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Report from Hamm, Germany Reptile show.
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by Kingetula on September 12, 2009
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(I started this report on Friday)
Today I had the chance to run by the building where the show will be tomorrow (or should I say in a few hours for me). A few vendors were setting up so I had a chance to step inside and take a look. For those of you spoiled (like me) with Daytona, the building would probably rate as a 2 star hotel (And that's being generous). The place smelled like livestock and I quickly realized that this building is used for many different kinds of events. As I walked around I came across a room where many hoses were hanging (Obviously for washing cattle) and a banner hanging on the wall with a picture of a cow and some words in German I couldn't read. Further on I came cross a small arena (Sort of like an Equestrian center) where it appears someone would walk around showing off livestock (Maybe for bidders). The smell of cattle filled the entire building.
The building seems large but was broken up into a few different areas. If you had the chance to go to Daytona this year, the main building is about the same size but as I said there are other smaller buildings connected with tables lined up so I can already tell this show is larger.
It appears most people here speak English but only to a point (Maybe a 9th grade English course, just as our kids take Spanish). I've been asked to either speak slower English or faster German.
The weather is changing and the leaves are still green in most places but also turning yellow in others, some leaves are falling. It's 4AM and I'm still not use to the time change, makes for an early bed time but I guess the positive is that I am awake and ready to go wait in line for the show. (I was told people start lining up at 6AM for a 10:00AM opening)
SHOWTIME! I just got back from the show and all I can say is WoW!
I’ll compare the show to Daytona. Actually, I would be insulting Hamm if I did! The only thing Daytona has on Hamm is the nicer building, besides that Hamm SMOKES Daytona! Not only with the size of the show but the amount of people that show up. I tried to take pictures and Video but I was nicely told, NO VIDEO or PICTURES! I did get a few before I was told (Maybe snuck a few too ;-)) and I will post them soon. I got to the door at 6:45AM for a 10:00AM open. I was about 25th in line before the crowd was told to move (I don‘t speak German but I got the hint). Everyone made a mad dash to the new line and I ended up 8th in line. At 9:00AM they started selling tickets, a new line was formed and we waited for another hour. By 10:00AM the crowd was massive. It sort of felt like a rock concert, you move your feet or you get trampled! I’m glad I checked things out yesterday and had an idea where the Venomous room was. I quickly went inside and felt like a kid in a candy store. I picked up 2.2 Crotalus polystictus Mexican lance-headed rattlesnake, 1.1 Hopi rattlesnake, 1.1 Banded Rock (Organ Mtns) 2.2 ammodytes, and 1.2 Asp. The Venomous people showed up with many different species and I left feeling satisfied, more than my combined 3 trips to Hamburg and 1 trip to Columbia over the past few years.
I must admit, I walked through every room but not every row in the non-venomous areas. It was a very large show and I was worn out, plus, they sold pretty much everything you can find in America from what I could tell. The room may have been the size of Daytona but it was wall to wall vendors and no spare room was available, plus, the rows were tighter together. That being said I probably wouldn't be far off by saying the show is double if not triple in size due to this fact. It took me only an hour or 2 to walk Daytona but Hamm would would have taken a good part if not all day and enjoy it. (Some people might be able to do better but good luck is all I have to say). I mentioned the washing area for the cows, even this room was lined with tables! Every square inch was used! The Euphoria of it all blocked out the smell and appearance of the building.
Prices are great, however our Dollar sucks so a good deal quickly turns into an ok deal. (Still better than American prices in some cases, IMO)
I left Hamm happy, satisfied and glad I came. Europeans (Germs)sure know how to put on a Reptile Expo that even the Daytona show could learn a few things!
If you can ever get a cheap flight here, this is one Expo you should check out in your life time.
Scott
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RE: Report from Hamm, Germany Reptile show.
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by Nakita on September 12, 2009
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Andy,
That was an awesome report!
Seeing as how I will never make this show its nice to hear a good first hand account.
Congrats on your purchases and I hope they make it to the states in good order.
By the way, how was the Heloderma selection there? Many people working with Gilas or Beadeds?
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RE: Report from Hamm, Germany Reptile show.
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by Nakita on September 12, 2009
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Woops that should have said Scott and not Andy. Don't know where I got that from LOL!
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RE: Report from Hamm, Germany Reptile show.
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by Cro on September 12, 2009
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Scott,
Sounds like a fun adventure.
I have always heard great things about the variety of animals at that show.
The first question that comes to mind, is how do you get the animals home ?
Do they have international shipping set up at the show that you can use ?
Best Regards
John Z
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RE: Report from Hamm, Germany Reptile show.
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by lanceheads on September 12, 2009
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John,
There are a lot of American reptile dealers there, that will re-export snakes back. (of course, for a nominal fee).
What American's should be aware, that there are snakes, such as Aruba Island Rattlesnakes,available at Hamm, that USFW will NOT let into to the U.S.!
I am somewhat surprised that they let polystictus in, but I know a few people that have legally brought them in from the Hamm show.
Randal
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RE: Report from Hamm, Germany Reptile show.
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by Kingetula on September 13, 2009
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Shipping Venomous is a different animal. I used Glades, Rob Roy was at the show and only lives a few hours away from me in the states. His price was really good and all I had to do was hand him the snakes at the show. I didn't have any worries or work to do. There were a few snakes I wanted but (Cities or Endangered in Europe) would take 4 to 5 weeks to clear... Maybe another time. Rob Roy and his friend here in Europe were a big help getting deals done for me and letting me know what I can and can not take back.
Gila's: I saw 1 adult. (Not the best looking) However I did overhear 2 guys talking about Gilas and it appeared they are sort of rare, however there was 1 there. I guess it depends on when you come, Gila's are born in Oct so... Maybe the December show? It does sound like there is a large selection of different animals from one year to the next and maybe even from show to show. It sounded like (from one vendor) I will be able to get more of what I wanted next year as he will be breeding them next year. (Crosses fingers)
So in a way it was nice to check this show out but now I have a standard no American show will ever meet! (or at least in the near future the way things are going)
On a side note, if you think our gas is bad, Germany is about $5.00 a gallon (ish). I saw the Gas sign that showed $1.32 and thought, wow, that's cheap. In USD that would be almost $2.00. However I started pumping and the price was skyrocketing, I quickly found out it is $1.32 (Euro) a Liter, not a gallon.
One thing for sure, Germany has forced me to view America from the outside. I can't believe how angry and scared Americans are. Our society just believes that is the way it is, it's not. (This is a different topic at a different forum but). It's shocking to see girls, old people, riding their bikes alone or together at night and around downtown. I even saw a kid no older then 8 riding his plastic 3 wheeler home at 9:40PM around downtown, alone. We wouldn't dream of this in America. I leave Germany wishing I could take part of it with me.
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RE: Report from Hamm, Germany Reptile show.
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by RepFan on September 13, 2009
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Thanks for the info on the show... I had always wondered how it was!
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RE: Report from Hamm, Germany Reptile show.
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by Rob_Carmichael on September 13, 2009
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Grass is not always greener on the other side. Little tykes may be strolling around the cities in Germany unattended but any responsible parent will keep a close eye on their kids in any place no matter where you are from - that was strange comment.
It's also strange that folks have to go all the way to Germany to pick up nice rattlesnakes...that's probably the strangest thing I've ever heard. But, I'm sure Hamm is a great experience and I'd love to go there one day. Thanks for the report.
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