Repticon Charlotte 2026: Vendor Highlights and Early-Bird Tips

Lisa Parker

We have Repticon Charlotte on the calendar for October tenth and eleventh, 2026. It is coming back to Cabarrus Arena and Events Center.

Michael Arnold

Cabarrus Arena, right over at 4751 Highway 49 North in Concord. That is a solid layout for an expo floor. Big doors for loading, wide aisles so people aren't, uh, tripping over tote bags.

Lisa Parker

Oh, absolutely. And the schedule is set. Saturday, October tenth, hours run nine in the morning until four in the afternoon. Then Sunday, October eleventh, we are open ten in the morning to four in the afternoon.

Michael Arnold

Now, from a breeder perspective, if you're attending... Saturday morning at nine AM is when you wanna be at those doors. That first two hours, that is where the rare morphs move.

Lisa Parker

You really think early Saturday is make or break?

Michael Arnold

100%. If a breeder brings, say, two high contrast Diamond Pythons or a super specific gecko line, those animals aren't sitting on the table until Sunday at three PM. They are gone by ten thirty Saturday morning. But... Sunday is great if you're looking for enclosure setups or supplies.

Lisa Parker

Right, right! And that face to face interaction on the floor at Cabarrus Arena, you just cannot get that online. You get to hold the animal, check its body weight, look at its clarity, and talk directly to the person who hatched it.

Michael Arnold

Yeah, ordering on a website is fine, but asking a breeder, hey, what is this specific animal eating, what are your exact hot spot temperatures... getting those immediate answers right there in Concord saves so many headaches down the road.

Lisa Parker

And speaking of the vendors coming into Charlotte, I was looking through the floor plan layout, and we have some incredible local legends lined up.

Michael Arnold

Oh yeah? Who do we have?

Lisa Parker

First off, Thrivin' Hogs. They are based right in Kings Mountain, North Carolina.

Michael Arnold

Ah, yes! Thrivin' Hogs brings a fantastic mix to the show. They specialize in Western Hognose Snakes, Neon Day Geckos, Emerald Tree Skinks, and even isopods.

Lisa Parker

Yes! They focus heavily on healthy, socialized animals that are great for family environments. Whether you are after a hoggy or looking to start a bioactive cleanup crew, they have you covered.

Michael Arnold

That focus on healthy, socialized stock matters so much. Now, on the complete opposite side of the oddities aisle... we have That Dead Guy coming from Linwood, North Carolina.

Lisa Parker

That name gets me every single time on the vendor list!

Michael Arnold

He calls himself the local plague doctor. But his anatomical preservation work is top tier. He brings diaphonized specimens, where the bone and cartilage are stained red and blue through clear tissue, plus wet mounts and mummified anatomical art.

Lisa Parker

It really adds that amazing crossover vibe between reptile keeping, natural history, and preservation art. People crowd around his table all weekend.

Michael Arnold

And then, right from Charlotte itself, we have The TGRC, which stands for Tattooed Geeks Reptile Club.

Lisa Parker

Oh, a true local Charlotte staple!

Michael Arnold

Yeah, family run boutique breeder with over twenty five years of experience. The thing about TGRC is they run a super selective, low volume breeding schedule. They aren't mass producing animals; every clutch gets individual focus for health, feeding consistency, and calm temperament.

Lisa Parker

That low volume care really shows when you handle their stock. Well, it is going to be an unbelievable weekend in Concord. October tenth and eleventh, 2026. Make sure you get your tickets early and hit the floor running Saturday morning!

Michael Arnold

Alright, see you guys on the floor!