-NEW- Repticon Dallas / Ennis February 18 & 19 2012

2012 Show Dates
(Saturday & Sunday)
February 18 & 19

Texas Motorplex
7500 W. Highway 287
Ennis, TX 75119

Repticon is proud to announce our Dallas-area debut with Repticon Dallas at Ennis, February 18-19. Join us at the Texas Motorplex in Ennis, just 30 minutes south of Dallas, for a weekend packed with a great selection of animals, reptile supplies and merchandise, entertaining seminars and live animal presentations, and much more. This venomous-included expo will offer vendors an opportunity to present a wider range of animals than at any previous Texas Repticon show. Watch this website for exciting updates on Repticon's newest Western show, Repticon Dallas at Ennis!

Featuring reptile and amphibian breeders and wholesalers, reptile pet products and supplies, educational seminars and exhibits, and fun-filled activities for the entire family!

Saturday: 10:00am-5:00pm (VIP Entry at 9:00 am)
Sunday: 10:00am-4:00pm

Admission: Adults - $10.00
Children (5-12) - $5.00,
Four and under FREE!

Two Day VIP Ticket: Adults - $12.00 (online) $15 (at door) Children - $5.00

Wow, another show in Texas.

id love to see a vendor list. hopefully tons of them!!!

Sweet!!! Hope it's a big success. I'm 25 minutes away from there!!

I find a few things disturbing about this show. Please bear with me.

I am in no way trying to be negative, and I am thinking about the big picture here.

First of all, I do not find that having venomous included in the show is appropriate. I support clearly the right to own venomous, so this is not a stab at that issue. What I do find is that it seems a little lacking on the expo owner’s part, to be advertising this as a “ family “ event, but then, the possibility of some breeder selling a teen some venomous snake that they have no business in owning, goes up. Don’t believe that has happened at any venomous expos? Think again. Then, what about any risk of potential accidents? One accident at a “ family “ expo such as this, and here comes the media and news anchors to reak havoc upon our beloved hobby. Of course, the possibility of ridiculous laws being set forth about keeping exotics will follow. How responsible!

Second, I love how the owners of Repticon are thinking ahead of the health of the vendor’s animals with these issues I am going to mention. From there website, under Vendor Rules:

Wild-Caught Animals - There is no restriction regarding sale of legal, wild-caught animals. Exhibitors are not required to display any particular signage, but are required to disclose any pertinent information to interested guests, including whether a particular animal is wild-caught or captive bred.

Now, for those who may not think at first that it is a big deal about having wild caught animals, think about this. First, vendors who CARE about quality, and care about the health of their animals, reflect their business, as a whole, with these aspects. Since the majority of reptiles in demand is pretty much captive bred, what need is there to promote those who feel the need to remove animals from the wild in order to make a few bucks? What about the fun things wild caughts CAN and DO bring to captivity, such as mites, ticks, etc.? Allowing vendors to vend at these shows, who bring in anything they darn well please, only raises the stakes of someone’s captive collections to be contaminated.

Second, which brings me to another point that is really disturbing, from their website under Vendor Rules:

Guests Bringing Animals - Guests will be allowed to bring up to two animals inside the event. We feel strongly that this interaction will provide guests with an additional opportunity to engage in discussion with exhibitors and will generate excitement among event attendees. Animals brought by guests to the event must be in good health and under their control at all times. Guests may not bring animals into the event for the purpose of selling them at the event, as only show vendors with appropriate permits may sell animals. Any guests who violate these policies will be asked to leave the show.


Now, there may be some interaction, but, at the same time, there will be most likely those who bring in animals who want to sell them right then and there. It is very easy to do so. Is that fair for the vendors who paid for tables? What about the health aspects? Repticon has no control over what exactly is being brought into a show. Animals could be brought in with IBD, mites, ticks, who knows what? Heck, IBD can destroy whole collections, and can be brought in with mites. Repticon allowing people to bring in animals not only threatens the health of vendors’ stock, but sets the stage for people to undercut expo prices by selling animals out of their backpacks.
Is this really a reptile expo, or a “ fun day at the zoo “ for the public?

And it end it all, the final kick in the nuts for the vendor, on the behalf of Repticon, is this jewel of a rule under Vendor rules:

New Vendors -All vendors who have never vended at a Repticon Show are required to pay a $50 non-refundable deposit for their first show, and the balance is then due by 3:00 pm on Saturday. Repticon will not book any new vendor if this $50 deposit is not paid.

Now, why on earth would a new vendor be forced to pay a $50 non-refundable deposit for being a first time vendor at this show, which already demonstrates a disregard to the health and well being of vendor collections, which consist of hours of dedication? They really seem to make vendors WANT to vend at their shows.

Overall, this is not a personal jab at Repticon, but just an observation from someone who takes this hobby seriously, and thinks about all aspects that go into it, and the big picture overall. Because of the unprofessional attitude of this show, I would never set foot in this show, pay to get in, or have anything to do with it. I know of recent surprise and disgust from many breeders as well, regarding the blatant disregard of collection safety and professionalism. Even though a show owner will never have complete control possibly of EVERY animal that comes into a show, they can try to enforce simple rules that correlate with keeping a show healthy, educational, and productive. It is a win-win for everyone, if taken to heart.

Billy ...have you ever attended a Repticon Event ? Have you ever attended a Repticon Event that offered Venomous for sale ?

Are you aware of the protocol involved with a Repticon Hot show ?
Even though you mention your not trying to be negative ...

Maybe it may have been a better choice to email some one on the Repticon team with your concerns BEFORE "not trying to be negative"

Repticon Venomous Protocol


1. No more than one venomous reptile in each container unless animals are for “Display Only”.
2. Red tape only on ALL containers that have venomous reptiles in them. This includes all potentially dangerous rear fanged snakes (determined at the discretion of Repticon staff).
3. No venomous snake will be allowed away from the vendor’s table without a venomous escort provided by Repticon.
4. Deli cups containing venomous reptiles will be placed in such a fashion that customers cannot pick them up.
5. All Venomous reptiles must be sexed and labeled prior to the opening of the event.
6. All venomous reptiles must be housed in secured, taped and unbreakable containers and labeled with no less than the common name.
7. No venomous reptiles may be removed from containers and lids of such containers shall not be removed, except in the designated area. NO venomous reptile will be taken out of its container nor will the container be unsealed under any circumstances other then in the designated area.
8. Waivers - All vendors with venomous snakes must sign a waiver upon check in and have all customers do the same.
9. Venomous snakes are not to be sold to anyone under 18 or to anyone who obviously does not possess the knowledge or experience to handle venomous snakes.

Venomous reptiles which have been sold will be tagged and remain at vendors' booth until buyer is departing from show. Customer is to sign a waiver; then advise customer to return when ready to depart from the building. At this time the vendor will give the waiver and reptiles to show staff volunteers who will escort the customer as they exit the show. Any vendor not adhering to this policy and giving their customers venomous reptiles purchased will be ejected from the show immediately and no refund issued.

I am responding to you Venomous "concerns" since I take care of the protocol at his event. I suggest you give a call to Repticon with your other "concerns", I know for a fact that there are very good explanations for each ...but its not my place to answer those.

By the way .... Repticon has had no "accidents" at any of there hot shows.

Jim Keenan
www.preservevenomous.com

Nothing negative about my post Jim. Just concerns that ARE legit. Don't think I am the only one that has those concerns. Many do, and rightfully so.

Repticon may have not had any accidents YET. The possibility of accidents can happen even in the " designated area " Jim. By the time the accident happens, the " designated area " won't even mean anything.

Thank you for showing the protocol for having venomous at the show. Seems like a lot of work for a dangerous possibility to happen, eh? Is it really worth it?

Repticon made a post on a public forum about this show, and Repticon has made it public knowledge about how they run their show, on what is called a public website. Due to this, there is no reason for me to email anyone in Repticon about my concerns. They can make public about their practices, but no one in the herp community can publicly voice any concerns? See how it is supposed to work both ways?

I also spent way more time talking about other concerns than the venomous issue as well, Jim.

Thanks for your input!

Originally Posted by DISCERN

Nothing negative about my post Jim. Just concerns that ARE legit. Don't think I am the only one that has those concerns. Many do, and rightfully so.

Repticon may have not had any accidents YET. The possibility of accidents can happen even in the " designated area " Jim. By the time the accident happens, the " designated area " won't even mean anything.

Thank you for showing the protocol for having venomous at the show. Seems like a lot of work for a dangerous possibility to happen, eh? Is it really worth it?

Repticon made a post on a public forum about this show, and Repticon has made it public knowledge about how they run their show, on what is called a public website. Due to this, there is no reason for me to email anyone in Repticon about my concerns. They can make public about their practices, but no one in the herp community can publicly voice any concerns? See how it is supposed to work both ways?

I also spent way more time talking about other concerns than the venomous issue as well, Jim.

Thanks for your input!

Billy, I think its negative because you posted this here before you actually tried to find out from the promoters. If anyone else has concerns they too are welcome to call. I mean it makes more sense to call the promoter than to post it on any forum.

People and rules are set in place to prevent accidents...
Your concern for its worth has no bearing on this. If you are trying to find out if its worth your time to set up and sell hots ...well you'll just have to get a table and find out.

Repticon made a post about an upcoming event, you went to the Repticon website and cut and paste things you felt needed to be addressed. The better thing to do would have called someone on the team. Which leads to me believe you have a different agenda. JMO


Curious ...are you the voice of the many ?
Does anyone use the phone anymore ?

I will end this right here, I addressed your concerns. If you need to talk on it further you have my number. If you want to talk with a Repticon team member ...numbers can be found on the website.

Originally Posted by Jim Keenan

Billy, I think its negative because you posted this here before you actually tried to find out from the promoters. If anyone else has concerns they too are welcome to call. I mean it makes more sense to call the promoter than to post it on any forum.

People and rules are set in place to prevent accidents...
Your concern for its worth has no bearing on this. If you are trying to find out if its worth your time to set up and sell hots ...well you'll just have to get a table and find out.

Repticon made a post about an upcoming event, you went to the Repticon website and cut and paste things you felt needed to be addressed. The better thing to do would have called someone on the team. Which leads to me believe you have a different agenda. JMO


Curious ...are you the voice of the many ?
Does anyone use the phone anymore ?

I will end this right here, I addressed your concerns. If you need to talk on it further you have my number. If you want to talk with a Repticon team member ...numbers can be found on the website.

Sorry Jim, no agenda happening at all. Just simple concerns. Why would I have to call anyone if all my concerns were from knowledge made public by Repticon on the internet to begin with? What more is there to find out?

You still have not addressed the reality of what could happen, if an accident were to happen, due to vague answers, which is fine. You also did not address my concerns, but a single concern. The concerns about wild caughts, vendor stock exposed to diseases and ailments from such, and guests bringing in God-knows-what with Lord knows-what and potentially being secretly sold or exposing collections, were never addressed by you.

There are breeders in several states that have let me know that they would never vend at a Repticon show because they share the same exact concerns. Not being negative, just stating a fact. If Repticon is to be taken seriously, they should always be willing to address concerns, either by net or phone.

Take care!