SMALL SCALES. BIG ADVENTURES.

Follow your
wild side.

Reptile Travel with Dru & Wynn—where expo weekends spark the next great adventure.

Find your next reptile expo →Explore beyond the show

THEIR STORY · THE WILD PATHS

Meet Dru & Wynn

Long before travelers built roads, ports, and bustling cities…
there were the Wild Paths.

Hidden trails woven deep through ancient forests, forgotten islands, dense jungles, and untamed places where nature still whispered its secrets.

And somewhere along those paths,
a spirit was born.

Not from flame like Willa…
but from roots, moss, rain, and the quiet curiosity of the wild itself.

That spirit became Dru.

A leshy guide who takes the form of a wandering druid,
Dru was created from the natural world’s desire to be explored, understood, and protected.

He walks the hidden paths few notice—
leading travelers toward reptile expos, wildlife encounters, tropical adventures, and the kind of discoveries that leave people in awe of the world around them.

But Dru is never alone.

Where Dru walks,
Wynn follows.

A young forest dragon with a playful spirit and watchful heart,
Wynn is curious about every creature, every trail, and every new adventure waiting beyond the next lantern glow.

Together, they guide those who crave more than ordinary experiences—
the explorers, the wildlife lovers, the curious souls who feel most at home discovering the untamed corners of the world.

Because sometimes…
the greatest adventures aren’t found on a map.
They’re waiting just beyond the Wild Paths.

ADVENTURES THAT GIVE BACK

I will donate a portion of my commission to USARK.

THE MAIN EVENT · REPTILE EXPOS

A whole weekend
of scale-worthy discoveries.

Meet breeders, learn about reptiles, and connect with people who share your fascination. Katie can help shape the travel around your show weekend, from a comfortable hotel base to time to explore.

MAKE THE MOST OF SHOW WEEKEND

Show highlights worth planning around

01 · THE BOOTH STOP

Pangea’s Cork Bark Fill-a-Bag

A fun stop for enclosure inspiration: choose cork pieces for climbing, hiding, and natural-looking habitats. Pangea calls Fill-a-Bag an expo favorite.

Ask Pangea about availability, current show pricing, and bag rules at your event. Vendor participation and stock can vary.

Explore Pangea’s Fill-a-Bag ↗
02 · THE SATURDAY-NIGHT TRADITION

Tinley Park’s USARK auction

Stay after the show for the live benefit auction, with proceeds supporting USARK. For March 13, 2027, NARBC lists doors at 5 PM and the auction at 6 PM in the North Pavilion.

Separate admission: $10 at the door. Adult language and humor; parents should use their discretion. Confirm details with NARBC before attending.

Official auction details ↗
03 · MORE TIME TO EXPLORE

Why go VIP?

  • Friday preview during vendor setup, 2–7 PM.
  • Saturday entry at 8 AM—two hours before general admission.
  • Sunday entry at 10 AM—one hour before general admission.
  • Weekend access, with more time to browse and connect with breeders.

Currently listed: $50 for St. Louis, November 2026; $55 for Tinley Park, March 2027. Friday is an active setup period. Check your show’s pass details; auction admission is separate.

Compare official ticket options ↗

Details checked October 28, 2026. Purchase event tickets directly; Katie’s hotel confirmation email will include the official ticket-purchase link.

Upcoming NARBC shows

Verified October 28, 2026

North American Reptile Breeders Conference · Dates below are published on the official NARBC calendar ↗. All show times are local; schedules may change.

A visitor holding VIP and vendor passes at the illuminated NARBC Tinley sign
The excitement of show weekend
Visitors exploring the Reach Out Reptiles booth at a past NARBC show
Meet the reptile community
A monitor lizard resting on cork bark at a past NARBC show
Discover remarkable reptiles

Photographs from past shows via NARBC’s official show gallery ↗. Photographer credits as watermarked. Images illustrate past shows, rather than a specific upcoming event.

November 14–15, 2026

St. Louis, Missouri

Saint Charles Convention Center · St. Charles

Meet breeders, explore captive-bred reptiles, and browse supplies. Public hours: Saturday 10–5; Sunday 11–4. Friday preview for VIP ticket holders.

Official show details ↗THE NEXT ADVENTURE
March 13–14, 2027

Tinley Park, Illinois

Tinley Park Convention Center

A weekend of breeders, reptiles, and community. Public hours: Saturday 10–5; Sunday 11–4. Saturday USARK benefit auction at 6 PM; separate ticket required.

Official show details ↗
June 19–20, 2027

Tinley Park, Illinois

Tinley Park Convention Center

Summer expo weekend. Date announced; check NARBC for ticket releases, vendors, and the final program.

Official show details ↗
October 9–10, 2027

Tinley Park, Illinois

Tinley Park Convention Center

An autumn gathering for the reptile community. Date announced; show details and tickets will follow.

Official show details ↗
November 13–14, 2027

St. Louis, Missouri

Saint Charles Convention Center · St. Charles

Plan a fall expo getaway. Date announced; confirm the program and admission details with NARBC as the show approaches.

Official show details ↗

YOUR SHOW WEEKEND STARTS HERE

Request your NARBC hotel stay

Tell me which show you’re heading to and what you need for a comfortable stay.

Having trouble with the form? Open the hotel request form in a new tab ↗

Event tickets: I can help arrange your hotel stay, but I cannot purchase reptile expo or other event tickets for you. Your hotel confirmation email from me will include a link to the official ticket-purchase site so you can purchase your own tickets. Hotel arrangements do not include event admission.

REPTILE ADVENTURES!

Extraordinary reptiles.
A remarkable planet.

National Geographic–Lindblad Expeditions in the Galápagos

Discover marine iguanas and giant tortoises on naturalist-led island explorations. Expedition travel brings the archipelago’s wildlife and conservation story into focus, with opportunities to walk, snorkel, and learn along the way.

The Lindblad Expeditions–National Geographic Fund supports conservation, research, and education, including work in the Galápagos. Explore responsibly and let these remarkable islands inspire a deeper connection to the natural world.

Dream up my Galápagos adventure →
Galápagos giant tortoise walking through grass on Santa Cruz Island
Wild wonder, up close.Santa Cruz Island · Photo © Ralph Lee Hopkins

A GLIMPSE OF THE GALÁPAGOS

See the wonder
waiting in the wild.

A marine iguana peering over volcanic rock in the Galápagos Islands
Marine iguanasLife among the volcanic shores.Photo © Sven-Olof Lindblad
Bartolomé Island’s volcanic landscape, golden beaches, and turquoise bays in the Galápagos
Bartolomé IslandVolcanic landscapes meet turquoise water.Photo © Ralph Lee Hopkins

Photography featured on National Geographic–Lindblad Expeditions’ Exploring Galápagos trip page ↗. Images offer destination inspiration; island visits and wildlife sightings vary by itinerary and conditions.

LET CURIOSITY CHOOSE THE DESTINATION

More places.
More wild wonder.

A few starting points for reptile-inspired travel, from Southeast Asian forests to Mexico and specific wildlife destinations in Africa. Sightings depend on season and conditions; observe wildlife at a respectful distance with qualified guides.

01 · Thailand

Khao Yai National Park

Monitors & water dragons

Trade the show floor for forest trails. Explore the park’s reptile diversity with a knowledgeable local nature guide.

Learn about this destination ↗
02 · Vietnam

Cúc Phương National Park

Freshwater turtles & tortoises

Put conservation at the center of your itinerary with the Turtle Conservation Centre, which rescues and cares for threatened native species. Arrange visits in advance.

Learn about this destination ↗
03 · Mexico

Yucatán · Ich Kool Balamtun

Black spiny-tailed iguanas & Yucatán banded geckos

Build a Yucatán escape around the region’s remarkable reptiles, natural landscapes, and cultural discoveries.

Learn about this destination ↗
04 · South Africa

Kruger National Park

Nile crocodiles

Add a reptile lens to a classic safari. Watch riverbanks for crocodiles while exploring one of southern Africa’s great wildlife landscapes.

Learn about this destination ↗
05 · Namibia

Namib dunes near Swakopmund

Palmato geckos & Namaqua chameleons

Discover the desert’s smaller wonders on a specialist guided outing, from sand-adapted geckos to extraordinary chameleons.

Learn about this destination ↗

MEET THE SCALE SQUAD

Coming Soon

A little personality. A lot of scales. Future featured animals:

Meet their individual stories here in a future update.