Birmingham Repticon Spotlight: Meet the Stars Behind the Scales

Jay Tacey

Hey everyone, welcome back to Repticon Reptile Shows! I’m Jay Tacey, and we're all here today for a very special Birmingham spotlight. If you haven’t marked your calendars already, Repticon's landing at the Trussville Civic Center August 30th and 31st, 2025. It’s not just another pet expo—it’s kinda like a carnival for animal enthusiasts, but with, uh, fewer clowns and way more geckos. What I love about these shows is just how family-focused they really are—I'll be honest, nothing quite beats seeing a kid’s eyes go wide the first time they meet a real live tarantula or snake. Where else in Birmingham can you get that?

Lisa Parker

You know, Jay, that’s honestly my favorite part too. It’s not just rows of cages—every booth is about interaction and fun. We’ve got hands-on activities, expert presentations, you can talk one-on-one with breeders, and—if you’re lucky—maybe try holding a crested gecko or even a small python. I always see parents get as into it as their kids!

Michael Arnold

Yeah! And just to echo that, it’s not like you’re wandering some sterile science museum. You’re in there with the animals, with people who actually, like, live and breathe this stuff. It’s the kind of environment where you go, “Wait—was that a giant millipede on that kid’s arm?” It’s just super cool. I’m a sucker for seeing the nervous ones end up totally fascinated five minutes later.

Jay Tacey

You know, that’s the magic right there. I remember back in the day, opening Discovery Cove—I know, different scale, but the heart's the same. I watched kids go from literally hiding behind their parents to suddenly volunteering to feed rays or touch a reptile. I’ve seen that same look at every Repticon event. There's something transformative about sharing those up-close animal moments. And that’s, honestly, why these shows matter so much to me.

Guy Mc Farlane

I agree, Jay. There’s an irreplaceable value in real-life contact, especially for young people. Textbooks are great, but seeing a live panther chameleon or watching a tarantula up close—that builds a kind of respect and curiosity that lasts. It’s awesome to see how Repticon brings out that curiosity in Birmingham families year after year.

Lisa Parker

And you know, as we’ve talked about in some of our previous episodes—like Knoxville and Johnson City—it’s that blend of learning, fun, and surprise that makes these events unforgettable for every age. You never quite know what animal or expert story is going to stick with a kid or parent. That’s the spark I look for at every show.

Michael Arnold

So let’s dive right into one of my long-time favorites—AHP Exotics. If you’ve been to a few shows, you know Bill Albright and Katie Yates are kinda legendary in this space. Bill’s been at it since the ’90s! That’s what, nearly three decades? These folks are the real deal when it comes to reptiles, amphibians, even arachnids. Their booth always draws a crowd because, honestly, where else are you gonna see both a blue-tongue skink and a Ball Python in one spot?

Lisa Parker

And it's not just about buying animals. Bill and Katie bring real expertise—like, field-collected and captive-bred species, yes, but also those stories and advice you just can’t get from a website. I remember hearing Bill talk about what it takes to provide animals for TV productions and educational events—he’s genuinely passionate about doing it right!

Jay Tacey

Yeah—I heard from Bill once that he was asked to bring a Gila monster for a TV shoot. That’s no small feat; you need a vendor who deeply understands animal care, not just someone trying to sell you something unusual. It speaks volumes to his professionalism, and the trust producers put in him. When I’ve seen families at that booth, there’s real excitement—folks realize they’re meeting an animal they might only see in a David Attenborough special—up close and healthy.

Michael Arnold

And that’s why meeting a breeder in person matters, right? We talked about this in the Columbia and Jacksonville episodes—transparency builds confidence. With Bill and Katie, you get guidance on handling, feeding, everything—they actually care what happens to the animal after it goes home with you. That’s what separates a real, trusted expo vendor from the rest.

Guy Mc Farlane

Exactly. Two-plus decades isn’t just longevity—it’s a track record. AHP Exotics’ reputation reflects deep animal knowledge, reliability, and genuine service, whether you’re a new keeper or a seasoned herper. Plus, those animal handling demos inspire respect. It’s education, not just commerce, and that strengthens the whole herpetoculture community every show.

Lisa Parker

And honestly, families just light up when they get to meet animals they never thought they’d see in person, with real experts there to answer their questions. AHP makes it an adventure for everyone, whether you’re buying or just exploring.

Lisa Parker

Now, speaking of adventures, I gotta talk about Gecko Overload—one of those vendors the creative side of me just adores. They specialize in New Caledonian geckos, and their booth? Honestly, it’s a work of art. Custom 3D-printed gecko furnishings, feeding ledges, even little gecko-themed toys—it brings a whole new level of fun to reptile keeping. And their geckos are just gorgeous; families go wild for them.

Michael Arnold

Totally. And the 3D-printed stuff isn’t just for show—it’s practical. Kids and adults both get hooked seeing how you can build a custom setup, not just grab an animal and a tank off the shelf. That creative approach, it inspires future reptile keepers. I’ve seen people come back a year later and say, “I started with a gecko, and now my whole living room’s a jungle.”

Guy Mc Farlane

Right, Michael. And for me that hits home—when I worked on enclosure designs in Abu Dhabi, that was the cornerstone: making habitats that enrich the animal’s life. What Gecko Overload does on a small scale, offering furnishings that encourage natural behaviors, is actually aligned with those bigger conservation goals. Even at these vendor tables, you can see innovation that genuinely improves animal welfare. That’s the future of this hobby, if you ask me.

Jay Tacey

And you can’t skip TikiTarantula. Their booth always feels like a curiosity shop—tarantulas, scorpions, all sorts of collectible oddities and insect jewelry. The atmosphere is wild—in the best way. For a lot of attendees, meeting a tarantula is the thing they’ll remember most about the whole weekend! Plus, their policies are buyer-friendly, and they really take time to answer questions openly. That honesty makes a big difference, especially for parents who are a little jittery around spiders and scorpions.

Lisa Parker

I agree, Jay. TikiTarantula brings something memorable for every guest, even if they leave with just a new fact or a fun photo rather than a new pet. You always see people gathered around, debating which is cooler: a green bottle blue tarantula or one of those odd little geckos. There’s something for every level of curiosity.

Guy Mc Farlane

And, in a way, that curiosity is the gateway to bigger conservation awareness. The blend of art, education, and animal welfare you see from both Gecko Overload and TikiTarantula models what the modern reptile hobby should look like—inclusive, innovative, and always looking out for both the animals and the attendees’ long-term engagement.

Michael Arnold

We’d be missing something huge if we didn’t talk about the activities and workshops at Repticon Birmingham this year. There’s way more to do than just shopping—think interactive reptile handling, building bioactive habitats, and even hands-on feeding demos. It’s a full weekend of learning experiences, not just a stroll down the vendor aisles.

Lisa Parker

And for families, especially, those workshops are like gold. Kids get a chance to meet real herpetologists, chat up conservationists, and there are Q&A sessions where no question’s too small—or too weird! We’ve had everything from “do snakes have ears?” to “what do tarantulas dream about?” It’s all about building confidence and curiosity in young animal lovers.

Guy Mc Farlane

That’s so true, Lisa. These workshops go a long way toward fostering responsible pet ownership and science literacy. When you see a child handle a bearded dragon with care, or listen intently during a conservation talk, it makes a real impact—not just for them, but for their families too. Repticon always brings in passionate experts who share real-world knowledge, not just textbook facts.

Jay Tacey

I’ve had parents come up after a session and say, “This was the highlight of our summer.” That genuine excitement—you can’t fake that. Some attendees even start volunteering or diving deeper into animal care because of one great show. And as we heard back in Memphis and Salisbury, those experiences stick, whether you came as a curious first-timer or a returning superfan.

Michael Arnold

We hear it every year: folks leave Repticon not just with a gecko or some cool herp swag, but with actual knowledge and a real appreciation for animal care. If you ask me, that’s what keeps people coming back—and what builds this community stronger every show.

Lisa Parker

Couldn’t agree more. Alright y’all, we’ll wrap it up there! Thanks for tuning in and letting us guide you through what’s coming up at Repticon Birmingham. Be sure to bring your questions, your curiosity, and maybe some hand sanitizer—just sayin’.

Jay Tacey

Yep, thanks for joining us. Whether you’re a returning attendee or just thinking about joining the fun for the first time, we can’t wait to see you there. Enjoy the animals—and maybe I’ll see you in the tarantula zone!

Guy Mc Farlane

Always a pleasure being part of these chats, everyone. Repticon Birmingham is shaping up to be another memorable one—bring the family, ask questions, and keep exploring.

Michael Arnold

Alright—goodbye from all of us at Repticon Reptile Shows. Lisa, Jay, Guy—great talking with you all. See you at the show, and stay curious, folks!

Lisa Parker

Bye y’all! See you in Birmingham, and don’t forget your kazoo—never know when you might want to join in. Take care!