FIRExpo Will Return on Sept 1 & 2, 2012!
Doubletree by Hilton at the Entrance to Universal Orlando!
5780 Major Blvd., Orlando, FL 32819
Repticon was proud to host the first major reptile expo at the Doubletree by Hilton at the Entance to Universal (known to locals as the "Twin Towers") in almost a decade, as the Florida International Reptile Expo (FIRE) moved to its fantastic new host location in September! Since its debut in 2004, the FIRExpo has been hosted at the Orlando Centroplex Expo Center, The Orange County Convention Center, and the Ramada Celebration Resort and Convention Center. FIRExpo's new home at the Doubletree by Hilton at the Entrance to Universal offered FIRExpo guests and vendors first-class accomodations at a great Repticon rate, as well as top-quality event space for Repticon's premier event of the year. Join us again in 2012 for what will promise to be another historic event filled with top-quality reptiles and amphibians, presentations, and more!
FIRExpo 2011at the Doubletree by Hilton at the Entrance to Universal Orlando
FIRExpo 2012 will be held on Sept 1 & 2, 2012
Featuring reptile and amphibian breeders and wholesalers, reptile pet products and supplies,
educational seminars and exhibits, and fun-filled activities for the entire family!
Show Hours:
Saturday: 10:00am-5:00pm (VIP Entry at 9:00 am)
Sunday: 10:00am-4:00pm
Admission:
One Day Admission
Adults - $10.00Two Day VIP Ticket
Children (5-12) - $5.00,
Four and under FREE!
Adults - $12.00 (online), $15 (at door)
Children - $5.00
Four and under FREE!
FIRE & ICE Mid-week Events
Announced for the 2011 Shows!!
Click here to Learn More!
Events and pictures from past FIRExpos
FIRExpo 2004 (Centroplex) ........................ ............FIRExpo 2008 (Orange County Conv. Ctr)
FIRExpo 2010 (Ramada Celebration Orlando Resort & Convention Center)
FIRExpo Exclusive:VENOMOUS INCLUDED!
FIRExpo 2011 will be Florida's ONLY venomous-included expo of the year, with select vendors offering venomous reptiles to qualified buyers. (Vendors interested in offering venomous reptiles at FIRExpo please click here for additional details).
FIRExpo Exclusive:
ALL ANIMALS VET INSPECTED!
FIRExpo show vet Doctor Ivan Alfonso will be walking the expo floor prior to show opening to verify the general health of all reptiles offered for sale at FIRExpo 2011. Any obviously unhealthy animals will be removed by the vendors and not offered for sale during the show.
ExoTerra Door Prize Raffle
Thanks to Sponsorship from ExoTerra Repticon will again have one of it's greatest Door Prize Raffles ever! Raffles will be held every hour for multiple prizes throughout the weekend. Most of the high end products are being held for the special VIP raffle, reserved for those guests who purchase two-day VIP tickets and enter an hour early on Saturday. Spectacular sponsorship prizes are expected, such as entire ExoTerra Habitat set-ups, and large cage decor such as Waterfalls and Rock Outcrops! VIP Tickets are available for pre-purchase. Come out early and be a Repticon VIP guest!.
Tote Bag Sponsor - Zoo Med!
Thanks to Sponsorship from Zoo Med, early VIP guests to the show will receive a Zoo Med tote bag with product samples, while supplies last! These bags are only available to guests who purchase their VIP tickets online. Check to our tickets page here for information on purchasing an early entry VIP two day ticket!
Visit Repticon Sponsor:
Vet Checks for Your Animals
*In addition to checking animals sold at the show, Dr. Alfonso also will be available to conduct checks on animals you may already have*
-Fecal exams done for $10 each on premises.
-Fecal exams done only during show hours (Dr. Alfonso will stop doing fecals 1/2 hour before closing if the demand is high to allow for closing)
-Fecal exams are only to help the owners determine treatment course, not a reason to return reptiles to a vendor.
-Reptiles routinely harbor parasites and the purpose of the fecal exams is not to dicourage purchases but rather treat them promptly.
-Fecal samples must be fresh, no older than 12 hours when possible (in the case of people bringing samples of their pets at home).
-Only reptile/amphibian samples will be processed. No other species will be seen.
-The fecal exam is a fecal float only. No smears will be done on premises. Each fecal float takes approx. 10 minutes to run so time will be limited.
-On Saturday, tests will start at 12:00 PM when Dr. Alfonso arrives at the show. On Sunday it will be from opening time.
-Owners with animals having parasites will be told the parasite present, which medication is recommended for treatment, and where to go for medications (Dr. Alfonso's clinic or any of their choice).
These are Events & Activities from the Sept. 2011 Show!
Please Check Back for the Next Show!
Saturday, Sept. 17
| 10:15am | Carpet Pythons | BytheShore Reptiles |
| 11:00am | Crocodilian Conservation | Crocodilian Conservation Center of Florida |
| 12:00pm | Reptile Encounters! | Bob Shumaker of The LB Reptile Experience |
| 1:00pm | Disease Prevention through Nutrition | Vet Dr. Ivan Alfonso |
| 2:00pm | Montane Chameleon Species | Chris Anderson with FL Chams |
| 3:00pm | Reptile Encounters! | Bob Shumaker of The LB Reptile Experience |
| 4:00pm | Field Herping Adventures! | Daniel Parker of Sunshine Serpents |
Sunday, Sept. 18
| 11:00am | Mary Bailey's Gator Country Theater | Mary Bailey |
| 12:00pm | Reptile Encounters! | Bob Shumaker of The LB Reptile Experience |
| 1:00pm | 2010 ExoTerra Cameroon Expedition | Chris Anderson with FL Chams |
| 2:00pm | Fear Factor Challenge | World of Wildlife |
| 3:00pm | Turtles & Tortoises | Bill Murray with Redfoot Ranch |
Event Descriptions are Listed Below
Reptile Encounters with The LB Reptile Experience
The LB Reptile Experience is a reptile rescue program from Jacksonville that takes over 400 calls a year for both exotic and indigenous reptiles. Their presentation and seminar will be hands on, as the kids get to touch the animals and hold some of them, as they learn the special stories of these rescued herps from Bob Shumaker. If you like meeting the big reptiles, stop by this presentation and learn more.
Vet Dr. Ivan Alfonso
"Disease Prevention through Nutrition"
Veterinarian Doctor Ivan Alfonso will be lending his knowledge in an informative presentation with about how to keep your animals healthy and disease-free through nutrition. Do you want healthy and happy pets? If so, be certain to experience and follow the expertise of Dr. Alfonso!
Crocodilian Conservation
Curt from the Crocodilian Conservation Center of Florida will be speaking directly to the purpose of their center, educating the public about Crocodilian Conservation. Be certain to attend to learn what needs to be done, and also to see what Curt may have in tow!
Field Herping Adventures!
Daniel Parker from Sunshine Serpents will be giving a Presentation on Field Herping Adventures.
So if you would like to find out the best ways to enjoy the hobby in the great outdoors, and actually find some reptiles & amphibians, stop by and learn more! Daniel will also be sharing some entertaining stories on his personal adventures finding reptiles in the wild, along with lots of photos! Get a preview of the adventures you might have with Daniel mid-week between FIRE & ICE!
TORTOISES!
Bill Murray from Redfoot Ranch and the Central Florida Turtle and Tortoise Club will be speaking in a live animal presentation on tortoises. Learn how to best care for these magnificent animals that are sometimes known to outlive their keepers!
CHAMELEONS!
Chris Anderson will facilitate two in-depth Powerpoint Chameleon presentatations on behalf of FL Chams. The first will focus on keeping montane chameleon species, more difficult than the typical veiled or panther chameleons. His second will be an entertaining travel-log talk on his 2010 Exo Terra Cameroon Expedition. Chris is definately an expert, so don't miss either chance to learn from one of the best!
About Chris:
Chris Anderson is a chameleon hobbyist, breeder, naturalist and scientist. He started working with chameleons in 1997 and since then has worked with over 50 different chameleon species in captivity, including breeding many of them. Since 2004 he has served as the Editor of the Chameleons! Online E-Zine (www.chameleonnews.com), an online magazine specializing in the best chameleon information available, and over the years he has been active in the development of numerous other chameleon related resources. Chris is currently a Ph.D Candidate in the Department of Integrative Biology at the University of South Florida, where he studies chameleon feeding, with some of the findings of his research have been published in top scientific journals and featured in popular press and news outlets all over the world. His interest in chameleons has led him to travel extensively to chameleon habitats, including chameleon-specific expeditions in Madagascar and Cameroon and upcoming expeditions to South Africa and Kenya. Chris is active in chameleon conservation efforts, serving as a member on the IUCN Species Survival Commission's Chameleon Specialist group, and in addition to writing both popular press and scientific research articles in an effort to increase public knowledge and understanding of chameleons, Chris is currently working on completing a book, which will cover all chameleon species. More information on Chris' research and experience with chameleons can be found on his website: http://www.chamaeleonidae.com
World of Wildlife Fear Factor Challenge!
World of Wildlife will facilitate their Fear Factor Challenge in which guests can compete to see who will dare to eat some "creepy crawlies!" Is bacon flavor or cheddar cheese your preferred seasoning for mealworms? Yum!
CARPET PYTHONS!
Tim Manucy of ByTheShore Reptiles will give a presentation on carpet pythons. These unique animals are beautiful snakes that are NOT among Florida's Species of Concern. Stop by this starter seminar of "Carpet Pythons Made Simple" to learn basic information on care, housing, and breeding. You'll also get to see them up close!
What will it be? You won't know till you come to the show and meet the critters of Critter Encounters at their table. In attendance are always exotic animals which they have been involved in rescuing. Be ready for a chinchilla, Asian water monitor, Burmese python, red tegu, alligator, and an exotic parrot at FIRE!
