Hi everyone! I am a new keeper and I had an expo etiquette question. I’ve had several breeder friends tell me they are always open to trades. Is it possible to bring a snake to an expo (securely stored in a bag) in hopes of trading with a breeder there? Thank you for your answers 
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Most of the time that would be a big no. Depending on the show/expo, you may be able to ask the sponsor or person running it. However, this defeats the purpose of charging people for a table, and also ads risk to everyone involved, for things like mites and disease.
The most likely answer you’ll hear is no, but you could always ask. I’ve never personally seen a show/expo that allows it
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Thank you for your reply, from a business standpoint of course that makes sense as they are there to make sales. Appreciate your time!
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My recommendation is to contact the breeder ahead of time and work out the trade. Bring the snake with you (if permitted) to deliver it.
Personally I would never entertain a trade from someone I didn’t know who was walking around a show with a snake and pitching it to vendors. Also I spray my tablecloth with PAM specifically to defend my animals from people who carry snakes around.
If I don’t know you, it’s not happening.
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I have personally met with a breeder outside of expo hours to purchase an animal I was interested in.
As long as the trade/purchase has been worked out ahead of time, I don’t see why you wouldn’t be able to do the same. Either before the show opens/at closing/ hotel meet ups sort of thing
As far as just showing up with the animals regardless… swap meets have always been one of the worst places to find animals. Keeping non-dealer animals out will maintain health and safety standards that we expect in the hobby (although yes…sometimes things still happen). All of the venders will have info on file with the expo, so if an accident were to occur it can be handled. A rando walking in with an animal of any size can be a liability unless it’s a trained service or medical alert animal (and I love my ESA, but they are not a service animal in these cases). Not just because of mites and other potential illnesses, but because of the animal’s reactions around a hectic environment as well.
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