ArachnoCon

1. What does my ArachnoCon registration fee include?
— Registration includes entrance to all activities including the Thursday evening social, Friday lectures and children's activities, an exclusive Saturday morning ArachnoExpo preview, Saturday's public ArachnoExpo and a number of organized collecting trips. Each adult or family will receive a special welcome kit including some nice surprises.

2. Will I be receiving tickets and additional information via mail prior to the event?
— No. Your PayPal receipt email or money order stub are your receipt for payment. During the Thursday evening meet and greet social registration packets will be distributed that will include your event pass (or passes), event schedule program, area information, an exclusive limited edition copy of ARACHNOCULTURE magazine, and some other surprise goodies. Please do your best to arrive Thursday and attend this welcome party to receive your convention kit. However, if you arrive after Thursday evening your kit will be waiting for you at the staff table outside of the lecture hall and ArachnoExpo. Or just locate any staff member and you will be taken care of. Any additional information can be found on this website, which will continue to be updated up until the day our webmaster leaves Nashville for San Antonio.

3. Is ArachnoCon family-friendly?
— Absolutely! People of all ages will enjoy the convention and many families will be in attendance. Special activities for children will run concurrently with the lectures, which are primarily intended for teens and adults. Families will enjoy the social activities including field trips in search of live arachnids and other animals.

4. Will a rental vehicle be necessary?
— That depends on your personal needs and whether you wish to visit other sites in the area. The headquarters hotel is close to the airport and shuttle or taxi service is available. The ArachnoExpo site is only a short walk from the hotel and a shopping mall is directly across the street. If your activities will be limited to those of ArachnoCon a vehicle is unnecessary. (Note: Please also read FAQ #4 below). Click here for maps and transportation information.

5. Is transportation provided for the field trips?
— At this time it is not and we will do our best to organize the field trips to match those without a vehicle with others who have their own vehicle or a rental car. If we are able to find a reasonably priced large rental vehicle to assist with field trip shuttling it will be available for a nominal fee.

6. Do registered ArachnoCon guests have to pay additional fees to enter the ArachnoExpo?
— No, entry is included in your registration fee and there will be a special registrant-only viewing of the ArachnoExpo on Saturday morning.

7. What other activities and attractions in the San Antonio area do you recommend?
— The bottom of the hotel page of this website includes links for this information.

8. If I am flying to San Antonio and wish to collect and/or purchase live animals how will I get them home?
— Some livestock vendors will likely be offering shipping after the convention for a nominal fee. One common practice is for vendors who you purchase animals from to offer to include any collected animals or, in some cases, animals purchased from other vendors with the animals they ship to you when they return home. Most vendors will charge a small handling fee for this service. Certain restrictions, such as releasing the shipper from any responsibility for animals not purchased from his company, will apply.

9. What regulations apply to animal collecting or other wildlife issues?
— Please visit the Texas Parks & Wildlife Department website for information. Endangered and threatened species are afforded special protection. You may click here to download an 11MB booklet in PDF format titled "Endangered and Threatened Animals of Texas" or view lists online here.

10. Can I wait and register in person at the conference?
— Yes, but we would very much appreciate if you would do so in advance. This helps us know how many registrants we will have and helps everyone by our ability to plan better. It also allows us to your name badges made up and present you with a welcome kit full of goodies. You will also receive considerable savings by registering in advance, especially if you do so during the discounted early registration period. Also, we will be unable to accept credit cards or checks as payment at the conference. All registrations made at the door will have to be paid for in cash.

11. Are any airlines offering discounts for ArachnoCon attendees?
— Yes, we currently have an arrangement with American Airlines. Some restrictions apply. Please click here for info.

12. Are any rental car companies offering discounts for ArachnoCon attendees?
— Yes, we have an exclusive arrangement with Enterprise. Please click here for info.

ArachnoExpo

1. Do registered ArachnoCon guests have to pay additional fees to enter the ArachnoExpo?
— No, entry is included in your registration fee and there will be a special registrant-only viewing of the ArachnoExpo on Saturday morning.

2. Do you have to be registered for the ArachnoCon to visit the ArachnoExpo?
— No, the main show on Saturday will be open to the public with an admission fee.

3. Do I have to be a registered vendor to sell animals?
— Yes, only official vendors may bring live animals into the ArachnoExpo and live animal sales are not permitted at the headquarters hotel (Spring Hill Suites). Click here for vendor information.

4. Do I have to register for the ArachnoCon to become an official vendor?
— No, but you will not have access to the lectures, field trips or other ArachnoCon events.

5. Is the ArachnoExpo family-friendly?
— Absolutely! People of all ages will enjoy seeing and buying livestock and merchandise that will be on exhibit. The vendors will be more than happy to answer questions and contribute to a wonderful experience. All animals will be safely and securely contained so there is no reason for fear.

6. Will I be able to touch a tarantula or other animal?
— Although we cannot police our vendors, animal handling will be discouraged. Many animals that will be on display are harmless, but for the safety of both the animals and attendees it is best that they remain secured in a container. Many tarantulas have urticating hairs that can cause discomfort to the skin and mucous membranes. We can't stop an experienced vendor from handling his or her own animals in your presence, but we will strongly recommend that they do not permit handling by others.