Repticon Knoxville Vendor Spotlight

Lisa Parker

Hey everyone, welcome back to the Repticon Reptile Shows podcast! Lisa here—I’m super excited because today we’re putting the spotlight on Repticon Knoxville. It’s coming up January 10th and 11th, 2026, at the Jacob Building, Chilhowee Park & Exposition Center. Honestly, Knoxville’s got this special energy to it, and I just love that feeling Saturday morning, setting up before doors open. There’s this buzz—vendors rolling in lugging crates, you catch up with familiar faces, and you can almost hear the anticipation building as everybody’s putting together their tables, lining up the enclosures. For me, that’s the heart of the show: it’s community, curiosity, and yeah, a little chaos, but the fun kind.

Jay Tacey

Lisa, you totally nailed it. That early morning setup—there’s just nothing quite like it, is there? I’ve worked with zoos and aquariums all over, and I still think Repticon’s got this unique grassroots feel. It’s that blend: families walking in, breeders sharing stories, someone’s wide-eyed kid asking “What’s that?” at every other table. Knoxville seems to draw a diverse crowd, too—not just hardcore herpers or breeders, but a whole range of folks itching to learn about everything from ball pythons to, well, the more eight-legged variety! I mean, it’s hands-on, approachable, and just, you know, genuinely fun.

Guy Mc Farlane

Absolutely, Jay. And, honestly, from a conservation standpoint, these expos are valuable in their own right. Education here isn’t just formal lectures—it's the informal chats you have walking down the aisles. I’ll hear people discussing feeder insect diets or debating the best bioactive setups. What I appreciate with Repticon Knoxville is the accessible venue—right in East Knoxville, plenty of space, and it keeps the day flowing comfortably for both vendors and attendees. Small detail, but it really encourages those longer conversations that help build hobby knowledge and responsible care.

Michael Arnold

Yeah, I mean, you both hit on something that came up in our Port Charlotte and Fayetteville episodes—not to plug the back catalog too hard, but that idea of the show being a place where trust and learning intersect. Repticon Knoxville feels like the place where people new to the reptile world can dip their toes in, and veterans can reconnect, maybe get inspired to try something new, like, I don’t know, Pacman frogs or a new enclosure setup. It’s not intimidating. It’s very much “let’s learn together”—and that starts with the energy of that first morning, before the doors even open.

Lisa Parker

Right? And Knoxville’s fun because you see those repeat faces—vendors and guests—so the vibe just keeps building year after year. Also means you get to watch folks “graduate” from window-shopper to actual keeper, or see a kid come back a year later and show you pics of their gecko’s new enclosure. Okay, I’ll stop before I get all sappy. Let’s get into some of the vendors who make Knoxville stand out this year!

Jay Tacey

Alright, if we’re talking standout Knoxville vendors, I gotta bring up Itsy Little Things. Anna Garrison out of Kodak, Tennessee—she’s built this amazing reputation for breeding healthy and, frankly, just ridiculously cute jumping spiders. But not just the spiders—the creativity with her custom enclosures, too. When I first saw her booth, I swear it was like walking into—well, kind of like my own childhood dream come alive. I mean, y’all know the first book I ever bought was about spiders, right? The difference is, back then it was all tupperware and paper towels. Anna? Her enclosures are these little works of art! It’s nostalgia, but with way more style and a lot better ventilation.

Michael Arnold

Her stuff is wild! I heard she’s got a perfect 5.0 on MorphMarket, and her Etsy reviews all rave about the craftsmanship. I mean, even if you’re just at the “maybe spiders are less terrifying than I thought” stage, her setups are so inviting you end up talking yourself into it. And she seems really present online—MorphMarket, Etsy, even Instagram and Facebook. She’s built this legit community around her work, which is rare in such a niche hobby.

Guy Mc Farlane

That level of craftsmanship and attention to detail is brilliant. It’s not just attractive—it’s functional enrichment for the animals. And, you know, Anna’s multi-platform approach helps both seasoned arachnophiles and newcomers alike. I mean, she’s approachable if you have husbandry questions, and her enclosures set a high bar for welfare. People recognize quality, which is why her reputation sticks. The MorphMarket badges, the glowing reviews—it all points to genuine care.

Lisa Parker

Yeah, Itsy Little Things is always a favorite for our staff too. There’s almost always a crowd at her table, and, fun fact, her stuff sells out fast—so get there early if you want to choose your spider or a new enclosure. Something about that table, every time, reminds me how much people love seeing truly “cute” spiders up close—if you can believe that! Every Knoxville we see people walking away from her booth with big smiles, seriously. She brings the fun and the art—and keeps it top notch and accessible.

Jay Tacey

Exactly, and it’s kind of refreshing. Itsy Little Things proves you don’t have to be a massive operation to have a real impact. Small-scale, specialized, but with a huge heart for both animals and community—honestly, it’s everything you want to see in a show vendor.

Lisa Parker

Now, moving from arachnids to reptiles, let’s talk about two more vendors you absolutely need to check out: Gecko Girls Exotics and Dreamz Pet and Exotics. They’re both regulars at our Knoxville show and honestly, they embody what makes this expo family-friendly and accessible.

Guy Mc Farlane

Gecko Girls Exotics comes out of Fletcher, North Carolina. What I find remarkable is how Joy Williamson left her career to focus on specialty breeding—crested, gargoyle, leopard geckos, even bearded dragons. Their ADV health-testing for dragons, done with the University of Florida, is a real stand-out. It’s not just about selling animals—it’s about ensuring welfare and giving customers confidence. I might geek out over the biosecurity protocols, but for buyers, knowing their new gecko or dragon comes from a conscientious breeder really matters. And she’s at expos, on Instagram, all over—making herself accessible and really personal in her approach.

Jay Tacey

I love that you brought up her personal touch, Guy. That 5.0 MorphMarket rating, the reviews… folks don’t just talk about healthy animals, but how comfortable Joy makes them feel. Communication, flexible arrangements, care tips—you get the feeling she wants every keeper to succeed, not just send them home with a reptile. It’s that whole “support after the sale” thing we touched on in Bradenton and Raleigh, too. These vendors are a resource, not just a shop.

Michael Arnold

Yeah, and then there’s Dreamz Pet and Exotics—more than 20 years in the hobby, and their table is always this wild mix. We’re talking dart frogs, Pacman frogs, hognose, kingsnakes, a little of everything. They make the environment super inviting—anyone can walk up, ask a question, and you don’t feel out of place, whether you’re brand new or you’ve got a rack of your own at home. That’s a big deal in this hobby, you know?

Lisa Parker

That’s the energy we’re after at every Repticon. These vendors—Gecko Girls, Dreamz—make it feel easy for folks to get educated while also just enjoying the day. Dreamz isn’t as noisy online as some groups, but their real reputation’s built boots-on-the-ground, at the actual shows—helping people find the perfect pet or giving advice, no pressure. They’re the type you want back every year.

Jay Tacey

Yeah, Dreamz proves you don’t need thousands of reviews—just a presence, reliability, and a willingness to help. And you see it: people keep coming back, bringing friends, growing the local community, upping their care level every year. That’s how the hobby gets stronger.

Michael Arnold

So, if you’re coming to Knoxville, definitely make time for these vendors. There’s always something new to discover, learn, or get inspired by. And, uh, circle back to us with your finds—let us know what creatures or enclosures you ended up taking home!

Guy Mc Farlane

And that’s the beauty of these expos, really. It’s not just about what you buy—it’s the learning, the people, and that collective excitement. Building on what we talked about in past episodes—community, education, trust. Knoxville ticks all the boxes.

Lisa Parker

That’s a perfect spot to wrap up, everyone. Thanks for listening and hanging out with us today. Get your tickets, mark your calendars for January 10th and 11th, and come see us in Knoxville! And Jay, Michael, Guy—always a pleasure hosting these with you.

Jay Tacey

Always a blast, Lisa. Catch y’all at the next show—or maybe behind the scenes Saturday morning with coffee in hand. Take care!

Michael Arnold

Yeah, see you soon, everyone! Don’t forget to swing by the vendor tables early and say hi. Have a great week!

Guy Mc Farlane

Cheers, all. See you in Knoxville or on the next episode. Goodbye!