Your Reptile Show Requests

[GoFride]

What would you like to see at the next reptile show? What would make the show better? What would you like to never ever see again?
I'd like to see more kid-friendly booths and activities - things like reptile coloring books and markers, kid-sized baseball caps with cool reptile decorations, "make your own beaded bracelet", or "stencil the cobra or whatever on the paper plate". Anything at all would be an improvement. I see tons of kids at every show who can only "look-don't-touch."
I'd like to never ever again see any live animal door prizes, where the lucky winner gets something like a baby bearded dragon. The loser, of course, is the baby beardie, who may not survive in its new home with such an unprepared owner.
What about you - what would you like to see added to the next show you attend? What would you like to see changed?

 

[DragonsDenSerpents]

Fewer kids. But I'm a grumpy old man like that.

I agree - no door prizes, no encouraging disposable pets. I'd love it if everything were captive bred, but I know that's unrealistic. I love chatting with the smaller breeders.

I'd like to see more variety. My New England shows are mostly all BPs, beardies, geckos, etc. I'd love to see Argentine tegus, uroplatus geckos, more colubrids, etc. I'd also love to see informational sessions - like tegu/monitor intelligence, husbandry Q&A, maybe even some education on local laws and legislation. I'd also love to see more vets and rescues.

 

[gelshark]

I would like to see customers that are willing to drop piles of cash down at the table instead of customers that offer $10.00 for everything on the table except the table cloth.

 

[DragonsDenSerpents]

I would like to see customers that are willing to drop piles of cash down at the table instead of customers that offer $10.00 for everything on the table except the table cloth.

This! You know it's bad when your best sellers are your $10 t-shirts. :laugh:

 

[Alli_Draggy]

This mom would be willing to pay for kid-friendly crafts and similar activities-I'd much rather have something to do THERE than be pressured into buying yet another overpriced plastic snake. Also, I'd be more than willing to pay for classes/workshops for kids (or even hobbyist adults who are interested, but not necessarily ready to buy) on specific types of animals, with the chance to see and interact with them more, and get their questions answered. We go to reptile shows every time we have a chance because Alli loves reptiles, but it is hard when most of what's there is looking at babies in deli cups, and vendors who don't want to answer a child's questions. I understand that the vendors are trying to make money and sell their hatchlings, and that it's a "barely breaks even in many cases" business, but it's still frustrating for a little kid who simply wants to know what that pretty little red snake in that tank is.

---Donna

 

[GoFride]

I've often wondered why I've never seen so much as a facepainting booth - it's such a big hit (and lucrative) at every other show or festival.

 

[CaseyH]

I agree with everything Donna said. I take my grandson (age 10) to a reptile show every month and I hope he develops a deep appreciation for a variety of reptiles, beyond the corn snakes I have at home. I also would be happy to pay for classes/workshops.

I would also like to see fewer ball pythons, and more interesting corn snake morphs. There are very few corn snake breeders there (Cleveland, Ohio), and they tell me about all the interesting projects they have at home. When I ask why they don't bring them to the shows, they say they don't believe the more expensive morphs would sell well at the show. Since I'm now addicted, that's probably for the best

Casey

 

[Rich Z]

One thing I used to absolutely HATE at shows was the constant bombardment of announcements going over the PA system. Some of them droning on for several minutes at a time. We are at the show trying to talk to people and would have to stop until the blare of blather stopped. Only to often be interrupted again in a few minutes.

Oh, and another thing. Just because YOU might like the brand of music you listen to, doesn't mean that EVERYONE does. Please use earphones and blow your own eardrums out through your nose and spare the rest of us.

Fortunately we got out before the cell phone craze ramped up as much as it is now. But we did have our moments back then... For instance, if I am talking to you and you cut me off to answer your cell phone, I am NOT going to stand there twiddling my thumbs waiting on you to finish that call before resuming our conversation. I'll get back to you again when it's convenient for me.

And lastly, no, I did not allow every person who walked up to the table to handle the animals. Matter of fact, until you bought the animal, you weren't handling MY animals. Kids are OK and all, but when they go running through a show handling EVERY animal that someone will allow them to, I don't want every possible pathogen in the entire show being passed on to my animals via those hands. And I would HOPE that you wouldn't want to buy any animal that went through that kind of handling, neither. I was absolutely astonished and dismayed at the cavalier attitude a lot of people had about such a practice. I am actually incredulous that the herp industry hasn't already suffered an infectious disease armageddon that had the point source at a show where there is absolutely NO quarantine between all the animals, and apparently most people not giving a damn about the danger.

 

[Chip]

Rich, I agree on all fronts. Even in my shop, I deal with people asking me questions and care advice, then "putting me on hold" as they answer their phones. It's unreal. I turn and walk now when that happens. Also, baby snakes don't need to be pulled out and pestered constantly, even with no contamination risk. I have had at least three dropped by an insecure handler at my store. Retail would be great if it wasn't for the people.

 

[Alli_Draggy]

That's one reason why I think it would be good to have official workshops/animal meet and greets-it would be easier to enforce hand sanitizer and also limit contact to older animals who respond well to it-and give a chance for "not buying, just interested" questions to be focused, and I also think it would be good for marketing herps as good, easily managed pet animals to parents. (I think Wadjet has led to three kids I know getting herp pets in the last year-and that's just from people coming to our house for homeschool activities. Anyone who's kid is dragging them to a reptile trade show is already halfway there-it doesn't take much to get them the other half way). This would be a good job for rescue groups, or for university students majoring in animal-related fields. Again, I'd happily pay an extra fee for this sort of thing. Maybe even a separate educational track (and while the education stuff is going on would be a good time to talk to serious buyers, because the little folks wouldn't be underfoot!)

Another pet peeve-candy at the booths! I understand the "small giveaway gets people to come by in a trade show" form of marketing, but we're talking animals that carry salmonella, and even if you're careful about sanitizing hands before/after handling animals (I always carry hand sanitizer for that purpose) or aren't handling them, it doesn't mean all the surfaces you'll contact are clean. In fact, I'm guessing most aren't.

 

[Rich Z]

About the hand sanitizers......

In order for a sanitizer to be strong enough and effective enough to *truly* kill most of the pathogens on your hands in the scant 10 seconds or less that you have it on your hands, it would have to be strong enough to remove all the skin on your hands at the same time. If you used it and then while the fluid is still wet put your hands under running water to wash it away, it MIGHT be more effective that way. But realistically, all that liquid really does is to move the pathogens around from one part of your hands to another.

Yeah, it might kill some lightweight bacteria, but please don't use that stuff and then think it's safe to immediately handle your sandwich or chew on your fingernails.

http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/pdf/rr/rr6004.pdf

http://biology.about.com/od/microbiology/a/handsanitizers.htm

http://wwwnc.cdc.gov/eid/article/12/3/05-0955_article.htm

http://www.cmaj.ca/content/183/12/E799.full

 

[hypnoctopus]

I agree with most of what has been said. I'd definitely love to see more corn snake morphs and more variety of animals in general. I also really enjoyed the last show I went to that had a great display of hots! (Not for sale, obviously.) I found them really interesting and it was neat to see them up close.

I'd like to see more rescues and adult animals available too.

 

[crackerhead]

I wish they would stop calling them "shows." Call them what they are: places to buy reptile and amphibian related items. Who can afford to pay $300 for a table to "show" their reptiles? That's what forums are for or FaceBook. Then people wouldn't be disappointed when aren't entertained or they are expected to buy stuff to keep the "show" from folding.
There are shows for reptiles in this area that do exactly what you are requesting. The Chicago Herpetological Society has Reptilefest and there is the Dupage County Fair each year as well. I volunteer at both these shows bringing my animals for the public to touch and they are a lot of fun, albeit exhausting.
Talk to your local herp society and see if they would be willing to start a show like this in your area.

Terri

 

[Nythain]

Variety variety variety!

 

[dave partington]

What would you like to see at the next reptile show? What would make the show better? What would you like to never ever see again?
I'd like to see more kid-friendly booths and activities - things like reptile coloring books and markers, kid-sized baseball caps with cool reptile decorations, "make your own beaded bracelet", or "stencil the cobra or whatever on the paper plate".

I see tons of kids at every show who can only "look-don't-touch."

I'd like to never ever again see any live animal door prizes, where the lucky winner gets something like a baby bearded dragon. The loser, of course, is the baby beardie, who may not survive in its new home with such an unprepared owner.

What about you - what would you like to see added to the next show you attend? What would you like to see changed?

Good thread. Thanks for starting it. Replies to each thought using the color matching system.

Paint your own T-shirt. Individual quarantine containers at the kid drop-off depot. Because we all know about what co-habbing causes. Certified kid-care personnel. Multiple places to drop off kids if it's a huge space. The children's interactivity station. Something fun AND educational, int infomercial-ational, but genuinely educational.

Look but don't touch. I guess you've never been on the other side of the table. I need the table because I need to put "the reason for getting a space at the show" somewhere. But I am not fond of the table between me and the people that came in the front door. It is a barrier between them and me. I often position myself where I am accessible; in front of the table. I just think it makes it more intimate. But if a crowd gathers then I put myself behind it so I can see the kid with the greasy turkey leg or sausage coated fingers as he/she touches the top of each deli cup down the line, or is amped up on Ritalin, aspartame, red dye #4 and Blue13, never mind the high fructose breakfast cereal served with cola over it, who should have gone potty 45 minutes ago and is leaning on the table wriggiligling the table rhythmically. After ditching the parents they come bouncing back and ask from 20 feet away if they can handle a snake.
Nope, ain't happening.
Then there's the crowd of kids that comes along and it's their first show and they're relaxed kinda except for the 65% of their crowd that is freaking out seeing everything their electronic babysitter (aka television) has taught them to fear. And they are all wandering around spanning 4 or 5 booths and they see that high green coral snow, and they interact with each other, and they all sort of check it out, and discuss and consult, and if there was a kids booth they could go make a pie chart on a paper plate about their feelings in color,
and then on of them asks if they can hold it,
so at that point, I might realize okay, this is really cool, because then that kid is going to be seen by all their friends holding something because

1) it's cool.
2) because they are genuinely interested in the concept of holding a snake.

Sure, they'll need some guidance and stuff, and I take the snake away from the exact moment they decide to scare someone with it. (And this goes for adults too, and then I won't sell them a snake). I try to take each instance as it's individual instance. Maybe this chance will lead to something better for them or help them to learn something about their self.


And then there was this lady...
http://stinkyflowers.wordpress.com/2012/01/23/wrestling-a-snake-to-save-my-son/

And sometimes I learn something about myself too.
I make us all use the alcohol gel before and after, it makes us all feel good because we learned on television that using it would make us feel good. It's all good for the moment.

Live Animal Prizes.
To win the animal you have to answer an extensive questionaire online, to make sure the new owner is appropriate for the pet, and the website coding is setup in such a way that IP addys are auto-remembered,
and then "you must be present at the physical location of the show" to win", with a time of when on what day the winner will be announced. Just a random thought.

I like the wolf rescue lady being next to me. There's a lot of related environmental and non-profit orgs, etc, which are relative to our interest. Preserving wolf habitat also preserves the habitat of a lot of other species, even some with scales. I'd like a disco ball, strobes, colored lazers and smoke to go with the bad canned music coming thru the rusty loudspeaker. I'd like a tropical oasis in the center of the show which serves fruity cool beverages with parasols in them.

HerpExpos R Fun

 

[Alli_Draggy]

I think part of the problem IS the labeling. When I see something labeled a convention, as Repticon is, I expect the focus to be seminars and demonstrations, with a vendor display/trade show as a big part of it, but NOT a trade show where the occasional vendor might do a group sales pitch. When it's actively advertised to families, as Repticon is, I expect there to be a kid's track, often with separate registration, not for kids to get snarled at and treated like they don't belong. I expect to spend money at a convention, but I also expect to learn something more than what corn snakes are selling for these days.

If a reptile show is just a reptile sale, and is designed to be there for breeders and serious buyers only, advertise it as such. Don't call it a show or a convention and be upset when there are people who come to SEE reptiles, not necessarily buy them-or at least, not buy today.

 

[crackerhead]

Sadly the door is what the promoters are after. Plus they hope for kids to push the impulse purchase. I just got home from a show today and had a long conversation with a parent that wanted to buy a corn for their kid and they didn't know the first thing about the care and housing. When I said they should go home a do some research and come back in two weeks to buy the animal they got pissed. Sorry but I'm not selling a living animal to an impulse buyer. They bought a king snake from a flipper two aisle over and made a point of holding up their purchase as the walk by my table, as though that would upset me. It does but not for the reason they think; poor king snake. This not the first time that has happened to me either. It happens to some degree at almost every show.

Terri

 

[ShenziSixaxis]

gomen for the wall of text


- I'm definitely agreeing with the more variety thing. As a potential buyer and just someone that likes reptiles and such, I'd like to see more than 70% of the animals being ball pythons and corns, and sometimes leopard geckos. At the last Repticon here in February, someone had a few Rhacodactylus lechianus with him; absolutely amazing. I spent a good ten minutes standing at his table listening to whatever he had to say about them and holding one that was about 10 inches long (link). I want that sort of awe-inspiring moment to be at every show, not the " HEY MORNING HOW'S IT-- oh more ball pythons nevermind". (Granted, I did get to see this beauty at the same show; amazing.)


- I think more things specifically for kids is a good idea. Kids definitely are a bother, as a vendor-helper and just a guest. It's nice that they're excited and whatnot, but wow, they can really unintentionally ruin things for others.
More kid-oriented things and educational/Q&A seminars would be nice, especially if they were more varied (like one on geckos in general instead of just leos for example).
A workshop that I think could be fun for kids and older individuals alike would be making hides or cage decorations. I like to make hides with popsicle sticks, and I'm sure that'd be fun for others! And working with clay would probably be even more fun.


- I'm 50/50 on the live animal prize thing. I guess a good substitute would be to instead offer animal-home prizes like the Exo Terra kits? I've won two of those and wow they're REALLY nice, and I'm sure if you didn't want it that it'd be easy to trade or sell off.


- OLDER ANIMALS. I really really really do not care for young animals, and I never have. I'd rather spend the extra few bucks for an older animal. Plus, personally, the older animals I tend to see are generally the more interesting ones. All young animals are jumpy, but to handle one adult animal that's jumpy and then another that's cool as ice with handling is quite interesting. Adults animals have also obviously been eating and in good health to have grown and aged.


- Here's one that I think might amuse you guys: I'd like to see more people-friendly vendors. I have seen vendors just watch me walk by without so much as a smile or nod in greeting. I've even just given polite 'morning!' or 'evening!' greetings and just had them look at me. It's... very unappealing. If anything it just drives me away.
At all the shows I've gone to I've tried to help anyone out who can use an extra set of hands, and one guy I've helped rather often works with mostly boas, and he also works in retail. He will greet everyone the way I do, and oftentimes with a 'hey, how are ya?' even, and he'll watch for a moment or immediately follow up with a 'you have any questions?' comment to get people talking. Or, most often, he'll have one (or two or three if he's got help) boa out to show how big the animals he's selling may possibly get, but also how docile they are.
Meanwhile, there's that one vendor sitting back in his chair, just vaguely interested in the whole situation and answering questions as flatly as he can.


- I think it'd also be nice if show employees (not the vendors; the people in charge I mean) would be educated in what is a healthy animal and what isn't. Occasionally I've seen animals that are appalling, and they're for sale!! Even more amazing was a couple of corn snakes that the local herp society had for adoption that were probably three times too fat. Let's not even get started on the lethargic skinks and tegus they have. And since their a herp society and rescue, people seem to think that they know best and sometimes ask vendors with very healthy animals why they're selling sickly looking animals. Amazing...


-- Hmm- oh! How about more exotic animals in general? At the one non-Repticon show there were 2-3 fish vendors, and someone even have sugar gliders! Of course, they were babies and sometimes one or more of them would start making a screaming sound over and over for ten minutes and start up again after a short break...


- I would also like to see more responsible vendors. I bought an animal from someone and... it killed have of my collection at the time because it was carrying something. That was... god, I lost the best pet I've ever had and more despite having quarantined the new animal. And I spoke with other people who had bought from the same vendor and had similar occurrences or knew people with similar problems. That's... wow, really????
And besides that, there's the vendors that are obviously just trying to get you to buy. Sometimes I'll do that 'morning' thing and they'll ask if I'm interested in buying or not and then try goading me into buying despite saying 'no'. It's one thing if they're being playful, but just flat out trying to get me to buy is terrible.
Or the ones that sell anything to anyone with the cash.

One thing I used to absolutely HATE at shows was the constant bombardment of announcements going over the PA system. Some of them droning on for several minutes at a time. We are at the show trying to talk to people and would have to stop until the blare of blather stopped. Only to often be interrupted again in a few minutes.

Oh, and another thing. Just because YOU might like the brand of music you listen to, doesn't mean that EVERYONE does. Please use earphones and blow your own eardrums out through your nose and spare the rest of us.

Definitely definitely definitely agreed. There was a non-Repticon show I went to where the PA system was LOUD and playing music constantly and the announcements were constant and LONG. That entire show was kind of bad in general, but that's the one thing I remember that made it bad (besides the whole 'we're gonna have over 200 vendors at the show!' thing when only about 12 showed up).