Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I am going to start a reptile show in Bryn Athyn, PA. That is, NE of Philly. I just read all those things about kids and shows and need some input. Kids should be allowed, right? With a lower admission, right?

Well now, what does a reptile show need to get started, vendors, advertising, security... what else.

Whatever positive, or negative input you put in will bring me one step closer to starting another show.

And by the way, I was thinkng sometime in late August and then February or March.

Thank you in advance.
-Owen Cass
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The things I would make sure I have before I would put a show on are the following

1. No less then 30 vendors with a varying stock of animals (boas, pythons, geckos, insects, arachnids lizards etc)

2. Only quality vendors would be allowed to open a table. (that does not mean mom and pop or kids out of their rooms are not accepted, just be sure the animals they are going to be selling are healthy mite/tick free.

3. Advertise as much as you can to get people to show up, if it is a good show and customers do not show, the vendors will be less likely to stick it out and come back the next time around.

That is the main things I can think of right now.

Good luck in your venture.
Later
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Randall L Turner Jr.
www.aircapitalconstrictors.com
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but NE PA seems awefully saturated with shows right now and starting another one might be difficult. I'd recomend doing a market analysis first.

I live in levittown. you picked a good well populated area
John Styner

But in Cali. I need to figure out the costs involved first. Let me know if your show gets off the ground and becomes a reality. Id like to get some tips and hear about what when wrong, what worked out well, etc.

There is a lot of other factors involved in setting up a good reptile show. Most reputable vendors won't attend a show unless you have a solid reputation in the business as a promoter or at least some very good references. You also have to consider insurance. You can be held liable for accidents that happen at your show. There is a lot of stuff involved in the process. Take it from someone who has worked with some of the most well known promoters in the country, it is hard work.

How do you promote a show like that? Every show I hear about already has a list of vendors signed up. There were some first time shows out here that had a list of vendors before I knew about it. How do you get vendors?

Years of developing relationships with them. There is a lot more to this than most people realize. There are a lot of shows out there and you have to have a solid reputation to talk these people into traveling long distances and investing their hard earned money to come to your show. Vendors are business people. They don't like to take on unnecessary risks. Attending a first time show put on by someone with no experience in show promotion, no solid reputation in the industry, and no sure fire plan to bring in plenty of customers is a definite risk. Especially when you consider that on most dates there is a more sure thing show they can choose to attend.

My advice, latch on to a job with a well known promoter. Stick around for a while and talk to as many of the big names as you can. Get known in the industry. After a few years of building solid contacts if you are still interested in promoting a show then go for it but don't be disappointed if you fail. Most shows do.