About the
Reptile Expo
For more than thirty-five years, the Canadian Reptile Expo has grown from a small community hall gathering into Canada's longest running celebration of reptiles, plants, aquatics, and natural curiosity.
Venues, Categories & Expansions
From humble community halls and the legendary Downsview Park era to the International Centre and four thriving living worlds.
The Grassroots Genesis
A passionate circle of captive reptile breeders and keepers gather in local community halls outside Toronto. Trading captive-born geckos, colubrids, and husbandry tips, this grassroots swap meet becomes the foundation of Canada's original reptile exhibition.
- First official captive reptile swap meet in Ontario
- Focus on ethical captive breeding vs wild-caught imports
Regional Growth & Fairground Expansion
Outgrowing local community centers, the expo relocates to larger exhibition halls in York Region. Keepers and specialty breeders begin traveling in from across Ontario, Quebec, and upstate New York, turning the event into a regional institution.
- Expanded to over 60 vendor tables
- First dedicated public educational handling zones
The Downsview Park Era
The show moves to the historic Hangar at Downsview Park in North York. For nearly a decade, 'The Downsview Reptile Expo' becomes a household name for Canadian hobbyists, cementing a massive following and regular sell-out crowds.
- Iconic long-term venue home in North York
- Attendance surges into thousands of attendees per show
Launch of the Canadian Aquatic Expo
Recognizing the natural kinship between vivarium keepers and aquarium hobbyists, the show introduces the Canadian Aquatic Expo — welcoming tropical fish breeders, freshwater shrimp keepers, reef hobbyists, and competitive aquascapers.
- First co-located aquatic hobby exhibition
- Live corals, exotic freshwater shrimp, and planted displays
Moving to The International Centre
To accommodate overwhelming crowd demand and soaring exhibitor waitlists, the expo transitions to Ontario's premier trade destination: The International Centre in Mississauga, unlocking tens of thousands of square feet of column-free exhibit space.
- 100,000+ sq ft world-class exhibition space
- Free parking for thousands of families and keepers
Debut of The Plant Expo
As bioactive enclosures and exotic vivariums take the hobby by storm, The Plant Expo is officially launched alongside the reptiles. Rare aroid collectors, Monstera growers, tropical terrarium specialists, and soil blenders join the expo family.
- Rare tropicals, Monsteras, Anthuriums & Philodendrons
- Bioactive microfauna, live mosses, and vivarium lighting
Regional Expansion to Ottawa
Responding to relentless community calls from Eastern Ontario and Western Quebec, the team expands the expo footprint to the nation's capital, debuting high-attendance annual shows in Ottawa.
- Bringing the multi-species expo experience to Eastern Ontario
- Connecting bilingual keeper and breeder networks
Birth of The World of Curiosities
Natural history, paleontology, and dark-academia artistry arrive on the show floor. The World of Curiosities Expo makes an unknown debut as vendors included great presences, featuring genuine dinosaur fossils, museum-grade minerals, ethical taxidermy, framed entomology, and oddities.
- Fossils, crystals, minerals & natural oddities
- Entomology framing and ethical preservation arts
Four Living Worlds in Hall One
Today, the Canadian Reptile Expo represents Canada's most comprehensive living-world celebration: Reptiles, Aquatics, Plants, and the World of Curiosities unite for one massive showcase with interactive 3D floorplans, responsible husbandry education, and over 200 premier exhibitors.
- All four worlds under one giant roof in Hall One
- Over 35 years of Canadian pet and natural history heritage
How the Expo Grew
What began with reptiles alone expanded, world by world, into the four thriving communities you'll explore at the show today.
Reptiles
Where it all began. Breeders, keepers, and educators showcasing snakes, lizards, geckos, turtles, and tortoises alongside responsible captive care.
Aquatics
Tropical fish, live corals, freshwater shrimp, and custom aquascaping displays that bring thriving underwater ecosystems to the show floor.
Plants
Rare tropical houseplants, living terrarium ecosystems, bioactive soil mixes, and greenhouse innovations for keepers and growers alike.
World of Curiosities
Fossils, minerals, entomology frames, taxidermy, and hand-crafted natural-history oddities where science, art, and wonder openly meet.
The Goals of the Event
Everything we do serves four simple promises to our community, our exhibitors, and the animals at the heart of it all.
Education First
We champion accessible, accurate husbandry education so every keeper — from first-time families to seasoned breeders — can care responsibly.
Responsible Keeping
We promote ethical captive breeding and humane animal care, advocating for the long-term welfare of every species on the show floor.
Community Building
We create a welcoming space where enthusiasts, vendors, educators, and families connect, share knowledge, and grow the hobby together.
Conservation Awareness
We support habitat preservation and species education, helping visitors understand wild populations and the role captive breeding plays.
A Word From Our Founders"We started with a simple belief: that responsible keepers, curious families, and passionate breeders could learn from one another under one roof. Thirty-five years later, that belief has grown into four worlds — and the same welcoming community."
Co-Founders, Canadian Reptile Expo
The People Behind the Expo
A small, dedicated team carries the event forward year after year — on the show floor and behind the scenes alike.
Grant & Yvonne Crossman
Co-Founders & Event Directors
Grant and Yvonne founded the show together, bringing over thirty-five years in the pet industry community to grow a small breeder gathering into Canada's premier multi-world living expo.
Elizabeth Semple
Operations & Venue Director
Elizabeth brings over twenty years in the pet industry community to overseeing vendor logistics, venue build, and show flow, ensuring every floor runs smoothly for exhibitors and families.
Mike Mcnally
Event Manager & Vendor Relations
Mike brings over fifteen years in the pet industry community to managing event logistics and vendor relations, ensuring every exhibitor booth runs smoothly for families and keepers alike.
Mark Koenig
Event Manager & Vendor Relations
Mark brings over twenty years in the pet industry community to vendor partnerships and event operations, welcoming exhibitors and building the trusted network powering every annual reptile expo.
Be Part of the Next Chapter
Join us Sunday, November 29, 2026 at the International Centre, Hall One, Mississauga and experience Canada's premier celebration of reptiles, aquatics, plants, and curious living worlds.