CHAMPS Trade Show recently came back to the Las Vegas Convention Center July 27-30th hosting over 1,000+ exhibitor booths including many of the cannabis and glass industry’s top companies. This event is the premier counterculture b2b expo since 1999, with shows in multiple cities.
Respect My Region was able to gain media access on the final day to network and capture the energy of this massive trade show. This was my third time attending this legendary event and I was excited to see how the industry is progressing in the wake of COVID-19.
The vendors and attendees came from a wide number of industries. These include cannabis, vape, smoke shops, glassblowers, 420 counter-culture, adult novelty, dispensaries, and industry professionals. A few specific products included tobacco/nicotine products and accessories, glass pieces, CBD, clothing, and even some specialty gift items.
This show is typically known as a mainstay in the cannabis industry and despite there being less press and media hype surrounding this year’s event, the turnout was still incredible. CHAMPS really gives retailers and wholesale buyers/sellers an opportunity to organically connect and establish lasting relationships. The enormous showroom floor was buzzing with activity as attendees moved about striking up conversations with vendors. Each company had amply visible representation in the gigantic centralized marketplace.
Some of the event’s most notable sponsors included Vaporite, Herbal Clean, Cali Kulture, Lit Culture, Ooze, and many more.
Images via @champstradeshows on IG
CHAMPS Glass Games
There was a large area set aside in the middle of the enormous showroom for all of the independent glassblowers to compete as part of the CHAMPS Glass Games. This is a world-renowned glassblowing competition that features many elite artists competing in a live glassblowing event. The whole competition was inspired by Matty White and when it came time to crown a winner, the crowd was legitimately huge.
Next to the competition area was the All-American Glass Glass Section, showcasing local glassblowers from across the United States. This area definitely had a farmers market feel to it that felt humbling amidst so many big brand activations. It was fun to browse around small booths run by one or two people that more than likely blew the glass themselves. I was able to meet and exchange info with so many amazing artists. A few that I met with were Sandberg Glass, Habitat Glass, Talent Glass Works, and Jon “Shaggy” Boley who took home his 18th Gold from CHAMPS Glass Games.
Favorite Booths and Activations/Celebrity Appearances
Considering that there were over 1,000 exhibitors in the Las Vegas Convention Center, there was certainly quite a bit to check out at this year’s Champs. Some of my favorite booths were from Rapper Kush (they had a lounge above their activation,) Tiki Quartz, Sky High, Futurola, Boundless Tech, RAW, and the Jerome Baker booth (where the man himself was there with Tommy Chong even showing up at one point.) Mike Tyson also made an appearance at the Futurola booth during the course of the trade show. @Freewayricky was also caught in the act chilling over at the Rapper Kush lounge too!
Some of the unique products I really enjoyed included the Bee Wick brand with their specialty wick products, the Honey Labs group, and their Honey Dabber pieces, and then we’re also big fans of the DIMO Hemp team because of their infused candies and bright branding.
Jerome Baker and Tommy Chong
CHAMPS Is Coming To New Jersey & Colorado!
CHAMPS Trade Show isn’t done yet. They will be bringing their giant trade show to the East Coast on August 31st through September 2nd at the Atlantic City Convention Center in New Jersey. At the end of September, CHAMPS will be at the Colorado Convention Center on the 28th and 29th. Don’t miss your chance to be a part of the biggest trade show in the cannabis industry and sign up now. Apply as a buyer or an exhibitor.
