Issue 42 CHAMPS Show Magazine February 2023

By Valerie N. Tines In The

By Kevin Dankman

Contacts

Publisher

CHAMPS Trade Shows

Editorial Director Kevin Dankman

Ad Sales: Kevin Dankman

Office 818-616-7424

Writing: Kevin Dankman

Valerie N. Tines

Photography: Champs Staff

Earth Smokes A Lot @earthsmokesalot2

Marlon Hightower @_ElseCollective

Cover: Sean Dietrich

Design & Layout: Sixxx

ISSUE 42 FEBRUARY 2023

Decorating a retail space for Valentine's Day can be a fun and effective way to boost sales and create a romantic atmosphere for customers. There are several reasons why Valentine's Day decor can be beneficial for a retail business in our industry.

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Decorating a retail space for Valentine's Day

By Valerie N. Tines

Photo by Jesse Goll on Unsplash

We here at the magazine recently received this testimonial about what happened when they added Adult Toys to their Shop:

“As the manager of a small SmokeShop, I was always looking for new and exciting products to add to our inventory. We carried everything from Bongs to Papers and everything in between. Many customers had asked for vibrators and dildos to BDSM gear and lubricants, and I took pride in the fact that we were smoke shop that offers our customers a wide selection of high-quality items.

One day, I was approached by a representative from a new company that specialized in creating innovative adult toys made from the highest-grade silicone and other body-safe materials. They had a new line of products that they believed would be a hit with our customers, and they asked if I would be interested in carrying them in our store.

I was intrigued, so I agreed to take a look at their catalog. As I leafed through the pages, I couldn't help but feel a sense of excitement. The toys were sleek and sophisticated, with bold colors and unique designs that I had never seen before. I knew right away that I wanted to carry them in our store.

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Photo by Artem Labunsky on Unsplash

But as I began to discuss the details with the representative, I started to feel a twinge of nervousness. I knew that some people might view our store as taboo or inappropriate, and I wasn't sure how the community would react to the presence of these new, more risqué items.

Despite my concerns, I decided to go ahead and place the order. I knew that our customers were open-minded and looking for new and exciting ways to explore their sexuality, and I believed that these toys would be perfect for them.

As the products arrived and we began to stock the shelves, I was surprised by the positive response we received. Customers were excited to see the new items, and many of them made purchases on the spot. It was clear that we had made the right decision.

And as the months went by and the business continued to thrive, I couldn't help but feel a sense of pride. I had taken a risk and followed my instincts, and it had paid off in a big way. I was proud to be able to offer our customers a wide range of high-quality adult toys, and I knew that we were making a positive impact on the lives of people all across the community.”

I want to thank the anonymous shop that was excited about our new Adult Gifts Section and wanted to let other shops know it was ok. To Exhibit or learn more, please go to www.Champstradeshows.com

Photo by We-Vibe Toys on Unsplash

Decorating a retail space

Photo by Amy Shamblen on Unsplash

In addition to attracting customers, Valentine's Day decor can also create a sense of excitement and anticipation in the store. Customers may be more likely to purchase if they're experiencing something special and unique. Bringing a romantic atmosphere to your store, creates a memorable and enjoyable shopping experience for your customers.

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Decorating a retail space for Valentine's Day

Decorating a retail space for Valentine's Day

Valentine's Day decor can also be used to highlight specific products or promotions. For example, if you have a particular item that you want to sell as a Valentine's Day gift, you can create a display that showcases the product and its romantic features. This can be an effective way to draw attention to the item and encourage sales. Similarly, you can use Valentine's Day decor to create a sense of urgency around promotions or sales, encouraging customers to take advantage of the deals while they last.

Another way that Valentine's Day decor can benefit your business is by creating a sense of community and connection among your customers. Valentine's Day is often a time for people to come together and celebrate love and relationships, and by bringing this spirit to your store, you can foster a sense of belonging and connection among your customers. This can be especially important for small businesses, which often rely on a strong sense of community to thrive.

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Decorating a retail space for Valentine's Day

I had a store mention having a mixer or speed dating event for the customers that don't have partners. I spent a good portion of my life as a single woman, and I thought this was a great Idea.

Overall, decorating your retail space for Valentine's Day can be a valuable investment for your business. By attracting customers, creating excitement and anticipation, and highlighting products and promotions, Valentine's Day decor can help to drive sales and create a romantic and enjoyable atmosphere for your customers. So whether you choose to go all out with elaborate displays or opt for a more subtle approach, adding a touch of Valentine's Day cheer to your store can be a win-win for you and your customers.

Photo by Luis Carmona on Unsplash

By Kevin Dankman

For all of you who are new to the CHAMPS World, welcome to the world of CHAMPS Glass Games. CHAMPS Glass Games Masters Competition is a year-long competition where glass blowers compete at every CHAMPS Event for a Chance to win. In each show, the Glass Games team creates events to let them earn their way into the Masters. This Year the artists will compete for over $100,000 in cash and prizes, with $20,000 cash plus prizes going to the 1st place winner.

The journey started in May at the Atlantic City CHAMPS Show. This Venue hosts the first event where glass blowers get the chance to win cash and a chance at a big prize in the Masters.

Four categories were in play. Blow Not Suck, Tool-less, Clear-rig, and Favorite Cartoon Character. Ford 20, Enjoy and Prosper, and Aaron U earned cash and their trip to the Masters at that show with their first-place wins.

The next stop on the circuit was Chicago, where the team put two All-Star teams together to compete in an entirely new manner.

The theme was "In a Museum" The artists were tasked to make something worthy of a museum.

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1st Place Eternal Flameworks

Vegas Bling 1st Place Eternal Flameworks

Goblet Grab

1st Place Rye Dyer

Photos from: Previous Editions of CHAMPS Show Magazine

Team 1: Team Everdream, led by the nicest guy on the torch Eusheen, with N8 Miers and WJC.

Team 2: Team Molten Art, Captained by JOP, with Hoobs and Carsten Carlisle alongside him.

Team 2: Team Molten Art, Captained by JOP, with Hoobs and Carsten Carlisle, won and took their ride to the masters and a bunch of cash home.

The team followed up with a fantastic display at the Summer Vegas Show. Here is the list of summer events and the winners:

Submission Games:

Smash Off:

RC car Demolition returned with Best in Show going to the Masters.

Live Games:

Vegas Bling

Gambling

BlackJack

Poker

Craps

Roulette

Baccarat

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Craps

1st Place

Hic Dogg

Gambling 1st Place

Terry Sharp

Is It Real?

1st Place Pedro Grime Glass

At the end, the following winners were announced.

Submission Games:

Smash Off Build: 1st- Habitat Glass

Live Games:

Vegas Bling:

1st- Eternal Flameworks

Baccarat:

1st- Terry Sharp

Roulette: 1st- Habitat Glass

Craps: 1st- Hicdogg

Black Jack: 1st- Smitty Glass Art

Poker: 1st- Tony Kazy Glass

Gambling: 1st- Terry Sharp

Denver was then the next stop with some really exciting annual events.

Goblet Grab and The Game of Marbles were the two traditional games this year. In addition, the crew included Milli Checkers, and an “Is It Glass” category to round out the events.

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Solo Live 1st Place Noah Armor Glass

The Rainbow Projector

The advancing winners were: Goblet Grab:

1st Rye Deyer Glass

Is It Glass:

1st Grime Glass

Marbles - Best Set:

1st Jes Durfee

Millie Checkers - Best Set:

1st BMFT Glass

The year's last stop was Daytona Beach, Florida, where they had three awesome games to get a chance at the masters. Bring in Solo Charity Piece, Made on-site solo Charity Piece, Best Of Show Car in the first ever Glass Bash where two cars bash head first into each other.

Glass Bash Best-in-Show Results:

1st Stucky (Chose not to compete.)

Solo On-Site Winners

1st Armor Glass Noah

Solo Bring In Submission Winners

1st Charisma

Winners could pass on one of their spots in the Masters to someone they thought was ready for the CHAMPS Glass Games Masters Experience.

The Final list of Contestants will be judged by three amazing artists. Dellene Peralt, Malaquis, Hendy.

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Roulette

1st Place

Habitat Glass

Marble Set

1st Place

Cartoon

1st Place

Aaron U Glass

The final list:

Aaron U

Ford 20

Plug a Nug

Enjoy and Prosper

JOP

Carsten

Hoobs

Joe P

Sven

Puntington

Habitat

Happytime

Tony Kazy

Hicdogg

Terry Sharp

Eternal Flameworks

Charisma Interactives

Smitty

Greg Adams (Trident)

Icke

Windstar

BMFT

Jes Durfee

Made by Seif

Armor Noah

Nathan Belmont

Grime

With that said if you are looking for any work from these amazing artists You better be at CHAMPS

Winter Show In Las Vegas February 8th - 11th 2023 where

CHAMPS kicks of year #24!

All Clear 1st Place Ford 20

Best In Show 1st Place

Habitat Glass

The Gears are Turning in his Head

Black Jack 1st Place Smitty Glass Art

RC Carshow 1st Place Stucky

Photo by David Clode on Unsplash