When I first got into this hobby of ours I always wondered what the big deal was with Reptile expos. Why would everyone in the hobby get so excited about them? Granted, when I first got into the hobby, there weren’t any reptile expos in my area. The best could do was just imagine how amazing it would have been to see all the unique animals and experience such a great event with “like-minded” people in the industry. I eventually attended my first expo ( The January 2010 Reptile Super Show in Pomona, California) and what I experienced was so much more than words could explain. However, in order to enlighten would-be reptile expo enthusiasts as well as veterans in the industry, I decided to share the experience of someone who has gone to more Reptile Expo’s than I have, and who has been ingrained within the hobby for a longer period of time. The hobbyist is none other than Steffe, also known as Kaorte from the BP.net forums. In this article we cover the in’s and outs of Reptile Expo’s for those curious about the experience as well as others who would like to rekindle such special memories.
CHRIS: Hi Steffe, we are so glad that you have decided to share your time with you. To get the ball rolling can we ask when you first started attending reptile expos? How did you hear about it? What got you to attend?
STEFFE: I attended my first NARBC show in October of 2009 (Tinley park show) but I have been regularly attending the Wheaton All Animal Expo since January of 2009. Ball-pythons.net has clued me in on the shows in my area. It doesn’t take much to get me to go to these shows, tons of cool animals to look at and to purchase! Plus, large quantities of frozen rats save a lot of money.
CHRIS: Can you describe in the most detail what a reptile expo experience feels like “the first time”
STEFFE: It was kind of overwhelming. I was looking down at the tables the whole time and often forgot to look where I was going. There were so many tables I would be walking around in circles and then find a new aisle of tables I hadn’t even looked at. The amount of great looking animals was amazing!
CHRIS: How does the experience change each time you go to another expo?
STEFFE: NARBC is still very exciting to attend since it only comes around once a year. The local show is just more of an errand to get rats. I always walk around just to check things out but I rarely go looking to buy an animal.
CHRIS: Can you describe the sights ,sounds, smells , and feelings associated with Tinley Show
STEFFE: Lots and lots of people! Lots and lots of beautiful animals! It smells…normal? Not bad or anything, haha. It’s definitely an experience that is hard to describe, especially to people who don’t really like reptiles that much. Its just awesome to turn a corner and see the most beautiful animal you have ever seen only to turn another corner and see an animal you have never even heard of.
CHRIS: How would the last Tinley show compare to the other reptile expos that you have attended?
STEFFE: This past Tinley show was a bit smaller since it was put on very quickly. There wasn’t as many vendors as the October show but they did have the informational summit talks, which I found very interesting. I also got to meet a few people from ball-pythons.net.
CHRIS: How would you recommend a beginner prepare him/herself for an expo? What should he/she bring with him? what kind of research should he/she do beforehand?
STEFFE: A first timer should bring a camera, money, and a good understanding of how to identify a healthy animal and/or a good example of a particular morph. I like to look at the list of breeders online and go to their websites to see what they might be bringing to the show, although they always bring different stuff and more stuff then what they have “available”.
CHRIS: What is your favorite reptile expo memory?
STEFFE: I really can’t pick one! I have so many 
Maybe meeting some of the awesome breeders.
CHRIS: What other expos do you plan to attend for 2010?
STEFFE: Tinley park in October since it is only 30 minutes away and the local reptile show to get rats
We would like to thank Steffe for her generous contribution to this article. It definitely shed some light into the reptile expo experience. I cannot wait for my next one!
If you have an interesting Reptile Expo experiences that you would like to share with everyone feel free to contact me at anytime.
