If you have a local tropical fish club, consider joining. You may not be aware that your town or a neighboring town has a fish club, but I bet you do have one nearby. Check with your local fish store and/or do a web search if you aren’t sure. There is no better way to meet fellow fish keepers, make new friends, and share knowledge.
Most larger cities have fish clubs, and many have cichlid groups. In fact, several clubs often host large, annual events where world-renown cichlid keepers speak. A few examples are the Ohio Cichlid Association’s (OCA) Extravaganza, the Greater Portland Aquarium Society’s Fishtoberfest, the annual convention of the Federation of Texas Aquarium Society (FOTAS), and the Gold Coast Aquarium Society of South Florida’s annual Aqua Expo. There is also the American Cichlid Association (ACA), which has its own annual convention every July. If you are not a member of ACA, you should definitely join. I have posted about the ACA many times and the benefits of membership.
I have personally attended the ACA and Extravaganza conventions, and there is no better place to meet people like yourself who keep and breed these wonderful fish. I have made many new friends at these events and I always learn new things when I attend. But even if you can’t make it to the large gatherings, consider joining a local club.