestock

All Open House livestock orders must be taken home on Friday. If you’re unable to do so, you may opt to receive a discount code instead. This code can be used within 30 days on a future order for delivery or shipping. Please let us know your preference at check-in.  

Dry Goods

  • Dry goods orders will be placed online during the event
  • Orders will be fulfilled after the Open House as inventory arrives
  • You will not be billed until your order ships

🏨 Hotel Credit & Recommended Hotels

💵 $135 Hotel Credit

Spend $1,000 or more during the Open House and receive up to $135 hotel reimbursement
(Hotel receipt required. Limit one per store.)

  • Hampton Inn – Kernersville

    $139 Wednesday / $129 Thursday & Friday

    📍 150 Clayton Forest Drive, Kernersville, NC 27284[Book Special Rate]

    Book with special rate 

  • Holiday Inn Express and Suites

    899 Stafford Centre Dr., Kernersville, NC 27284

  • Sleep Inn Kernersville I-40

    1406 Heartland Dr, Kernersville, NC 27284

  • Holiday Inn Express Kernersville, an IHG Hotel

    1570 Highway 66 S, Kernersville, NC 27284

🚀 Secure Your Spot

This event is designed to help retailers grow sales, train teams, and build stronger supplier relationships.

👉 Register now to reserve your store’s place.

Register Your Store Here

Your questions answered

Will dry goods be available for pickup during the Open House.

Dry goods will NOT be available for pickup at the open house.

We will have vendors from across the nation here to teach you about their product lines and industry best practices!

We will be offering our deepest discounts yet this year!

All Open House dry goods orders will be put in on the website.

Dry Goods will be ordered the week after the open house and fulfilled as they come in from the manufacturers.

You will not be billed until we send your items out.

Can we take home livestock?

Yes. All Open House discounted livestock orders must be taken home on Friday.

If you’re unable to take your livestock with you that day, you may choose to receive a discount code instead. This code can be used within 30 days on a future order.

If you plan to have your order shipped, we recommend waiting about a week after the event to place it so we can fully restock, as many livestock tanks will sell out during the show.

Please let us know your preference at check-in.

How many people can I bring?

This year we are inviting the store owner plus up to three employees! We want this to be a valuable training opportunity for you and your valued employees!

***all attendees MUST be official store employees or owners.

Direct Access to 20+ National Brand RepresentativesGet product insights, exclusive deals, and face-to-face support from industry leaders.  

Receive Deep DiscountsMaximize your margins with industry-leading Open House pricing from Carolina Aquatics. Stock up on top brands, reduce your cost per unit, and increase your retail profitability.  

Learn. Collaborate. Grow.Discover proven strategies and insights from industry leaders to strengthen your retail operation.

Build Meaningful Industry ConnectionsNetwork with like-minded retailers, exchange ideas, and gain valuable knowledge from peers across the industry.