After a few months away from the show circuit, the Coventry Invertebrate Show on 4 October 2026 was a date we had been looking forward to for quite some time. In fact, there was a point where we almost didn’t make it at all due to illness. Thankfully, with a bit of determination and plenty of last-minute preparation, we were able to load up the car and make the journey to Coventry. We found a quaint and unique little inn to stay in the night before, which kick-started our weekend in Coventry.
Back Behind the Table
It felt great arriving at the venue and getting back into the familiar routine of setting up the table before the doors opened. One of the best things about attending shows is catching up with friends and fellow vendors, and this event certainly didn’t disappoint. It was fantastic to see everyone again, including The Spider Shop, Venomous Visions and many of the other traders and hobbyists who help make these events such an enjoyable experience. Having not attended a show for several months, it was especially nice to be back amongst the invertebrate community.
Before long, the doors opened and a steady flow of visitors made their way into the hall. One of the highlights of attending shows is having the opportunity to speak directly with customers and receive first-hand feedback, including from people who have, by their own admission, ‘stalked’ the website or had purchased from us previously. The positive feedback praising our customer service and swift shipping was truly heartwarming to receive and brought all the hard work into perspective.
Dry Goods by the Bag
Our table attracted lots of interest throughout the day, and it quickly became apparent that our dry goods selection was going to be popular. We only decided to bring crushed leaf litter and flake soil, which is just a small selection of what we offer. Yet they proved to be one of our strongest sellers of the event, with customers stocking up on not just one bag but two or three. Even our tub of sweets proved a hit, with plenty of visitors helping themselves whilst they browsed and chatted.
Sold-Out Isopods
When it came to livestock, several species flew off the table. By the end of the show we had completely sold out of our Clown Isopods, Crabby Isopods and Giant Orange Isopods. It is always rewarding seeing the enthusiasm people have for these species and knowing they are heading off to new homes with passionate keepers.
Mystery Bags Made on the Spot
A recurring question throughout the day was whether we had brought any of our mystery bags or mystery boxes. Unfortunately, we had not packed any for the show. However, rather than disappoint customers, we decided to make some up on the spot whilst people did a strategic lap of the show venue, to keep the ‘mystery’ element alive. It was great fun putting them together, customers seemed to enjoy the surprise, and we will have to be sure to make mystery bags and boxes available at future shows.
See You at the Next Show
As the day went on, the atmosphere remained friendly and welcoming, with plenty of opportunities to catch up with familiar faces and meet new customers alike. Shows like Coventry remind us why we enjoy attending these events so much. They are not just about sales but about connecting with fellow enthusiasts, sharing knowledge and being part of such a supportive hobby community.
By the time the show came to an end, we were tired but incredibly pleased that we had made the effort to attend despite nearly having to cancel due to illness. After several months away from exhibiting, it was the perfect event to return to and a reminder of just how much we enjoy meeting hobbyists face-to-face.
A huge thank you to everyone who stopped by our table, purchased from us, took part in the mystery bags and shared their feedback throughout the day. We look forward to seeing you all again at the next show.
Leave a comment