Repticon Pembroke Pines Preview: Vendor Spotlights and Show Highlights

Jay Tacey

Hey everyone, welcome back to Repticon Reptile Shows! I’m Jay Tacey, and we are counting down to Repticon Pembrook Pines—you know, the big one at Charles F. Dodge City Center, September 6th and 7th. With me are Michael, Lisa, and Guy—ready to jump right into some of the show’s vendor spotlights. So, first up, let's talk geckos: 10/20 Gecko Gang from Port St. Lucie has really been making waves, especially among crested gecko fans. What I love about them is their focus on the designer morphs—stuff like Lilly White and those crazy Phantom Eye Gargoyles. It’s the kind of work that takes patience and transparency. And I mean, they’re not just about the sales, right? They’re out there, educating, staying open about being newer breeders, but always pushing for community growth and high standards.

Michael Arnold

Yeah, and you can tell they’re hungry to learn. Everybody loves a vendor who says, “I’m here to grow,” instead of pretending they know it all. Their table at Orlando last year had people stopping for, like, what, hours? The Lilly White geckos they brought were just insane. Pricey, too! But honestly, when you see them up close at a show, it’s—uh, you can’t really get the same vibe from a screen.

Jay Tacey

Absolutely! I remember—maybe this was a couple years back—I walked past this vendor with a Lilly White crested in a display cube. It wasn’t just the morph, but the way they explained the genetics to kids at the table. That's why expos matter. You get those real, hands-on moments. And 10/20’s making sure even a newcomer gets why these animals are special, not just “put your money down and go.”

Lisa Parker

And talk about Florida flavor—Beachside Chameleons takes it to the next level! Their Panther Chameleons, those colors are wild, like somebody just Photoshopped them. Did you see the photos they post? Their branding is everywhere—Carpet Pythons too, can’t forget those. They’re family-run, and I always spot them just talking with families, answering a million questions about diet, humidity, all the basics. It’s not just sales, it’s this whole regional, supportive vibe; it gives first-time keepers a lot of confidence.

Guy Mc Farlane

I appreciate vendors who build up local identity, you know? There’s something about seeing a breeder specialize so deeply—Panther Chameleons and Carpet Pythons for Beachside. It tells me they’re selective for quality. Their growing online presence makes sense when they’re showing off those bright, bold morphs. Plus, being in Melbourne gives them that Florida roots thing, which really resonates with the regional community.

Jay Tacey

Yeah, and these aren’t mega-corporate breeders; they're approachable. That hands-on approach is a real through-line for good expos—bridging newcomers and seasoned keepers. All right, we could geek out on gecko morphs all day, but Lisa, why don't you steer us into the creative side of the show?

Lisa Parker

Ha! Yes, the creative side—my favorite part, other than walking into a venue before sunrise. Let’s talk For Real 3D. They take herpetology and just—bam—turn it into art. It’s wild. The first time I saw their booth, my jaw dropped. It was this wall of glowing 3D-printed dragons and uromastyx and panther chameleon models… there were families parked there for, I think, over an hour. Every kid wanted to touch everything, and the adults, too! Plus, they’ve got this monthly “print of the month” subscription, so even if you miss them at the show, you can keep getting surprises in your mailbox. I love seeing stuff like that—they make the hobby accessible for people without the time or space for real animals but who want to be a part of the scene.

Michael Arnold

And they run, like, 125 printers or something, right? That’s nuts. They do shirts and tumblers, too, but it’s really the models that get people. I saw a tegu that was so realistic I almost tried to feed it a cricket—okay, not really, but y’know. Their presence at shows keeps getting bigger; it’s that “wow” factor, whether you’re a herper or just tagging along with the family.

Guy Mc Farlane

And then there’s Aloha Kai Lani. They’re not just making laser-engraved home décor for the sake of it. They blend in that Hawaiian flavor with a deeper mission—their sales directly feed back into their animal rescue efforts. That kind of synergy—art with advocacy—feels like an evolving trend at expos. You can buy something beautiful, and know it’s helping future rescues. That’s meaningful engagement.

Jay Tacey

Exactly; plus, expos like Repticon Pembrook Pines get the best out of creative vendors. These aren’t just t-shirts and stickers for kids. It’s real design, driven by a love for animals and community. Reminds me of how, in Birmingham, we saw art vendors totally steal the spotlight—people were still buzzing about their stuff weeks later.

Lisa Parker

Oh totally, Jay! The best part is that Aloha Kai Lani does this storytelling thing at their booth. Like, at our last Atlanta show, they talked about opening their own sanctuary someday—so every coaster or mug is also a step toward that. And THAT is what keeps people coming back, I think. It’s personal connection you can't get from just browsing online.

Michael Arnold

It’s also the best place to snag a conversation starter for your coffee table. Okay, I’m drifting into shopping mode. Where were we?

Lisa Parker

Reptile art and rescue—best combo! Guy, you’re up, let’s hear your take on breeders who put ethics and experience front-and-center.

Guy Mc Farlane

Gladly! So we’ve got two strong examples of what I’d call integrity breeding—Garriga Morphs and House of Cards Beardies. Garriga Morphs is local to Pembroke Pines and Alejandro, the owner, has decades, not just years, under his belt breeding boa constrictors. These aren’t your standard fare. He’s curated lines like Lipstick Sunglow and Purple Haze—if you care about bloodlines, this is the real deal. What I particularly respect is Garriga runs a closed system. He doesn’t do casual trades, no “flipping” of animals—it’s about genetic health, not just churning out babies to meet demand.

Jay Tacey

And that’s rare! Most shows will have at least one or two people who, you know, they breed for numbers. But with Garriga—each animal has a story, a carefully tracked lineage. Again, you don’t get that from clicking around online.

Lisa Parker

And the transparency, right? He’s on Facebook all the time, posting breeding updates, answering questions. I remember at National Reptile Breeders’ Expo, someone asked him about inbreeding, and he just launched into this whole detailed breakdown of how he prevents it. Honest, nerdy, approachable—that’s what we want.

Guy Mc Farlane

Absolutely, Lisa. On the other end we’ve got House of Cards Beardies. They specialize in bearded dragons and ball pythons, and they treat every animal as a family member, not inventory. I actually visited a small breeder like that years back. Every dragon had a name, not a number—one of those setups where if you tried to talk business too fast, the breeder would slow you down and introduce you to her “scaly kids” one by one. It changes how you see the whole hobby. House of Cards has that vibe. Every animal is well-socialized, handled often, and their buyers know they’re getting a pet, not just a product.

Michael Arnold

Yeah, and they come highly rated. Everyone raves about shipping safety, their clear guarantees, and their honesty. I mean, shipping issues happen—weekends, temps, whatever. But they’ve got real policies, and they stick to them. Makes a huge difference.

Jay Tacey

What I love—this is honestly a thread we’ve seen across our past episodes—is that genuine, hands-on care and a focus on education keep popping up as a hallmark of the best vendors. Not just at Pembroke Pines, but from Birmingham to Bradenton to Salisbury. The real pros take education and animal welfare as seriously as the genetics.

Lisa Parker

That’s right, Jay. Okay, we’ve covered the art, ethics, and everything in between. Let’s help folks get ready to make the most of the show—what should they expect day-of?

Lisa Parker

All right! So if you’re heading to Repticon Pembroke Pines, here’s what you actually need to know. This is a super-family-friendly event—think tons of live animal displays, rare species you almost never see in person, and vendor tables packed with hands-on experiences. Seriously, budget your time because there’s always something happening at every corner of the show floor.

Michael Arnold

Yeah, and come prepared. I always forget at least one thing. Bring a notepad or just use your phone for questions you want to ask vendors—stuff like animal care, enclosure tips, even what to expect after your first week with a new animal. A reusable water bottle, some snacks (the food lines get long), and a tote bag are lifesavers. Oh, and hand sanitizer. Lots of reasons for that at a reptile expo, trust me.

Guy Mc Farlane

Networking’s big, too. Shows like this aren’t just about buying; they’re about building connections. Talk to breeders—even if you’re not buying yet. Get their cards or QR codes, join their social channels. That little follow-up after the expo? Sometimes that’s how you get first dibs on a special morph or even educational workshops down the line.

Jay Tacey

And don’t be shy about signing up for the hands-on sessions. There’s usually a live handling station—great for kids or anyone new to reptiles. Be sure to check the event schedule for workshops and demos. Sometimes vendors do show specials or exclusive promos—so those aren’t listed online. Be there in person, ask questions—that’s how you get the good stuff.

Lisa Parker

Basically, stay curious, stay respectful, and soak up every minute. Every show’s a chance to meet a future mentor, a new friend, or even a new family member of the reptilian variety.

Jay Tacey

Couldn’t have said it better. That wraps up our Pembroke Pines preview—thanks to everyone listening. We’ll be back after the show with more highlights and stories. Michael, Lisa, Guy—always a pleasure sharing the mics with you all.

Michael Arnold

Right back at you, Jay! Can’t wait to see what surprises this show brings.

Lisa Parker

Same here—thanks, everybody! See you at the venue, and bring your questions!

Guy Mc Farlane

Cheers, everyone. See you on the show floor!