Meet up for Daytona Expo

I know everyone is excited about Daytona in August, I was just wondering if anyone was going to meet up during or after the show to talk shop?

Also, just for a conversation starter, what has everyone been saving up to buy from the vendors? It's an awesome show for us ball python people, but sadly, there will only be one dart frog vendor this year.

I'm hoping to pick up a female lesser from daytona. My first BP and the start of a long addiction I'm sure :) I'm so excited! August can't get here fast enough! :banana::banana::banana::banana:

We will be there as spectators this year. We are taking the auto train down and back. It is the best way in the world to travel. You load you car onto a train, ride down in the comfort of your own cabin and in the morning when you wake up, you are in Florida! Should be fun.

Nice Don, never heard of such a thing but that is definitely my style of travel!

Rosey, you will definitely find a female lesser from someone there.

I need to start thinking about what I want to look for... Maybe a new dart frog? I would love a calico or sugar, but I think they are still out of my price range.

This will be my first reptile show ever. I'm excited XD


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I'll be going there too :)

I'm saving up my money and collecting supplies, but I honestly have no idea what I'll buy until I'm there. I usually go with a plan, but I end up going crazy over every reptile there, and before I know it, I'm loading up my car with like 10 different species of snakes, ha ha. It is always so much fun though.

However, I do know that I'm going to get some leopard geckos at this event, because I've been dying to get involved with the species!

Just out of curiosity, how do you bring home your new pets? Do you take a bunch of bags then leave the snakes in the car while you shop? Backpack?

I've always gone for smaller reptiles, so it's never been hard to transport them.

Transporting them home definitely needs a plan because it will be so hot. Do not leave anything live in your car! Cracking the windows will not help! I would even suggest having someone go crank the car up to get the AC going before you get in with your animals. Plan on fast food drive through on the way home. The point is, don't leave them in a hot car. It will probably be 100 degrees plus in that hot parking lot, and even hotter in a shut car.

The vendors supple deli cups and snake bags for the animals they sell. You will get a free "goodie bag" with like a sticker and some trial fish food. We usually put animals in that while we are walking around or just hold them. You can bring a backpack in too.

Sometimes vendors will hold an animal that you have already paid for at the booth until you are ready to leave. Most of the animals there are going to be small, while larger adult species (blackhead pythons I saw last year) are going to have a hefty price tag and I would imagine the vendor would be happy to hold them at the booth for you till you are ready to leave.

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Originally Posted by aldebono

Transporting them home definitely needs a plan because it will be so hot. Do not leave anything live in your car! Cracking the windows will not help! I would even suggest having someone go crank the car up to get the AC going before you get in with your animals. Plan on fast food drive through on the way home. The point is, don't leave them in a hot car. It will probably be 100 degrees plus in that hot parking lot, and even hotter in a shut car.

The vendors supple deli cups and snake bags for the animals they sell. You will get a free "goodie bag" with like a sticker and some trial fish food. We usually put animals in that while we are walking around or just hold them. You can bring a backpack in too.

Sometimes vendors will hold an animal that you have already paid for at the booth until you are ready to leave. Most of the animals there are going to be small, while larger adult species (blackhead pythons I saw last year) are going to have a hefty price tag and I would imagine the vendor would be happy to hold them at the booth for you till you are ready to leave.

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Just to let you know, I personally don't keep them in the car. I was just asking what everyone else does out of interest.

My system involves leaving the snakes with my friend's younger sister and her little friend (they are like 12) who will watch them for us while we go hunt down our favorite morphs or look at the auctions. The kids love playing with the snakes, and I trust them (plus I give them a free hatchling corn snake for their work).

I'm going to have to ship any reptiles I pick up there. Shipyourreptiles is supposed to be there the last I checked.

I'm most likely going to pick up a female hognose. That, or another ball python might catch my eye. Though I'm really hoping to find a juvenile black throat monitor.

We should all try and meet a couple of the other members while we're down there. Unfortunately I don't have a bp.net shirt, so that won't be my give away.

I always make it to Daytona. I don't know that I'll be buying anything, in fact, I've been considering cutting down.

But I love to go see everything and it always seems to inspire me to work harder towards my reptile goals. I'd love to meet up with anyone from the board here.

If you have a hotel/motel room, be aware that normally the rule is "no pets". So be discreet! Also, you can not bring animals INTO the show, even if you just bought the animal AT the show. So if you buy something and leave the show for lunch, don't count on being able to walk back in with the animal. If you leave the show, make sure you've got your wristband so you can get back in(like go for lunch or to get something).

There can be a really long line to get in, especially before they open(if you get there early), but don't fret, just chat up the other people standing next to you. After all, this is a huge show full of other herp-loving folks. The line moves fast once they open up too.

Where do we want to meet? I will be there Saturday.

Do you know if they are selling adult ball pythons or at least sub adult ball pythons? Also, how early should I get there to be first in line?

Oh yeah, they should be selling all kinds of ball pythons, as well as many other species.

Also, Angela, I don't know the area or the situation enough yet to know when/where to meet, however I should be there for most of the week to figure everything out. I could send a pm when I get down there. We could try to get a group of us members to eat later to share all the nice finds and new animals we got, :snake:

I want to go again this year, but am debating whether to make it a day trip on the bike, or ride up there for the weekend and get a room. I don't think I'll be buying anything except maybe stuff for the tanks, books, or whatnot. I think I'd like to stay at 4 snakes for now, seems to be the right number for me to have the time needed for them.

Virus,

We could always meet inside for lunch. There is an area with seating and food vendors. That way, people won't have to worry about what they are going to do with their animals after the show if they don't have a hotel room.

Are you going to be vending?

For the people who are going to be there Saturday, we can meet at the "food court" tables or a vendor booth at 12:00.

I would love to meet some fellow herpers :D Being a super newbie myself, I don't know anyone in the hobby / addiction yet. I don't have a bp.net shirt, the only reptile shirt I have is a huge pro-exotics shirt I won at last years expo lol. I hope to be there at 10a, assuming I don't completely lose track of time I will definitely swing by the food area and look for you guys to introduce myself / put some faces to names. :gj:
Edit: Or a vendor booth, wherever :) I'll be all over the place like a kid in a candy store.

I think I'll need to get some sort of herp shirt for identification. Name tags of your username and real name would be so helpful!

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Originally Posted by ReptileJenna

Do you know if they are selling adult ball pythons or at least sub adult ball pythons? Also, how early should I get there to be first in line?

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There's not telling - HOURS before the doors open. But I don't think it really matters if you are first in line or not - there's a ton to see.

I'll be easy to identify. I'll have a green shirt with a large logo of ours on the back and a small logo and my name "Don" on the front. Be sure to say hello!

I don't like standing in line too much, so I usually arrive about 30 minutes AFTER they open, at which point all the people who had been standing in line are inside and I don't have to wait... usually.

Even when I got there super early, standing in line wasn't too bad.

I don't know that I'll be there on saturday(work), but I know I can attend on Sunday. I may drive down after work on saturday depending on what time.

When I decide which shirt I'm wearing, I'll post.

OK, just booked a room for that Friday and Saturday, so I should definitely be there, and would love to meet up some fellow BP.N folks. I'm sure I can find some distinctive snake-related shirt in my closet, and I'll keep an eye on this thread for a meeting time and location.

You know, we could all get the cheap sticker name tags and just write "BP.net" on them.

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Originally Posted by wolfy-hound

You know, we could all get the cheap sticker name tags and just write "BP.net" on them.

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I'm too forgetful to remember to buy that. I'll just use some foil tape and a sharpie. :D

Yea I am definitely thinking Duct Tape.

Oh man, we'd all look interesting with duct tape on our shirts.

I finally booked the flight and hotel room for the week of the 13-20. I'm pretty exciteed now that it's a definite. Also, no, I will not be vending this year.

Good thought! What is everyone going to be looking for? I know I'll be on the prowl for a good deal on a female axanthic hognose, a pied or axanthic female ball python, and a juvenile black throat monitor.

I just booked my room today as well. Pretty reasonable at the Hilton which is right across the street. Nice if you are carpooling like we are and not everyone wants to stay all day long.

I am going to be looking for a female co-dom. No clue what yet though!

I didn't book at the Hilton, so I'm going to be a few blocks down the road.

Oh, and lunch inside would be a great idea.

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Originally Posted by Virus

I didn't book at the Hilton, so I'm going to be a few blocks down the road.

Oh, and lunch inside would be a great idea.

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Me and my boyfriend booked about five minutes away from the hilton. It provides free breakfast and Internet :)


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Me any the girlfriend are going to be staying at the Plaza Ocean Club. :gj:

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Originally Posted by Virus

Me any the girlfriend are going to be staying at the Plaza Ocean Club. :gj:

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I think we are at a holiday inn along the beach. Im not sure. The boyfriend booked. I just smiled and said how much? Lol


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I'm in the Hilton! Wanted to be close to the action.

For those who may not be there on Saturday, the Sunday people can meet at the same time and place to avoid confusion.

And yea, I am thinking name tags with forum name and real name are going to be a must.

What female single gene female co-dom should I get? I have males of spider, butter, cinnamon, and pinstripe. And female morphs are spider and pastel. Under $300? Probably will get an awesome Mojave.

Mojave and a pastel :) I'm sure you can get both for $300 if your lucky


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No hotel for us. We're just going to drive up for the show. Only about 45min drive :D

I think a sweet mojave would be great for your collection :gj:

Who will be there for Sunday?

I'm going to try and be there each day. I apparently spend too much time at the local pet store as it is.

A mojave would be nice. I was considering picking one up if I found a ghostave male for a decent rate.

I'm going to be there both days! Not really planning on making any purchases, but we know how that goes lol


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I will be at a La Quinta on Speedway Blvd. Not terribly far. I am thinking of attending the auction Saturday night, but I am also combining this trip with a little photography (local model-wannabes) so not sure when I'll be doing what now.

New news! I should be there about 1pm or so on saturday!

I wish I could see you this year Theresa!

Well, possibly no snakes this year. I loaned my male het pied out on a breeding "favor" and getting one of his pied female hatchlings!

Wont hurt to keep my eyes open for that mojave still...

But I am definitely picking up two Brazilian Yellow Head (D. tinctorius) froglets from Josh's Frogs this year.

I should be there about 1 pm, so I should be able to meet folks, as long as everyone doesn't take off right after noon!

I'll try to locate my BP.net shirt... it's around here somewhere. Failing that, I'll just stick a BP.net marked sticker on me.

yeah its only a 2 hour drive for me so ill just drive there both days lol and i dont plan on getting anything because i got a great deal on a albino breeding group but who knows i do really need a cinnamon lol

10 days! *Squueeeeee* I'm so freakin excited :D My empty cage is so tempting me to craiglist..must..resist...10 more days...

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Originally Posted by RoseyReps

10 days! *Squueeeeee* I'm so freakin excited :D My empty cage is so tempting me to craiglist..must..resist...10 more days...

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I said the same thing. But I still went and place a bid on a lesser this past Thursday. I'm such a sucker :/


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I found a pretty little girl about 2hrs away for sale...$200. I was going to go see her this weekend. I talked myself out of it because I know I would have ended up buying her. I am holding out for the expo because I've never even seen a lesser in person, and I want to be able to look at them and compare. (Seen a zillion pictures online, but we all know how that goes)

The excitement is killing me! I just had to vent here with people who understand my excitement of my first bp (and morph!). Hubby doesn't get excited with me lol. He's sweet and smiles while I ramble on about it, but always nice to share excitement with fellow herp lovers :D He's come a long way though! When we first started dating he didn't like snakes at all, now I'm able to get a bp and he even pointed out a dark clown he thought was pretty while I was browsing WOBP the other night. :banana::banana:

I will be there Saturday. I do not think i will be getting anything. I do have an empty cage but i have to wait. i have a trade on some geckos next week. so i must resist!
I most likely will be picking up water bowels and fake plants. who knows, i might pick up some colubrids >w< I just love them!

I'm not planning on buying anything myself. Until I get rid of the african fat tails, I don't think I'll buy anything else, and I've got 24 eggs in the incubator to wait on too.

But you never know.

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Originally Posted by RoseyReps

I found a pretty little girl about 2hrs away for sale...$200. I was going to go see her this weekend. I talked myself out of it because I know I would have ended up buying her. I am holding out for the expo because I've never even seen a lesser in person, and I want to be able to look at them and compare. (Seen a zillion pictures online, but we all know how that goes)

The excitement is killing me! I just had to vent here with people who understand my excitement of my first bp (and morph!). Hubby doesn't get excited with me lol. He's sweet and smiles while I ramble on about it, but always nice to share excitement with fellow herp lovers :D He's come a long way though! When we first started dating he didn't like snakes at all, now I'm able to get a bp and he even pointed out a dark clown he thought was pretty while I was browsing WOBP the other night. :banana::banana:

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I know what you mean! I look at amazing pictures of these snakes on my off days... and I can't wait to see them in person. They all look amazing to me in pictures, i bet they look twice as good up close and personal. My butter girl i got was so young and very pretty when i got her at 125g. Now she looks three times as good as I remember her. Her color is getting better and better with every shed. I love her she's gorgeous. I wasn't planning on getting a lesser at all, I just thought this girl was so beautiful I had to bid on her!. I can't wait for the expo... i know I'll end up buying something I just wonder what I'll end up getting!

I'm so excited for Daytona. Its almost here! I'm taking total of empty cages, and trying to get as much room possible for new arrivals. Its to bad my new freedom breeder rack hasn't come yet... I could only imagine the possibilities.

Anyways, do you guys know if they have well-priced supplies at the show, specifically tanks, substrate, and general enclosures? I'm planning on buying some more tanks at Walmart (they sell pretty cheap ten gallons), but if they have better priced tanks at the show, then I'd much prefer to wait until then!

Thanks!

I don't remember ever seeing tanks at the shows. Most of the attendees and vendors don't use tanks.

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