Why you shouldn't let your snake off the lead in the park

Last summer, residents in my neighbourhood were shocked to find the shed skin of a substantial snake. 

They were shocked because the skin was found in our local park.

Keep in mind that I live in a London suburb, not Florida or somewhere else exotic.  

A local "expert" identified the skin as belonging to a Boa Constrictor. 

Phew! At least it wasn’t poisonous like a Mamba or Rattlesnake. 

Still, for parents and dog walkers, it was not a happy find. 

The snake had probably outgrown its home and its owner. 

I doubt it was taken for a walk and let off the lead to play fetch. 

More likely, released into the wilds of north London to fend for itself when it outgrew its tank. 

The scariest part of the story is that a year on, it’s not been found. 

On our trips to exhibition halls around the country, we see examples of bizarre display ideas. 

To our minds, they’re the equivalent of the snake owner’s behaviour. 

There are two classics in this category. 

First, the stand that’s too small for the exhibits, so that they spill into the aisle (like the snake outgrowing its tank). 

In this case, visitors can't get to the stand to see what's on show. It's also likely that one or more exhibits must be removed for health and safety reasons as they infringe on an aisle. 

Second, the stand with barely anything on it. 

You know, a table and chair with perhaps a pull-up banner or, more often, a tatty poster on a shell scheme wall. 

Neither approach makes sense given the money invested in taking the space and the sales opportunity an event represents.

I’m sure neither of those things is something you would do which is why this link to a page that shows some of our most recently delivered stands will be of interest. 

If you’re planning for autumn events, now would be a good time to talk to us about design ideas for stands and graphics. 

We know very little about snakes, but we're excellent with stands.  

To start a conversation email [email protected] or call 01702 662 111. 

Image by Sippakorn Yamkasikorn on Unsplash