All About Super Pet Expo Edison

Jay Tacey

Hey everybody, welcome back to Repticon Reptile Shows. This episode, we’re digging into the Super Pet Expo up in Edison, New Jersey—happening January ninth through the eleventh at the NJ Convention & Exposition Center. And honestly, this is one of those expos that’s more than just reptiles, right? You walk in, it’s dogs, cats, birds, just—like, the whole animal kingdom in one massive hall. So, it’s perfect for families, first-timers, or even folks who can’t tell a gecko from a goldfish. Plus, Repticon is a key part of it, which I gotta admit, always makes me smile.

Lisa Parker

It’s true, Jay. Edison really brings out, uh, every kind of pet lover you can imagine. I mean, last year I think I saw a guy walking a macaw on his shoulder—and a line of folks waiting to meet guinea pigs with custom sweaters! And then you get this sea of excited kids running straight for the reptiles. Families really get a full spectrum animal experience—like, the kind of thing where your mom gets sidetracked by Bengal cats and your little brother’s turning over rocks at the reptile display. It’s chaos in a good way.

Michael Arnold

And, I mean, it’s funny—when you go to a regular reptile expo, the crowd already knows what they’re in for. But at Super Pet Expo, you’ll get people who just wandered in because they heard about the dogs and then, suddenly, they’re instantly captivated by a uromastyx or something. It’s the kind of cross-pollination that, honestly, I think the hobby needs. It’s not just preaching to the choir, you know?

Guy Mc Farlane

There’s also that energy—lots of newcomers. That makes these shows a fantastic opportunity for education. Actually, I find these larger expos draw out that curiosity. You see parents learning as much as their kids, and the atmosphere gets, well, almost infectious. It’s a gateway for a lot of future keepers or even wildlife advocates, really.

Jay Tacey

That totally takes me back, actually. The first full-scale pet expo I ever attended, I wanna say, back in the nineties, just totally blew my mind. I was, like, this young, wide-eyed zoo keeper, and suddenly, animals weren’t just exhibits—they were ambassadors. It was a wake-up call for me about how a well-presented, respectful animal encounter can change someone’s perspective. You're watching families get inspired, and it’s like, “Okay, this is why I’m here. This is what makes it worth it.” I still feel that, every time I walk into a place like Edison.

Lisa Parker

And I’m always reminded, like, it’s more than logistics or setup for us—yeah, I’m running around with floor plans and radios, but seeing that first big group at the reptile zone makes all the coffee runs worth it. The excitement is real—nobody’s ever too old for their first reptile encounter, I guess.

Michael Arnold

Alright, let’s, uh, get into the vendors—‘cause that’s where things get really interesting. Jax’s Exotics, based over in Blacksburg, Virginia, is a perfect example of why Edison draws folks from hours away. They’ve got—let me try to remember—iguanas, monitors, uromastyx, tokay geckos… pretty much the “who’s who” of showstopper reptiles.

Lisa Parker

Oh, for sure. His whole crew’s always answering questions, whether it’s a family with toddlers or, you know, a seasoned herper obsessing over care sheets. Plus, their booth looks like the reptile version of a candy store.

Guy Mc Farlane

That diversity is what makes expos feel alive. You get keepers who drive in from, say, upstate New York just to scope out a rare monitor, and then you’ve got families who stumble onto their first gecko and suddenly they’re hooked. It’s invaluable to have vendors like Jax’s Exotics—they facilitate that first real spark in newcomers. Watching that connection happen—that’s one of the best parts of these shows for me.

Jay Tacey

And you know, those moments really do matter. Like, a kid comes in for a dog, but leaves telling his parents about tokay gecko vocalizations. Or, someone’s first exposure to iguanas is learning about their care—not just, “oh, cool lizard.”

Michael Arnold

Yeah, totally. There’s nothing quite like seeing a customer light up over an animal, and then you watch them follow Jax’s on Instagram and suddenly their family’s got a new scaly member. Those connections are what keep the whole scene dynamic. It’s not just animals, it’s—you know—it’s people building memories, one reptile at a time.

Lisa Parker

Alright, speaking of passionate families, let’s talk about Family Reptiles out of Lakeland, Florida. If you’ve been to any Southeastern show, there’s like an eighty percent chance you saw their booth—and for good reason. What started as just, “let’s get our daughter a pet snake,” turned into this, like, movement. Their whole team—Scott, Elizabeth, everyone—they make you feel like you’re part of the family. I mean, when you’re event planning and you get to place Family Reptiles on your floor chart, you know it’s going to be smooth sailing. They bring advice, custom enclosures, and even if someone’s new, they’re never intimidating or too busy for questions.

Jay Tacey

Absolutely, Lisa. That growth is wild—you start out just wanting to get a snake for your kid, and suddenly you’re at seventy-five-plus expos a year and you’re the go-to resource for both animals and expert advice.

Guy Mc Farlane

That’s real, Jay. Consistent community involvement—whether they’re at the Lakeland Christmas Parade or doing an American Teach-In—that’s the kind of outreach that creates the next wave of responsible keepers. And custom enclosure builds? That’s a skillset not every vendor brings. For folks who may be keeping something for the first time, having staff that can walk you through habitat design, feeder selection, and even some troubleshooting if something goes sideways—it’s invaluable.

Michael Arnold

Yeah, and you can tell their staff isn’t just reciting scripts. They’re enthusiasts. They’ll geek out with you about morphs one minute and then shift gears, explaining enclosure humidity to a third-grader. When you have that combo of approachability and expertise, people leave the show feeling supported. More than a sales pitch, you know?

Lisa Parker

Exactly, Michael. I love seeing how Family Reptiles turns first-time buyers into regulars and then those folks end up volunteering or spreading the word. It creates a full-circle community—people helping people. And that’s the pulse of expos like Edison. It’s not just about picking up a new pet; it’s about joining a tribe, if that makes sense.

Jay Tacey

Couldn’t have put it better, Lisa. The show’s atmosphere comes from the vendors, the families, the energy. Whether you’re there for a monitor, a gecko, or just to check things out, it’s the people behind the tables who make all the difference. It reminds me why these expos stay relevant—every connection counts.

Guy Mc Farlane

I couldn’t agree more. Whether you’re seasoned or a total newcomer after your first snake, these shows turn curiosity into passion and, hopefully, responsibility. And the cycle continues.

Lisa Parker

And that’ll do it for this episode on Super Pet Expo Edison. Thanks for joining us on the journey—hope to see you at an upcoming show or maybe even around Edison itself! Jay, Michael, Guy—always a pleasure geeking out with all of you.

Jay Tacey

Yeah, thanks everybody for listening. Keep getting curious, and we’ll catch you next time—maybe with a new scaly story or two!

Michael Arnold

Always great talking with you all. Don’t forget to check out the show in January and, uh, remember to ask good questions if you stop by a vendor. See you at the next one!

Guy Mc Farlane

Take care, everyone. Support each other, support the animals, and keep spreading the passion. Goodbye, team!