TOP 10 Reptile shows in the world.

The internet is full of information. I can go online and find out the TOP 10 Amusement parks to the TOP 10 restaurants I should visit if I want to eat pizza while visiting Chicago but it appears that no one in the reptile community has made a list of the Top 10 Reptile shows.

I know there must be hundreds if not thousands but I'm sure only a few stand out above the rest. I'm sure everyone has a #1 and there are other shows that may be equal to another but let's try and put a list together. Over the years I'm sure the list will fluctuate as some shows get bigger and better while other shows loose ranking.

For example only:

1: Daytona National Breeders in Daytona, Fl
http://www.reptilebreedersexpo.com/

2: Reptile Super Show in Sand Diego, Ca
http://www.reptilesupershow.com/map.html

7: Hamburg PA Reptile Expo in Hamburg, PA (VR) <--- venomous reptiles


I know in some cases it's all matter of opinion what show is better than the others but we should look at this from a consumers view point and let’s try to keep it real. I know many vendors or show coordinators may want to try and plug a show but please keep it real.

My goal is to take the average and put a final list together to create the 2008 Top 10 Reptile shows as reference for others in the future. If 10 out of 13 people list Daytona as #1 then odds are Daytona will be #1 on the final list. I can't do this without you and it benifits everyone now and new comers to the hobby in the future.

I can't remember the specific issue but Reptiles Magazine usually does a list like this every couple of years. The other two sets of shows to consider are the NARBC's in Anaheim and Chicago and the two Tampa Shows.

Definitely the NARBC! Ive never gone, but i hear they are excellent!

Thanks for the feedback so far but I need some kind of list from each person even if it is a TOP 5 and not TOP 10.

For example my list would be:

# 1 Daytona Beach, Florida,
National Reptile Breeders Expo

# 2 San Diego, California
Reptile Super Show

# 3 NARBC
Anaheim, California

# 4 Hamm, Germany, Terraristika Hamm
http://www.terraristikahamm.de/

It would be pretty tough for the average hobbyist to give you a complete list IMO. For example I only travel up and down the east coast and don't see any reason to go to California for a show. I am only able to be a vendor in the New England shows, which are very small by comparison to the ones down south.

IMO there's a lot of factors. I was talking to one vendor at the Mid-Atlantic show and he does better there than he does in Daytona. I just came back from the White Plains show in NY and things appeared to be selling very good. I saw a lot of people carrying things out the door.

More tables just means more ball pythons.

I am not very worldly when it comes to reptile shows, but NARBC Chicago has my vote.

Kris, the Crazy Snake Lady

It hasn't happened yet but I think the Carlisle PA show on Oct 11 is going to be awesome. The coordinator Kelly has put together this show for the sole purpose of creating a show that is more family friendly and not so crowded and jammed. She is going to have wider isles even if that means less vendors (less money for her) to increase the space between the booths. She has truly ochestrasted this show to be more inviting to vendors and show goers alike.
Plus, I am going to be a vendor there so of course I will rate it number one.
Dale

Sort of biased but I have been to all of the following shows.

1-3 All Three Terraristika Shows
4-Daytona
5-7 Narbc Shows Tinley, Anaheim , Texas ---up and coming , Chantilly.
8-Snake Day ( Utrech, NE)
9 - Utrech Reptile show Day after Hamm .
10 The Bean Farmer's Show in Seatle is supposed to be excellent ( I will get there one day)

Sheri

If you find out how many feet of table space are sold at each show then this should tell you which shows are the best.

Originally Posted by cahrens

If you find out how many feet of table space are sold at each show then this should tell you which shows are the best.

I have to disagree with this statement, and not only as a show promoter...Just because a show has a ton of tables/spaces, does NOT mean it will have a lot of the other important things (variety, cleanliness, good aisle sizes, A/C or heat, etc). It might be the BIGGEST, but not NECESSARILY the best...