Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Since it's Wednesday after Daytona now and I see a definite lack of postings relating to it, was everyone disappointed with the show this year? By this time last year this forum was full of pictures from the show. Anyone???

it wasnt a "bad" show, there just wasnt much that jumped out and made you go WOW......it was the usual suspects.....brian barczyk of course had awesome stuff, brock wagner had REALLY COOL champagne mixes, even though he's ugly(sorry brock....lol), ben siegel had a birthday( again, sorry ben....lol) and had some cool stuff(did anyone see the graphite?), but there wasnt much crazy stuff like in previous years. one guy had a paradox bumblebee which was SICK, but other than that......did anyone else notice that there seemed to be a lot less people there this year? both vendors AND shoppers?

I really enjoyed Daytona this year. Lots of different animals. My highlight was the Black Dragon from Ben Siegl. I was actually tempted several times to buy something, and that has never happened. It did seem floor traffic was slower, but the front desk at the hilton mentioned over 200 cancellations.

Do a scan of other forums. There were some amazing boas, bloods and other pythons as well as some really pretty colubrids. It didnt seem that there were anywhere near the amount of balls there.
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Cindy
PHFaust

Email Cindy

Land of the Outcasts!

Walk-in was way off and same for vendors.I think it is time for a change.Terry

forgot to mention very hot and uncomfortable in the show,customers were complaining and not staying long,this hurt the vendors sales.

It wasnt a bad show but when you compare to the year before. It was nothing like it. A couple of the big breeders like RDR and NERD were not there and it was relatively HOT! Plus have a reptiles of concern law here in florida there were mostly ball pythons, boas, and colubrids, some turtles and lizards here and there. So alot of your large snakes werent being shown. Overall it was a good show but it had potential to be better.

agreed......the ROC law kept some of the big guys away. it also caused lots of problems for retic and burm breeders that were there.

It was still a good show just not as great as previous years. A lot of the new ball morphs I had heard about recently and expected to see were not there. My biggest complaint was how freaking hot it was in there this year. I don't know if it was because of the construction or what but it sucked. By the end of the day it was hard to tell if it was the animals that smelled or the people. It was the people...
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John Vandegrift

In a way I kinda was, for several reasons, the show seemed a mess, tables just about everywhere, almost in the bathrooms, but no clear signage, It took us forever to find the booth to pay to get in, no idea why they didn't place it right at the door like every other show I have ever been too, then the main part of the show was a level down, with no sign and for someone who has never been there before I had no idea how to get down there. The layout was the worst I had ever seen, there where no real clear isles, I just happened to stumble across snakekeepers table which was in an odd spot. It seemed REALLY easy to miss people or tables, you almost had to check every door or hallway to make sure there where not more tables down in back rooms, I kinda felt sorry for some of the vendors that where stuck in the side room off the side next to the bathrooms and broom closets...I sure hope those booths where cheapers...yikes..

They need to move it to a bigger venue...it was a horrible layout....no signs, easy to miss tables.

I was really impressed with the boas and Blood python morphs this year above all else, there still was some cool things to see that I had never seen before, like ShingleBack Skinks, It was a good show...just not as good as I had imagined it would be. We flew from Portland, Oregon to see the show, and had a blast, I am glad we went, but there where just a few things I didn't expect...I guess.

It sucked to not see some of the bigger ball breeders there, But the ones that where there brought some cool stuff. All in all I am glad we went and we had fun.

We found our hotel online, and the pictures of it where awsome....so we booked it, only to find upon arrival an old run down hotel, that was musty and cockroach infested...TV broke the second day there, Parking was hard to find unless you went and paid to park in the parking structure.

But like I said, all in all it was a fun show, it was big, but after going to the NARBC show in Chicago last year...I think I will stick with the NARBC shows and hit like Anehiem and Chicago...instead next year...I really liked the NARBC shows...very well organized, layout was awsome...
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Executive Reptiles
Amanda Kingsbury & David Kendrick
www.executivereptiles.com

I heard that the NARBC was considering a FL show.I have not been to one but many vendors tell me they are top notch promoters.

I am from the Pacific NorthWest, and shows up here are pretty small, The big one being the NorthWest Captive Breeders Expo put on by the Bean Farm, thats the best show.

I had never been to a "Big" show till I went to the NARBC show in Tinley Park, Chicago. We had some friends that had a table there, and I was really impressed, the layout was very nice, it was in a nice place, fairly easy to find, not sure how to explain it, but it had that "Show" feel, where the Daytona show had more of a "Swap Meet" feel, kinda random tables, cluttered...tables everywhere...no real orginized isles.

I am not sure how many vendors where at the Daytona show, but the NARBC show in Chicago last year was just a bit smaller, but it was a great show. They had this option that people could get VIP tickets for $50 that got you into the show an hour before the offical opening, which we got, and glad we did.

I guess I might have put the Daytona show on too high of a pedistal, and was expecting too much. I always invisioned the show being the best of the best, where anyone who was anyone went to that show, the best of the best was there, all the top breeders (even european breeders) where there exhibiting the newest and best.

I didn't really get that impression this time, While there where vendors there I really enjoyed seeing, and some really cool specimens displayed, I guess I was just expecting more.

The NARBC show is a great show, and I would like to go back again, and will choose the NARBC show over the Daytona show in the future, The nice thing is there are NARBC shows in various locations, the nearest one to me is the Anehiem show next month, which I am hoping to be able to go to.

By far the best "Big" Show I have been to so far has been the NARBC show. Last year, we got to see the Enchi Ferno actually hatching at the show, things like that that make if memoriable...
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Executive Reptiles
Amanda Kingsbury & David Kendrick
www.executivereptiles.com

I agree with the mess of Daytona.....NARBC shows are very well organized and they take good care of the vendors and do not scream at them over the P.A system's like.......NARBC all the way

This was my first Daytona show so I loved it, but there was a lot of confusion as to where the tables were. I was looking for ralph davis, nerd, and a few other guys that are the big dogs in the yard, but I couldn't find any of them until I walked around like an idiot forever. Why not move this show to Miami, it has to be better than Daytona. The idea of some real blue beaches makes for a mini vacation for everyone. I thought the blue sailfin dragons were amazing as well as the paradox bumbleebee.

It was a good trip, I guess the big thing for me being a spectator/attendee....I was hoping to see more new stuff. And without some of the other leading ball breeders there it seemed...well...lacking.

There was some cool stuff there, thats for sure, the Snake Keepers had thier new morph there, I was hoping someone had taken pics of the VPI Axanthic Spider, that thing was AWSOME, it was HUGE...and STILL had that hatchling grey color, it had not browned out at ALL...that was awsome to see.

This was our first time to Daytona as well, it was fun, great experience...but I guess I had hyped it up in my mind to be this mecha of all shows...and to me it wasn't.

I remember the NARBC show in Tinely Park, Chicago this last fall, BHB revealed thier Axanthic Pinstripe, and Nerd had the Enchi Ferno actually HATCHING at the show...I am a carpet guy at heart, and I was dissapointed to not see very many Carpet Python Breeders there.

I was most impressed with the Boa Morphs, they had some beautiful boa morphs there, followed by awsome blood python morphs...

I see a few people posting that they where vendors and really enjoyed the show, I am glad, and happy for them they did so well without the few big name breeders there, I bet it was a relief to have less competition...but for someone attending the show, I wanted to see the competition...I was hoping to see the big breeders bring out thier hottest stuff, and show off thier best...I was hoping to see more new things...it seemed many of the new morphs had Pied in them...which doesn't do a whole lot for me...like the Spider Pied, or Clown pied...the little patches of normal (or the part that isn't white) is not much...so its not that huge a difference...at least to me...saw lots of Ivory's though...

All in all I am glad I went, it was my first time too...I guess I was just expecting too much...lol
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Executive Reptiles
Amanda Kingsbury & David Kendrick
www.executivereptiles.com

Then you probably don't want to make the trip down to Anaheim either -- even last year the only big guys to show up were BHB and TSK -- maybe VPI seems like they might have been there as well. Although it was good to see a lot of old timers get their first table and a lot of newbies with their first table the lizard people seemed to dominate and there weren't many of those "inspiring" moments from seeing the new stuff as there were at the pinnacle. This year even a lot of the midsize breeders pulled out. We'll see.
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Tosha
JET Pythons

You pointed out alot of the reasons why I just stick with the NARBC show Bob and Brian put on at Tinley Park.. They cover all the things I want to see/buy with the vast variety of breeders that attend every year and do it all in a professional manner I think.. Anthony McCain.

I thought there was a lot of traffic for the tropical storm scare we had. But agree the venue, is suffering. From a vendor perspective, think the show could be run smoother and more efficiently. As far as animals, saw a decent amount of neat stuff in the ball area, some new some just plain tough animals. Also have to agree That Paradox Bee is SICK! LOL
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Primeval-Beauty
"Finding beauty where other's fear to tread"

Well I haven't made it down in the last 5 or 6 years. For me it sucked!!! Nothing like it use to be, this had the feel of any ole show. In the past it had a vibe of excitment and awe. This year was more like night of the living dead.

Granted it was great to get together with friends that I hadn't seen in a few years. It's just not what it was.. I heard more vendors complaining about no sales and the trip costing more than they brought in. But that could be for hundred reasons.

Well this is just my $0.02's... I think this was my last year..

We stopped doing an animal table many years ago, and a Temp Gun table a couple of years ago. The Internet has closed the communication gap between breeder/seller and customer that the shows used to fill so well.

You have to work VERY hard to have a large show that is relevent and worthwhile. Brian Potter/Bob Ashley work very hard, and it shows.

The Daytona show is at a crossroads, and when you lose the support of big name popular breeders/sellers that make folks want to fly across the country to attend, that is not a good sign for the future.

I sent a plethora of promotional, marketing and improvement suggestions to the Daytona promoter years ago, never even got a reply.

We used to have a Rah Rah supportive Daytona Expo FAQ encouraging folks to attend Daytona as THE show, but I have taken that down as well.

This year's show was overly hot inside the building, and it smelled like old hot dog water.

I saw Al Baldogo, Albe and Rich Ihle though, among others, and that is always nice. I hope to see them again in Chicago.
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robyn@proexotics.com

Pro Exotics Reptiles

The reason alot people go to the reptile shows/expos is to see what the "big time breeders" are producing. They go to see the Bob Clark, ProExotics, Applegate Reptiles, LLL Reptile, NERD, Sandfire Dragon Ranch, etc tables/booths. I personally would rather see the animals in person than on the internet. I live in the Oklahoma City area and in order to see what Bob Clark has, I have to go to the Arlington NARBC show or go to his website. Reptile lovers go to shows to see you people and your animals. I know financially you can't go to every show, it isn't possible, but show a little more respect for your customers and future customers and show us what you have to offer in person when you can.
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1.3 dumerils boas, 1.0 pastel ball python, 1.0 albino burmese python, 0.0.1 wc prairie kingsnake, 0.2 bearded dragons, 0.0.1 sulcata tortoise

Low attendance by buyers and sellers can also be blamed on the tropical storm that was looming over the area. That was my number one reason for not going.
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1.3 dumerils boas, 1.0 pastel ball python, 1.0 albino burmese python, 0.0.1 wc prairie kingsnake, 0.2 bearded dragons, 0.0.1 sulcata tortoise

Are you guys really surprised that the shows and attendance is down? You keep hearing about all these big breeders who care so much about the hobby and love what they do, blah blah blah and then the animals aren't worht a million dollars anymore, and no one is making $100,00 at a show so now they have better things to do with their time than to show off their animals and further the hobby. It REALLY shows who is in it for the cash and use this "caring aboiut furthering the hobby for love of the animals" line for marketing. Bunch of hypocrates. Sad. Really sad.
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www.strictlyballs.ca

I was very disapointed to hear that some of the bigger breeders where not going to go, I kinda thought that even if you didn't make a bunch of money at the show, the PR and attendance would be good business practice....kind of like a "Lost Leader"....While you might not make the "Big Money" at the show, just by being there, and showing off your stuff, and promoting yourself, that in the long run it would be beneficial to go to a show like Daytona. For Example, just becuase BHB was there showing off thier stuff, I personally didn't buy anything at the show, but talking to Brian made me really put BHB at the top of my list for my next future purchase....it seems good business sense to even at a loss go to a show like Daytona.

I don't know the real reason why so many people didn't show, I have a hard time seeing the cost of going being THAT much of an issue, Hell I spent a bunch of money just to go, and I was just a lookylou/shopper and I did it just to do it, with no way to recoup or even try to recover cost and expenses....If I had a bunch of stuff to sell, it would have been a great expereince.

I think what will happen is the more local shows like the NARBC shows that do it in different regions of the US, those shows will be more attended by vendors that don't want to travel quite as far, or that is within driving distance...

I hear what your saying though....it would have been nice to see these "bigger breeders" make the trip, I saw vendors from my neck of the woods vending there, and I know they are not "BIG Breeders" cause they vend at all the small shows out where I live, so if they can/are doing it, why not the bigger breeders? I heard rumors that next year even more people where backing out, and it will be even a smaller show next year? I am glad I went this year, at least I got to expereince it....
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Executive Reptiles
Amanda Kingsbury & David Kendrick
www.executivereptiles.com

I was there both days and yes it was hot and it smelled nasty!! I was told by the vendors I know that the promoter had the center turn down the AC due to it being to cold for the animals!! How tru I don't know but that is what some of the vendors told me. I had fun inspite of it all and got to meet some nice folks. I am thinking of attending the Chicago or Aneheim show since so many people tell me that they are really nice shows.
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Thomas Sierra

The a/c was off due to the bad weather and people bringing in animal from the rain on friday. IT WAS FREEZING COLD and the animals would have for sure suffered due to it. It was hot, but not "exhausting, smelly hot". Welcome to Florida. All the vendors I did biz with or talked to did 2x better than when the bigger breeders were there and had a blast.
People were buying lots of stuff and lots of tables sold out of pastels, spiders, mojaves, etc.
The 500.00 and up stuff sold but nto as much.
It was a great show for the littler guys and the few big guys there did HUGE numbers. Ex. one vendor did over 200k. And it wasn't BHB, lol. I had a blast, lots of people compared to previous year imo, and the only negative thing was goign around and seeing a bunch of stuff marked "sold" , lol.

I have been going to and doing the show since I can remember and I thought the turnout was great even with a storm lingering about.

I sold a bunch of snakes and tortoises and the crowd was as big if not bigger than I can remember.

The layout hasn't changed much other than reconfiguring where some vendors pulled no shows.

Bottom line, who cares if the "big breeders" didn't attend?
Better for the little guys.
There was something there for everyone and the overall response I got from the vendors(even the bigger names) was very, very positive.
Loads of new morphs and products.
I dont understand the disgruntled attitides from everyone.

I am already looking forward to next year.

Happy Herping!

Scott

We did well (again) in Daytona... but, how fast some folks forget the OLD expo when it was back in Orlando (a MUCH better city in my opinion). Man, it used to be even HOTTER in the Raddison Twin Towers than it was this year in Daytona. No kidding, we used to bring two box fans and STILL sweat our guts out! It was a bit warm this year, but my animals were more than happy with that change. Me? I can live with it since I live in Florida. Also, does anyone forget how many conference rooms the old expo used to be in? What, like 5 or 6 before the move to Daytona? Orlando used to also draw MASSIVE crowds (shoulder to shoulder all weekend) and buying was usually an insane feeding frenzie... Why? I think it's a better city overall since there's MUCH more to do and enjoy for 'the family'. Plus, back then the internet was not very popular as a market. Now, you can add that nice snake to an online shopping cart and it comes to your door two days later. The times have changed how an expo is viewed in my mind because of the internet. While I agree with a lot of points made here, I also think some are a bit off... What could be done to make things 'better'? Good question! Sorry, I'm still too tired after this past weekend to come up with any good ideas. But, you can bet I'll be there again next August for my 14th year in a row?! I still dig it.

Matt
p.s. - I've seriously considered going up to display in Chicago sometime. I hear it's a good one!

I loved it! No matter what anyone says about the internet, and I like it too, you cant compare seeing a snake in person to the internet. I had a great time. It was hot, get a soda take 5 and keep going. I missed RDR and NERD but I hope to see them next year. Everyone that was there did a great job and it was a good show.