Repticon Atlanta Weekend Guide

Jay Tacey

Welcome back to Repticon Reptile Shows! I'm Jay Tacey, and, folks, we've spun the globe again—this time we've landed squarely in metro Atlanta. October 18th and 19th, 2025, Gwinnett County Fairgrounds, the two-building spectacular… you know, this isn't just another local show. It’s, well—what do you call it, Lisa? Controlled chaos? You get families, breeders, first-timers, you name it.

Lisa Parker

Controlled chaos is... yeah, that’s actually pretty generous, Jay! So, I'm Lisa Parker, and let me tell you, Atlanta brings energy more than just about any city. The Entertainment Building and the Expo Center, they're both packed. You can feel the buzz. It's families with strollers darting between buildings, kids hanging onto their new “pet” containers—

Michael Arnold

—And then there’s, like, the vendors themselves, Lisa. They feed off it. I’m Michael Arnold, and to me, this show is extra special: you see thousands—thousands—of reptiles and amphibians. But it's not just a marketplace. Nah, it's tactile, it’s hands-on, everybody touching, asking, learning. It’s—actually, I’m always kind of amazed how many non-reptile folks just show up out of pure curiosity.

Guy Mc Farlane

It's Guy here, and I’m gonna agree with Michael—there’s a strong family vibe, but also education. The whole atmosphere’s geared toward making things accessible for everyone, right? So, whether you know your morphs or you don’t know a ball python from a pine snake, you’ll walk away with a little more knowledge than you came in with. And it’s all happening in both buildings, at once, which… logistically, is actually rather impressive, Lisa. How do you—

Lisa Parker

I lose count of my steps on show day, it’s like a marathon! But that’s the point—the magic’s in that movement, that buzz. Whenever someone says “Repticon’s just for snake people”—nope, nope, and NOPE. If you’re even slightly animal-curious, this is for you.

Jay Tacey

And Atlanta, specifically, is kind of a flagship now. So, if you haven’t booked your calendar, or you’re thinking, “Is it worth splitting a whole weekend?” Trust us—it is. And, as we’ve seen with other cities like Denver and Hickory, the structure and flow of the show make a world of difference in how people engage.

Lisa Parker

Alright, should we jump to the vendors? Because I have opinions—

Michael Arnold

I mean, choosing four for the spotlight was basically impossible. But let’s!

Lisa Parker

Okay, vendor deep-dive! First up, A Shore Thing Exotics. Out of Statesville, North Carolina—these folks are family-run, been doing this since ’93. They’re superstars for their cave geckos and dart frogs, and you know what I love? Everything’s captive bred, nothing wild-caught. Plus, they are truly about educating families, not just selling animals.

Guy Mc Farlane

Yeah, Lisa, they’ve built a reputation on ethical practices. I think one of the keys is their variety—everything from cave geckos to dart frogs. You’ll get the breeders themselves chatting with new keepers about husbandry, diet—whatever you want to learn. There’s 30+ years of real expertise behind their tables. I do appreciate vendors who are present at expos for the hobby, not just the business.

Michael Arnold

Absolutely. So, next—American Made Exotics. Portsmouth, Virginia, but they’re legendary all through the Southeast. Matt Shifflett runs it—super approachable, encyclopedic about ball python morphs. Their booth has... it’s honestly like a living dictionary of morphs: Albino, Clown, Pied, Lavender, Puzzle—I lose track. But it’s not just snakes, it’s customer support. People rave about their guarantees, their education materials, and I’ve had people email me just to say how well they were treated at the Atlanta expo.

Jay Tacey

Yeah, Matt’s reputation, it’s beyond just one show—he’s constantly available! There’s a resource library, detailed care sheets, and—if anyone’s wondering about health, sexing, even breeding history—American Made Exotics makes all that crystal clear. Transparency, you know? It’s what we always talk about—the shows become education hubs. It’s like what we saw with Sterling Exotics in Hickory, or Critical Hit Exotics back in Denver. Good vendors lift the whole hobby.

Lisa Parker

Next, and a crowd-pleaser—FrogDaddy! Out of Bessemer City, North Carolina, and they do amphibians on another level. Dart frogs, vivarium plants, invertebrates, terrarium essentials—it’s, what do kids call it? Frog heaven? Their retail space is called “Our Pond,” and there’s always a demo or a sample kit to check out. They’re so enthusiastic—they want you to succeed keeping frogs at home, not just buy one and hope for the best.

Michael Arnold

I love their resource guides. They’ve got a reputation in the dart frog scene for not just offering breadth, but for shipping quality—even Midwest hobbyists know these guys. And, fact, they stand out for their education database. I always advise newcomers to check out their “DendroBase” before even making a purchase.

Guy Mc Farlane

And for the Atlanta audience, Crestie Crazy is one you cannot pass up. They’re local—Lawrenceville, Georgia. The Soft and Supersoft Dalmatian morph Crested Geckos, I mean, they’ve kind of developed a following just for that. Then there’s their Gecko Bridge, which, if you haven’t seen it, is honestly just...a must-see creation. Plus, they actually also do custom dog leashes, which tells you how much personality comes with this vendor!

Lisa Parker

And they are all about community—not just breeding geckos but being present, giving guidance, helping folks choose their first gecko. I always send families there. It’s, like, a local institution at this point.

Jay Tacey

That’s a strong lineup—so even if you only make it a Saturday, stop by these four. And walk the whole floor, because one “hidden gem” can totally change your plans for the day. Trust me, I’ve lost track of how many “quick stops” have turned into a two-hour vendor chat—

Lisa Parker

You? Two hours? Never!

Jay Tacey

Alright, alright—point taken.

Michael Arnold

So here’s the real deal—how do you actually make the most of Repticon Atlanta? First, download the digital vendor map. It sounds obvious, but between the Entertainment Building and Expo Center, it’s easy to get lost, especially with all the tables, demos, and—well—occasional scurry of loose crickets...

Lisa Parker

Every time! That’s, like, the soundtrack for these events. But seriously—plan your route. The map lets you highlight vendors you want to visit, and I always tell people: prioritize your “must-sees,” then go roam. Both buildings have things you won’t find on the vendor list—pop-up demos, surprise displays, and stuff that just happens organically.

Guy Mc Farlane

And don’t be shy to engage with vendors. Jay, you always say: if you’re curious—ask! Where their animals came from, what’s unique about their care, the breeding story behind that gecko—it opens up stories you’d never get just browsing online.

Jay Tacey

Absolutely, Guy. If you want the full value of a reptile expo, questions are the ticket in. And don’t be afraid to write things down. Michael, you and your notebook—still a thing?

Michael Arnold

Every single show! I jot down morphs I like, breeder tips, prices… You never know when you’ll want to compare or follow up later. Also—a bit old school—bring cash. Some deals are in-person only, and, you know, phone signals can get a bit spotty inside those buildings.

Lisa Parker

Early arrival is huge. If there’s something you’ve been eyeing (especially frogs, rare geckos, or a snake from American Made Exotics), it’s probably gone by noon on Saturday. Don’t just wander up at three o’clock and expect the same selection.

Guy Mc Farlane

And keep an eye out for impromptu demos or speakers—you’ll spot them in both buildings. Some of the live sessions go unannounced but are highlights for learning about habitat design and animal behaviors. Sort of echoes what we discussed in previous episodes—Charleston, Lakeland—a lot of surprises come from just being present and curious.

Jay Tacey

Well said. Visit both halls. There’s always a corner nobody checked last time you went by—sometimes it’s where the day’s best discovery hides out. And now, to wrap up, I just hope everyone who makes it to Repticon Atlanta this year truly leans into the adventure.

Lisa Parker

Alright team, that’s a wrap for this Atlanta preview. We’ll have lots more on vendors and tricks of the trade in future episodes. Thanks for listening, and let’s see you at the fairgrounds!

Michael Arnold

Yeah, and if you see me with my notebook, come say hi—always up for a good snake story. Thanks, everybody.

Guy Mc Farlane

Until next time—cheers to you all. See you soon, and happy herping!