Is it open to the public?

Yes.

How much is admission?

General admission: $15.00 for ages 13 and up, $10.00 for ages 6-12 and free for ages 5 and under with paid adult admission. VIP PASSES: $55. Click button below to purchase tickets online. TICKETS & VIP PASSES ARE ALSO AVAILABLE AT THE DOOR – CREDIT CARD or CASH.

Do I have to preregister or can I pay at the door?

You may pay at the door but get there early.

Please click “ONLINE TICKET SALES” link for specific FAQ’S, answers, suggestions & rules about purchasing and picking up your prepaid tickets

Online Ticket Sales

Are there reduced VIP prices for children?

Keep in mind, children 5 & under are FREE. There is no online option for “child VIP.” If you are purchasing Adult VIP passes online in advance, we suggest you purchase ONLY those for ages 13 and over. Discounted VIP passes for ages 6 – 12 if available, can be given in person only, at the WILL CALL position of the ticket counter. Discounts for “VIP children” may be based on adult/child ratio.

Do vendors accept credit cards?

The best answer to this is, MAYBE. Many vendors do accept credit cards or even PayPal payments at the show. Each vendor decides their own payment options, so be sure to ask!

Are there ATM's available?

Yes, there are ATM's available in all of the venue's, unfortunately they can run out of cash QUICK. More unfortunate, NARBC has no control over ATM machines; if we did they'd always be full!

Can I bring my pet to walk around with me?

No you cannot.

How do I get back in on Sunday?

TICKETS ARE ONE DAY PASSES - VIP TICKETS ARE 2 DAY PASSES.

Rules for WRISTBANDS:

• Wristbands will be provided upon paid admission/checking in at will call and must be worn on either wrist AT ALL TIMES by ALL Guests, VIP's and Vendors.
• Wristbands are made of DuPont™ Tyvek®; they are 100% recyclable (plastics), waterproof and hypoallergenic. They will not "fall apart or fall off" and must be deliberately removed.
• Wristband colors/designs vary from each show and multiple may be used during each show. There is no distinction between admission costs, adult/child or days. Security staff is aware of which wristbands are valid for each show.
• Wristbands are non-transferable - Single person use only. Any attempts to defraud event staff will be considered an act of theft and handled according to state laws of criminal conversion.
• For this reason, it is best, if you think for ANY reason you MAY have to remove your wristband, please see exceptions below and/or speak to someone from the NARBC Will Call staff - BEFORE attempting to "modify" or "re-attach" a wristband.

**Wristband Exceptions:

• The following (if necessary) may remove and must bring original back on Sunday for replacement:
  • Employees of Uniformed Civil Servants (Police, Fire, Military, etc) WITH Official ID.
  • Possibly other guests with pre-approval from NARBC Will Call/ticket counter staff.
  • Others per and by discretion of NARBC Will Call/ticket counter Staff.
• The following may not be required to wear wristbands on person while in attendance:
  • Individuals with special needs.
  • Children 5 and under (free admission) not usually supplied with wristbands.
  • Others per and by discretion of NARBC Will Call/ticket counter Staff

Can anyone buy a VIP badge?

YES! For $55 per adult (age 13+) VIP Passes allow you into show before it opens to the public.

Who will be selling animals?

Please review our vendor list.

Where is the show being held?

Tinley Park Convention Center

Is this a captive bred only show?

Yes.

Is there a LOST & FOUND?

Yes of course!! From the beginning of set up on Friday – until the close of the show on Sunday, all lost/found items should be turned into and will be held at the NARBC Will Call/ticket counter. We will make multiple announcements throughout the show when items have been turned into us. When departing venue, NARBC staff will leave any remaining lost/found items with the Convention Centers Office.

Can I bring my dog, cat, bird or other pet to the show?

Only ADA Defined Service animals (typically dogs) with documentation are allowed into Show Venues, per local ordinances and/or locations right to refuse. (A.2) NARBC also HIGHLY recommends NOT bringing (or sneaking) in any “tea cup”, “toy” or “mini” breeds of dog, as well as ANY other small animal with fur or feathers. Our vendors/breeders take great care in making sure their animals are healthy, well fed and docile. But keep in mind, they are animals and though it is rare to happen while in the care of their breeders, they can be unpredictable.

Are the reptiles and other animals at the show ever out of their cages or enclosures? Can we touch them?

ABSOLUTELY! However, ONLY by discretion and with permission of each vendor. This is to protect the animals, not you. The germs, bacteria and other substances on human hands, can cause illness and even death of the animals. Not to mention the potential to transfer such between animals. Our vendors come from all over the USA (some from overseas) to be part of NARBC shows. Which means, their animals did too, which can cause stress. Please be respectful of all vendor rules of handling their animals and expect them to change, based on signs the animals may exhibit.

Are there any venomous animals at the show?

MAYBE, but NEVER for sale! SOMETIMES, for educational purposes and viewing behaviors through specially designed glass enclosures, a zoological or other specialized conservation organization in possession of a specific license to do so, will bless us with their presence, knowledge and animals at NARBC Shows.

THE FOLLOWING SHOULD BE BROUGHT TO THE NARBC STAFF BEHIND THE WILL CALL/TICKET COUNTER; DOOR SECURITY PERSONNEL CAN POINT YOU IN OUR DIRECTION!

• LOST CHILDREN (IMMEDIATELY, SO THAT WE CAN PAGE THEIR MISSING ADULT)
• ANY FOUND ITEMS, INCLUDING “LOOSE” ANIMALS (YOU MIGHT EVEN GET A REWARD!)
• REPORT ANY ITEM YOU HAVE LOST OR IS MISSING AND LEAVE US YOUR NUMBER (WE OFTEN FIND IT)
• ANY THEFT FROM VENDORS OR GUESTS (YOU’D BE SURPRISED WHAT WE SEE AND RECOVER AT THE DOOR)
• CONCERNS OF DANGER/SAFETY OF ANY ANIMAL, GUEST OR VENDOR (ALL CONCERNS ARE VALID)
• ANY QUESTIONS/CONCERNS WHILE AT THE SHOW (WE WANT ALL OF OUR GUESTS & VENDORS TO HAVE A GREAT EXPERIENCE; AND WE WANT TO HEAR ABOUT THAT TOO! REMEMBER TO LIKE US ON FACEBOOK!)

HERE'S A FEW THINGS WE AT NARBC CAN'T DO …… THIS LIST IS NOT "ALL INCLUSIVE" OF NARBC LIMITATIONS AS TRADE SHOW HOST. (BELOW ARE SOME OF THE MOST COMMON REQUESTS WE RECEIVE)

• CONTROL OUR VENDORS PRICES, PAYMENT OPTIONS OR ANY OTHER FUNCTION OF THEIR BUY/SELL TRANSACTIONS; INCLUDING RETURNS OR REFUNDS.
• FORCE OR COERCE VENDORS TO "HONOR" A PRICE OR DEAL THAT THEY MAY HAVE DISCUSSED OR ADVERTISED PREVIOUSLY.
• OFFER DISCOUNTED, FREE OR VALIDATE PARKING AT VENUES WHERE THERE IS A CHARGE FOR PARKING. WE AREN'T THE ONES CHARGING, COLLECTING OR RECEIVING THE PARKING FEES; WE'RE PAYING THEM TOO.
• DICTATE ARRIVAL, SET-UP, SELLING OR DEPARTURE TIME OF VENDORS. HOWEVER, SOME OF OUR VENUES DICTATE WHEN LOADING DOORS & DOCKS CAN BE UTILIZED.
• OVERRIDE, ALTER OR BREAK VENUE RULES, TIMES OR ACCESS OF LOADING/UNLOADING DOORS AND DOCKS, UTILIZATION OF CERTAIN DOORS, CARTS, PARKING AREAS, HOLDING OR PICK UP AREAS.
• BE HELD LIABLE OR RESPONSIBLE FOR LOST, STOLEN OR MISSING ITEMS, PURCHASES OR INVENTORY. BUT IF YOU LET US KNOW IT'S MISSING, WE WILL DO OUR VERY BEST TO HELP YOU RECOVER IT.