Show off your herps and compete for prizes!

[FrogO_Oeyes]

In the beginning, the TARAS reptile shows were created in order to get people involved and give them a chance to show off their herps. Since then, it has grown greatly, but largely lost the “show” aspect. I would like to see OUR shows grow even more, and attract a greater number of participants from the general membership. To that end, over the past few months I have drawn up a review and set of proposals for the board to consider. I will not present all of that here. However, I think it is quite possible to get public feedback and have a system in place in time for the April show. THAT is just over three months away, so I thought it would be wise to do so now. That is enough time to prepare even the more difficult entries.

Basics:
The system is designed to be applicable more or less anywhere in the world, and is built around the concepts used in dog, aquarium, orchid, and even a handful of actual herp shows which exist. If we build a solid format now, it will be easier for it to spread elsewhere.

Like country fairs, including Calgary Stampede, this system is designed to accomodate ALL relevant entries. There are categories for artwork, photography, animals, caging, and educational displays. I won't break down the animal categories here - it's rather long-winded
and unnecessaryto repeat here. Suffice to say, animals will automatically be entered into the most appropriate category. There are category levels, so if there is no competition, entries will be moved up a level until there is [eg. day gecko ==> gecko ==> lizard ==>reptile].

I propose that there is no guarantee of a prize, regardless of the number of entries, but this will be at the judges' discretion.

I propose that entry be open to both membership AND the general public, but with a minimal fee per entry to guarantee participation and offset prize costs, advance registration required, and usual show rules regarding animal health remain in effect. The *only* space provided for entrants will be the amount necessary to display the entry. I expect entries would be biased towards TARAS members, since they will be most aware of the event, and their TARAS involvement shows they already have more motivation and interest. Non-members who are motivated enough to participate might be more likely to join. Full table displays count only as a single entry, and would have no extra entry fee. Participation in a show/sale automatically includes participation in competition. This encourages everyone to make the best of their display that they can.

What could you win?

“Could” being the operative word. Most of these items are easily obtained, but we have not yet attempted to obtain them. I have started to write letters of introduction to this end, and feel many of these things are more than possible. This is what I would like to see:

1) Amphibian Terrarium Kit - Should include front-access terrarium, external or submersible pump, landscaping materials, fluorescent lighting, gift certificate for literature ($50), gift certificate for plants ($20), mid-range undertank heater, timed power supply, rainfall system, digital thermometer and humidity meter.
2) Reptile Terrarium Kit - Should include front-access terrarium, heat lamp, UV lamp, fluorescent lighting, landscaping materials, gift certificate for literature ($50), gift certificate for plants ($20), high-range undertank heater, thermostat, timed power supply, digital thermometer and humidity meter.
3) Invertebrate Terrarium Kit - Should include front-access terrarium, UV lamp, fluorescent lighting, landscaping materials, gift certificate for literature ($50), gift certificate for plants ($20), mid-range undertank heater, timed power supply, digital thermometer and humidity meter.
4) Amphibian Field Kit - Should include field vest, FRS [optional], GPS [optional], Laptop computer [suggest refurbished toughbook] with basic OS and software, USB ports and CDRW, complete water test kit, digital scale [suggest mini scale from The Source], Indoor/outdoor thermometer/humidity meter, extendible fine-mesh net, widemouth thermos.
5) Reptile Field Kit- Should include field vest, FRS [optional], GPS [optional], Laptop computer [suggest refurbished toughbook] with basic OS and software, USB ports and CDRW, digital scale, Indoor/outdoor thermometer/humidity meter, snakehook, snake tongs, flexarium.
6) Engraved or imprinted plaque
7) Giftware - club or photo imprinted mugs, bags, quilts, pillows, towels, cookie tins, mousepads, etc, or sculpture, artwork, mounted photos, thematic crystal or ceramic, etc.
7) Imprinted ribbon or certificate - imprinted with club name, event, date[s], and category of prize

The first five are essentially “Best in Show” prizes, intended for the best overall terraria and animal entries. I am considering the possibilities of a photography package as well, but this could be a pricier package, and I will have to talk to a camera dealer who happens to be a past TARAS board member. I would also extend part of this system to possibly include submissions to the Bulletin as competitive entries.

Do these prizes appeal? Do you have a source who will donate or discount? Can YOU donate [a lot of the items are under $100, and many are $30 or much less]. Feedback is obviously welcome, and now is the time to ramp up - if it's worthwhile!

*These are proposals only at this point. Whether they happen is largely determined by YOUR interest and involvement*

Here's one of the better shows I've found evidence for online. Note that they are now coming up on their 18th ANNUAL show. They've been doing this since about the time the TARAS shows began:
http://www.lihs.org/files/expo05.htm

[Spankenstyne]

This is great, the wife & I were just discussing something similar and were planning on bringing it up at the meeting. You've obviously put a lot more complete work into implimenting this already, so I'm looking forward to the details.

[FrogO_Oeyes]

I will print copies of the complete document for the board. I printed two at the last meeting, and I also emailed Carol a copy. I would have printed it already, but it eats my ink and my work computer wouldn't read the file :P

[diggerchick]

how many reptiles are required to enter?

[Spankenstyne]

It hasn't been officially set up yet & the details will be posted once it's all been hashed out.
I would think though unofficially that likely just one would be fine.

We do free "display only" tables at our shows, space permitting, on a first-come first-served basis and there's no minimum # of herps or enclosures or photos etc.

[FrogO_Oeyes]

At the moment, one entry is one animal...or one photo, craftwork, artwork, or terrarium. I can envision special categories which include multiple animals, such as "litter", "clutch", "siblings", or "parent and offspring", but I haven't drawn up any such categories so far.

I have focussed on what I see as the three most likely entry categories: individual animals, terraria, and the full table displays which dominate shows. Terraria need not include animals, nor even LIVE plants, but that's kind of defeating the purpose. Two things make people say "Oooohh...I'd like something like that!" One is an exquisite animal. The other is a spectacular display.

I haven't really considered the possibility of judging animals which have terraria competing. I'd have to say that, in order to be judged on its own merits, a single animal must be entered and displayed separate from its cage. Any animals in the cage enhance the cage appeal, but could not be judged on their own.

I'll try to get the preliminary terrarium types up in the caging forums shortly.

[FrogO_Oeyes]

Grand prize packages 1, 2, and 3 have a tentative sponsor. That means I haven't made an "official" request, nor received an "official" response, but they HAVE been discussed with positive response.

I will be looking into a "photography" or writing/photography grand prize as well, hopefully early this week. I would also suggest something along the lines of a Home Depot gift card for best vendor table. This would probably be affordable by the Society, and useful to any vendor. It also means there wouldn't be an issue of a vendor receiving a prize they donated!

The idea is - no worthwhile entries, no award given...but I think the awards should be MORE than enough to inspire interest.

[Savvie]

I think this is a fantastic idea, and a good way to promote the shows for people who aren't really looking at buying at the moment. Definitely keep us updated!

[prophetess911]

Wow I'd be interested in participating, I have yet to go to a reptile show as I just moved back to calgary and missed out on all the others in Montreal. It would be very cool to show off one or more of my "kids" lol
Keep us posted

[Spankenstyne]

There's always been the option of just showing animals, things like this are a great way to motivate folks to *want* to come out & show and I'm all for it.