Issue 24 CHAMPS Show Magazine March April 2021

Contacts

Publisher

CHAMPS Trade Shows

Editorial Director Kevin Dankman

Ad Sales: Kevin Dankman

Office 818-616-7424

Writing: Kevin Dankman

Photography: CHAMPS Staff Photographer Sly Vegas

Cover Art: Sean Dietrich

Design & Layout: Sixxx

ISSUE 24

MARCH/APRIL 2021

By the time we get to 4/20 this year, the nation will have changed drastically from last year. A new president is in place, COVID-19 vaccines have rolled out, and to our surprise, the streets aren't lined with brain-eating zombies. We are not in the middle of a civil war. There are signs of recovery, and things are re-opening all over the country. We are not out of the woods yet, but we are on course to be there soon.

One thing that won't be different?

There will be 4/20 celebrations all over the world, and your store should still be the benefactor of another great day of sales.

In past 420 issues, I wrote a little story for you to explain some of the things I think work best on 4/20, all based on successful events I have attended over the years. In 2021, I decided that instead, I will entertain you with a little piece of fiction.

So, imagine, if you will, a world divided by politics, illness, and brainless vaccinated zombies.

Your store still needs to make currency so your family can live safely ensconced in your newly renovated zombie-proof home.

As a business, what are you going to do? Just give in?... or fight for what is yours? We suggest you fight it. Fight it hard! Like former President TRUMP said to his insurrectionist crowd, "you gotta fight like hell!"

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SHOP SHOTS

was the winner and get to know him a little bit, I always like it when I meet the owner that has the One-Stop mentality. One-stop for all your smokin’ needs. That’s his drive, make his spot the one spot to go. It reminded me of a time in CHAMPS history around 2001, When Tommy Chong and I were talking at our booths about the industry, Tommy said to me, “If I had my way we would turn old supermarkets into massive culture stores full of smoking accessories including his then brand CHONG Glass!

His team is trained and educated, they believe that good well informed customers are happy to shop with you. You could tell in his voice that he had a passion for passing information.

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Puff Munkey Smoke Shop | 1520 E. Abram Street | Arlington, Texas 76010

Shawn wanted to share that his company is growing and he has a plan to continue spreading knowledge. Not only is he opening a new munchies spot next to the Munkey he also has already started spotting locations for his next Puff Munkey Location. His advice to other shop owners out there was, “Learn as much as you can and follow-through, if you want it, go for it!”

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Here is what they had to say about their shop:

We are a newer smoke shop in the Dallas/Fort Worth Metroplex only just celebrating our 1 year anniversary on Nov 1, 2020.

We are a close-knit family here, as our staff comprises of myself, my girlfriend, and my best friend of 24 years. The 3 of us worked tirelessly for months doing construction to turn an empty shell into the amazing smoke shop you see today.

Together we wanted to create a smoke shop that would deliver not only great products and service but a place where we can educate our patrons to help them create the best smoking experience possible. We are always constantly working and educating ourselves on all the new products and exciting advances in this boundless world of smoke.

Our eyes were truly opened to the smoking world when we visited our first CHAMPS Trade Show in Las Vegas this past year. An experience that we will never forget. Seeing tubes of glass turned into amazing works of art, meeting industry leaders, and just the vast amount of knowledge that was bestowed upon us. We are excited to use these experiences to help us grow to better serve our patrons. We look forward to all the new adventures to come and hope that CHAMPS can help us get to the next level.

CELEBRITIES at CHAMPS

By Kevin Dankman

Being part of the CHAMPS Family the last couple of decades has brought me upfront and personal with many Smoke Shop Industries Celebrities. You never know who will show up. Back in the beginning, there was always one star in the house, Tommy Chong. He was the first of what has become a long and illustrious list of celebrity cameos at CHAMPS. One might venture to say that they are fast approaching the Simpsons in total cameos.

Back then, Tommy was just there to work. It wasn't a special occasion; it was a family business. Tommy and his Wife Shelby would often be in the booth helping Paris with orders and being the funniest and cutest couple at the show. It was much less common back then for a celebrity to endorse a product.

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Boom Vaporizer CEO Henry with Tommy Chong

But Celebs still came to see the spectacle that is CHAMPS. Some more memorable ones are what I'll focus on here — starting with one of my childhood favorites and the WWF's best villain Iron Sheik. He was partaking and enjoying all he could. He even went on a long rant about how America's favorite Wrestler Hulk Hogan! What a good sport he was to have on the show floor.

One of my personal most memo rable moments might have been the year I got to spend some time and form a bond with Stevie Williams, founder of DGK. Mark at VOLO brought him around to see the show and what was happen ing. We hit it off and talked for a while. We have a plan to work on some exciting projects in the future. He wasn't the biggest celeb, and he wasn't there to draw a crowd. He was just a man doing business.

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Mike Tyson and uturola Crew

WWF’s Iron Sheik

was taken back to the Presidential suite at a fancy hotel. It was by far the best 4:20 sesh of all time. We had a Cook there feeding us, Tommy entertaining us, and as much as you could drink and smoke for free! The Blue-Mountain Crew took good care of us that year.

More recently, we have had Coolio, Wrestler RVD, Debo, Jay, and Silent Bob. They brought a decent crowd as well. They had good times for sure, so good they missed the morning breakfast the following morning. CHAMPS has a way of doing that to

Recently in Orlando, you might have spotted Darius McRary, better known as Eddie Winslow, in the 90's sitcom Family Matters. Darius was a vital part of the cast then and is an even more critical part of his new brand, Winn Slow. I met with him and did a little impromptu introduction to the buyers at the Orlando CHAMPS Show.

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Darius McRary with the Dankman

Jay and Silent Bob

In the March Orlando show, we hear that NBA Legend Dennis Scott will be at the Lit Booth all three days, shooting the shit instead of the three-pointers!

You never really know who will show up at a CHAMPS Show. You know one simple fact: CHAMPS Will bring the best companies and stores together every time!

Like I imagine Debo said on the trade show floor, "If you ain't at CHAMPS, you'll get knocked the fuck out by your competition… just like I was in Friday."

Dennis Scott