Inside Repticon Atlanta: 2026 Kickoff and Must-See Vendors

Lisa Parker

Welcome back, everyone, to the Repticon Reptile Shows podcast! Lisa here, still ringing from my last kazoo solo at Port Charlotte—oh, that poor security guard. But today, we’re kicking off the 2026 circuit with an Atlanta preview that, frankly, I think sets the pace for the whole season. Repticon Atlanta is coming up January 3rd and 4th at the Gwinnett County Fairground Entertainment Building & Expo Center in Lawrenceville, Georgia—put it in your calendars now, or I’ll come find your phone and do it for you! I love this spot, it’s big enough for all the vendors, families, the energy, but not so massive you lose your mom at the cotton candy stand, you know?

Jay Tacey

Jay here! I gotta say, Atlanta always has this post-holiday vibe—that sort of, “Let’s do something FUN but indoors” energy you just don’t get anywhere else. Working with zoos for so long, I still get a rush seeing everyone show up in thick sweaters and leave carrying heat packs and a new favorite gecko. It’s the opening show of 2026, so there’s this hype—vendors come ready, it’s everybody’s first burst after the busy holidays. And I always notice, people show up curious. Even if it’s their first expo—or, like, their tenth—they want to learn, see what’s new, maybe find a snake they never thought was their thing.

Michael Arnold

Absolutely, Jay. Michael here. And let’s be honest—the schedule’s fantastic. Saturday, doors at nine; Sunday, a little sleep-in, it’s ten. Great for parents, right? I mean, my boys’ll be there bugging me about the Pacman frogs by 10:05, guaranteed. There’s also just something inviting about this event. Atlanta’s grown into a destination, not just for the seasoned herpers, but for families, scouts, classrooms—everyone. The Gwinnett venue is convenient, well-lit, and honestly, roomy enough you can breathe even if there’s a boa constrictor right over there.

Lisa Parker

Yeah, and speaking of breathing—look, I can’t not tell this story—last time, the vendor roll-in on Saturday morning got off to a slow start, everybody dragging after the holidays, so I whipped out the kazoo…instant energy in the room. Had folks—grown men, mind you—dancing next to their deli cups, just grinning and waving. It’s silly, but it set this tone, like, “We’re here to have fun, AND learn.” Atlanta’s that kind of expo—you feel it when you walk in.

Guy Mc Farlane

I wish I’d recorded that, Lisa. It really does make a difference, having those small moments. Guy here. Atlanta is unique in how it blends professionalism with that element of play, which is why it always gets such a strong family turnout. And every year, more vendors bring something educational or new, pushing the event further. For anyone considering their first Repticon, this is an ideal start—good energy, good food, you see the full span of the hobby.

Jay Tacey

That’s spot on, Guy. And let’s not forget—this is where you catch all the latest projects, the debut morphs, the vendors just itching to show off what they’ve been working on all winter. It’s like a sneak peek before the circuit really gets rolling.

Michael Arnold

And for folks who’ve followed the show—whether through our series or coming in person—Atlanta’s always where the stories really start for the year. So, if you come, introduce yourself. If you hear Lisa’s kazoo, you know you’re at the right place.

Michael Arnold

Alright, let’s dig into some vendors who, honestly, are worth peeking at no matter how crowded the aisles are. First up, Steve’s Morphs out of Brooksville, Florida. Steve’s the sort of guy who eats, sleeps, and breathes Ball Python genetics. I mean, Steve maintains a perfect rating—over 400 reviews on MorphMarket, all five stars. If you’re a Ball Python person, it’s not just the animals—he’s always testing out new morphs, like that Zebra gene he’s made sort of a thing. He’s constantly educating, not just selling. You’ll probably catch him giving a spontaneous genetics lesson at his table or chatting in a podcast at his booth.

Lisa Parker

Yeah, I’ve seen it! Steve will pull a kid aside and start explaining incomplete dominant genes like he’s describing a football play. And he makes it approachable—even if you’re just there to “look,” you’ll leave knowing ten times as much about Ball Python breeding than you did ten minutes before. And every animal is healthy, labeled, it’s not just about the sales—people go back to Steve because they trust him, and he makes sure everyone leaves happy, especially first-time buyers.

Jay Tacey

That’s the thing—Steve’s just as obsessive about his ethics as he is about his genes. It’s not only beautiful animals, it’s the way he runs his operation. I talked to some hobbyists last year and they said the “Steve guarantee” was that you get honesty and solid support—even after the show. Everyone raves about that seven-day health guarantee, and, well, you know, you can’t overstate what that does for community trust.

Guy Mc Farlane

Right—now, Big Dog Reptiles from North Carolina, I’m always impressed by their dual specialty. They don’t just bring crested geckos—they bring their own custom bioactive enclosures. If you’re into naturalistic habitats, their table is like a mini jungle. It’s not just a sales pitch, you can see the geckos inside the kinds of environments they actually thrive in. There’s an artistry to their setups—plus, they’re receptive to questions, whether you’re curious about misting cycles or what makes a substrate truly “bioactive.” It’s practical and visually inspiring at the same time.

Lisa Parker

And those enclosures aren’t just for show—they sell them right there, so you can grab a gecko and a ready-to-go habitat and skip the stress. It’s perfect for new keepers, honestly. And the folks at Big Dog are super transparent about what goes into their builds—there’s this focus on both animal and human enrichment, like the ultimate home for your gecko and a centerpiece for your living room.

Michael Arnold

Exactly. And then you’ve got FrogDaddy, straight from Bessemer City, North Carolina. They might have the most playful energy of the show—that store’s like walking into a jungle-themed candy shop for frog lovers. Dart frogs, vivarium plants, isopods, even their own guidebooks—they cover everything amphibia-crazy. The team at FrogDaddy is as serious about education as they are about stocking hard-to-find supplies. I can’t tell you how many beginners have come up, clutching a FrogDaddy info sheet, asking for a tour around someone else’s vivarium.

Jay Tacey

And don’t forget just how expansive their product list is. Whether you need bromeliads for a vivarium or step-by-step guidance on keeping dart frogs, FrogDaddy’s got you. I probably spend too much time in their booth asking about their latest plant shipments. And the staff is approachable, too—they’ll answer the same question four times if that’s what it takes to make you feel comfortable.

Guy Mc Farlane

It’s vendors like these, honestly, that anchor Atlanta as a show. You can walk out with animals, sure, but also with real, hands-on knowledge you just can’t get from YouTube. You see the care, the setups, and get to talk to people who genuinely want you to succeed as an owner.

Guy Mc Farlane

So let’s dig a little deeper—because honestly, what’s made expos like Atlanta stand out in recent years is how much focus vendors are putting on being both ethical and educational, and—well, creative, too. Coming from a conservation background, what always impresses me is the way responsible breeders demonstrate their practices right on the show floor. If you’re a family shopping for your child’s first reptile, or a seasoned herpetologist, seeing setups, feeding plans, real genetics charts—that’s the sort of transparency you want. Steve’s Morphs is constantly sharing insight about genetics and health tracking; Big Dog Reptiles blends that artistry into their bioactive builds in a way that truly mimics natural habitats. And FrogDaddy, they’re actually handing out care guides and laying out step-by-step support, not just hoping you’ll figure it all out online.

Michael Arnold

Yeah, and the difference this makes for customers is huge. I mean—when you have that level of support, people leave with realistic expectations. Especially at expos, you get to—uh, “kick the tires,” so to speak, on enclosures and ask real questions before you buy. Steve won’t sugarcoat genetic outcomes. Big Dog will tell you straight if a gecko isn’t beginner-friendly. It’s just a more honest transaction—and, at the risk of sounding dramatic, it makes you feel like you’re joining a community, not just buying a pet.

Jay Tacey

I’ve worked in zoos for years, and I can’t tell you enough—when people see a well-set enclosure, with all those enrichment details, it transforms their understanding of what animal care is supposed to look like. Even at home, honestly, I’ve drawn inspiration from setups I’ve seen at Repticon vendors—you get pros showing you the little tweaks, the plant pairings, or why isopods matter for bioactive tanks. And that’s real education—because it’s hands-on, and it’s happening live.

Lisa Parker

Absolutely, and you know, for first-timers coming to Atlanta—don’t ever feel shy about asking questions. These vendors LOVE it. Grab care sheets, play with the substrate, really dig into what makes each animal happy. That’s the best way to start, especially after seeing families last year connect with vendors and come back months later as “experts” with their own setup pictures. It’s what we live for!

Michael Arnold

And even for more seasoned keepers, you can spot the difference when a vendor has real pride in their ethics. It’s not about flashy displays, it’s about sharing actual husbandry tips, being open about health histories, and letting folks make informed choices. That’s part of why folks come back to Atlanta every year, honestly—there are always new things to learn and details to absorb.

Guy Mc Farlane

To anyone who hasn’t been to a Repticon before, my biggest tip is to approach each conversation with curiosity. Pin vendors down, ask about diet cycles, light settings, or—if you’re like me—what inspires their habitat designs. There’s no substitute for seeing responsible breeding and setup support right in front of you—it genuinely shapes how people care for these animals back home.

Jay Tacey

Well said, Guy. And, you know, tuning back to what we talked about in previous episodes—this focus on community, quality, and education builds trust, and that’s what has kept the hobby growing in the right direction. I always leave Atlanta energized for the rest of the year, and I hope everyone listening lands a little inspiration, too.

Lisa Parker

Alright, I hear the closing music in my head—even if it’s a kazoo—but I want to say: thanks, Michael, Guy, Jay. You all make these shows what they are, and so do the folks listening. Come by the show, say hi, ask all the questions, and let’s make 2026 the best season yet.

Jay Tacey

Always a pleasure, Lisa. Hope to see loads of new and familiar faces in Atlanta—don’t be afraid to nerd out at the vendor tables. That’s the point!

Michael Arnold

Thanks everyone. See you on the expo floor—and if you spot me, say hi. I’ll be the one trying to convince my family we have space for just one more snake.

Guy Mc Farlane

Take care everyone. Come for the animals—stay for the stories. We’ll catch you at the next show!