Issue 36 CHAMPS Show Magazine August 2022

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ISSUE 36 - AUGUST 2022

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Content Looking Back at CHAMPS: Chicago/Rosemont

ISSUE 36 AUGUST 2022

20

By Barry Carrie

Dog Days of Summer

By Kevin Dankman

Denver Pre-Show

By Elev A. Chun

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Advertiser Index 6

1836 KRATOM 31 ABR 90 AFG 16-17, 53 AK WHOLESALE 66 ALTERNATIVE HEALTH 73 ANG 38 B2B CANNABIZ WHOLESALER 81 BDD WHOLESALE 32, 75 BEAR QUARTZ 71 BENTFISH TRADING 29 BLAZER 59 CALIFARI 106 CELEBRATION PIPE 30 CHAMPS 12, 78-79, 88, 92, 93, 108-109 CHOICE INSIDE FRONT COVER SPREAD DELTA BOSS 34-35 DOOBTUBES 84 EARTH KRATOM 60 EAST WEST 27 ELITE GAS 14-15 EMPIRE GLASSWORKS 90 EXCLUSIVE DISTRIBUTORS 105 GOURMET INNOVATIONS 96 HEMPS 102 HERBAL SALVATION 21 HOMEGROWN HEMP 41 HORIZON WHOLESALE 97 HOSS GLASS 95 INDICA PUZZLES 104 KASHMIR 67 KR8TOM 42-43 KRATOMADE 82-83 KRAKEN KRATOM 55 L&K LOOPER 56-57 MAHA-K 103 MEGA DISTRIBUTION 72 MT BRANDS 13 MY BUD VASE 40 OMNI VAPES 22-23, 61 OPMS KRATOM 62-63 ORANGE CHRONIC CLEANER 89 PARTYNUTS 48-49 POWERHITTER 51 PUCKER 65 PURO CANNAGARS 91 REPUBLIC BRANDS 10-11 ROKIN VAPES 26 RYOT INSIDE BACK COVER SPREAD, BACK COVER SEAN DIETRICH 36-37 SEEDLESS 76-77 SMOKE BUDDY 98 SMOKE HOUSE 02-03, 5, 68-69 SMOKE ODOR 92 SMOKE TOKES 110-111 SOCIAL SMOKING 86 SOL TRADING 85, 87 STORE DISPLAYS 25 SUNSHINE JOY 99 SWAG 44-45 SWEATLEAF 80 TORO IMPORTS 50 VAPOR TECH 28, 58 VOODOO 94 WAKIT ROLLBOTS 46 WORLD OF LOTUS 47 ZAZA THC 74 ZIG ZAG 18-19 ZION HERBAL 8-9

CHAMPS SHOW MAGAZINE

Contacts

ISSUE 36 AUGUST 2022

Publisher

CHAMPS Trade Shows

Editorial Director Kevin Dankman

Ad Sales:

Kevin Dankman Office 818-616-7424

Credits Writing:

Barry Carrie Elev A. Chun Kevin Dankman

Photography: CHAMPS Staff

Cover Art: Sean Dietrich

Design & Layout: Sixxx

CHAMPS SHOW MAGAZINE

7

Looking Back

at CHAMPS

By Barry Carrie

Chicago/Rosemont After a long hiatus from the Chicagoland Area, CHAMPS Trade Show rolled into town to an unprecedented welcome. The Rosemont convention center was one of the nicest places to be. The staff was friendly to the people who did follow the rules… slightly stern with all the rest of you outlaws!

Busy show floor

There was a lot of anticipation leading into this show, with very little empirical data to follow. All they had was some gut feelings and one hell of a promotion.

CHAMPS Trade Show planned to give away a new store worth $75,000 at a fantastic party after-show event. CHAMPS took over Joe's Live event space and threw one hell of a party.

Big Thanks to Pony Boy and DJ Hydro for throwing down a great set, and the guys from 4 Sure DJs for holding it down the rest of the night! The Drinks were flowing and the music was bumping throughout the night as the Dankman thanked and praised the great sponsors and gave away the prizes.

Anxious buyers waiting to get in

Welcome to the show KRAKEN was loose

LOOPER booth

4th Place was Ash from Ash's in Addison, Illinois. He won a $250 Hotel voucher that he traded in for $200 Cash!

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FUME booth

CHAMPS SHOW MAGAZINE

...Looking Back at CHAMPS 3rd Place was longtime show attendees Claire and Mike from Cloud 9. Also, in Illinois, they won a gift box from Beamer worth over $500 in wholesale value.

Publicity is key

2nd Place winner of a fantastic guitar signed by the band Foreigner, a great memorabilia piece for any store, was taken home by Rommie at Smoke N Peace in TX. The Grand Prize winner was Zachary's Dabbery and Gallery in Walker, Minnesota.

In this case, Zach chose to invest in his current operation to make it everything he has always wanted. As a result, Zach at Zachary's Dabbery and Gallery will be able to say he has a full-blown Smoke shop by the time we make it to 2023 and our 24th year of CHAMPS. I'll get more into that with an in-depth interview in the next issue.

In addition to the big CHAMPS Store Giveaway, CHAMPS Glass Games brought some of its heavy-hitters to the show to kick off its first year of live glassblowing in the Chicagoland area.

Six of the world's best, three artists on each team, went head to head for a $20,000 grand prize.

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

Carsten and Hoobs doing some teamwork Eush doing some fascinating faceting

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.

These two teams put in the prep and brought some spectacular pieces to assemble.

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Let's start with the final piece from Team Everdream: The Rainbow Projector. It literally sent rainbows across the table as the light showed on it.

Detail in the filla is epic

What a color combo. Not sure what the purple sparkle was, but it reminded me of something you'd find where Unicorms roam — accented with some serious rainbows from WJC and space sections custom made

by N8 Miers. The mibs are made up of beautifully matched silver fume implosions that sparkled in all the facets that were positioned around the entire piece.

This thing shot rays of color from every angle. The photographers had their hands full, trying to avoid the glare. Many hours of tedious work went into making this thing bling.

When it comes to the winning piece, it deserved its win.

The Rainbow Projector

...Looking Back at CHAMPS

Showing off the facet work

Meet The Terpinator! This masterpiece was a spectacular achievement in collaboration with Hoobs Glass and Carsten Carlisle.

It would look amazing in any museum.

In a homage to the past and future, all in one, the team "Molten Art," not Molten Aura… I may have had a case of the wrong name during the beginning of the awards, but the guys were quick to correct me.

The eyes have it... The Winner

The piece was stunning, with gears, opals, and panels, all of them seamlessly assembled.

The hours they must have put in to get to this point are hard to calculate. Learning, Continues On Page 39 CHAMPS SHOW MAGAZINE

The Terpenator

Josh, aka JOP, lead an all-star team in an all-out build to the finish. Like something from the past and brought to the future.

The crushed opal accents were spot on

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...Looking Back at CHAMPS working, and practicing all the different techniques you need to pull off such a massive piece. Not only that, they did it on display at the show. With all the variables they had to contend with, they made it happen. The use of opals as accents was spectacular, and the color they used for the teeth was realistic. The pictures are great, but you need to go to whatever museum this lands in to see it in person.

With all the excitement, it is easy to forget the real workhorses of the show.

Companies like Cake bring snack cakes to every show! Then there is the fantastic crew at Kratomade, they might not bring snacks, but they are usually happy to buy you a drink to wash your snack down!

Another crew we love to stop in and chat with is the Drip Drop, Doug, and his crew.

These guys throw down so hard at every show… I know personally that the NO-FUN police have had to try and contain their party since it's always a wild one.

The After Party & photo booth pictures

These Companies are known successes with an excellent track record, so be sure to check 'em out.

The Chicago / Rosemont Show will quickly become one of our largest attended shows.

You could tell by the buzz from vendors and buyers that they liked coming to this location.

It seems the potential is endless. The CHAMPS Staff can't wait to get back and explore more of what the windy city offers.

See you in Denver!

Sept 27th and 28th CHAMPS SHOW MAGAZINE

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dog days of summer

By Kevin Dankman

A tale of the Florida heat and wild packs of rotting undead dogs.

Before Covid sent the world spinning, the Florida summer heat was humid and nasty.

Sweating profusely from every pore was a common occurrence. In the world we live in now, the heat and humidity are even more brutal.

Giant mutated Mosquitoes the size of hummingbirds buzz around the swamps and canals. Luckily, they don’t like human blood anymore. They are mostly found feasting on the rotting flesh of corpses and mutated animals.

When you see them, it is like a natural alarm…

Something is close by, but chances are it isn’t something good. That’s the only reason we were somewhat ready for what happened that day down in the Ocala National Forest.

We had been trail hopping and following the old powerline roads through the forest when we spotted the first pack. We stopped to assess the danger of some water hazards, checking depth and, if anything, metal was at the bottom waiting to destroy our tires. This process takes time. Being stuck and broken is more complicated and time-consuming, so we go with safety first.

The crew had grown with the addition of a couple from Pensacola. Their rig had blown a transmission while heading south, looking for a lost friend. They were competent and worked well with the team, so they were welcomed with Continues On Page 54 52

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... CONTINUED open hearts. They were stationed on the lookout while we cleared the way.

Over the walkie, Pidgeon alerted us, “Something’s in the forest… you can hear it stalking us in the underbrush…We are heading your way….”

We were almost finished clearing the hole when they came running full speed screaming…

Of course, we couldn’t understand what they were saying, so we were all prepared for the worst.

Just as they got into total views, like out of a horror film… Pidgeon was snatched from the trail… When Daniel stopped at the convoy and looked back, he immediately fell to the ground in despair and disbelief. They had almost made it…

You could hear the screams and see the rustling in the wooded area off-trail, not 20 yards from us.

Whatever it was, there was more than one.

We pulled our equipment in and stowed it just in time to see the first of the wild mutated zombiod dogs stalking our way down the trail.

This was a new breed of ridiculous, the size of giant wolves, drooling an acid-like goo that sticks to flesh and melts it like a flame to wax.

Huge teeth and claws, once they were on the pavement, you could hear the ticktacks of each nail digging into the ground. They were a terrifying sight to behold.

We headed towards an old warehouse we knew on the edge of the forest… if it was empty, we could rally inside and start the process of figuring out our foe.

Abandoning caution and made a b-line towards the warehouse. We weren’t sure if we would outrun them, but we would sure try.

We made it safely to the building, and as hoped, it was abandoned and empty.

The team quickly set up some wireless observation tools and silent alarms so we would know if they were close. The place was on lockdown, so we barricaded all the doors and the first-floor window. In addition, we stationed two lookouts on the roof and one at the only first-floor window.

Once the control center was up and running, monitoring and learning our predator’s MO would be easy.

It wasn’t long before the first group was spotted.

They looked lost… almost blind… wandering down the same trail we came in on. So, we decided to test them.

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The rest of us manage to get into vehicles and through the water obstacles safely. Fortunately, the demon dogs stayed behind the waterline and started seemingly looking around for a way to get around it. Unfortunately, it wouldn’t be long before they were back on our trail. We needed to get to a safer location and figure out how to kill and deter these horrid beasts.

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... CONTINUED

We shot a flare from behind the building in their direction. There was almost no reaction to the light, but once the spent flare hit the ground… flies on shit… vibration, the dogs were sensitive to the earth’s vibrations. Just about then, as we realized what drew them in, one of our crew jumped down from the vehicle’s roof. One heavy thump was all it took to arouse their suspicion.

Within moments there were 3 pacing around the building in a circle. A creepy slow death circle. Two larger, slower dogs slowly walked within the ring, digging their claws into the ground. The common thought was they were older, more sensitive, and able to triangulate the heartbeats inside the circle.

They could sense any motion inside.

Although we felt safe inside, their heads moved with every move we made within the building. How could we get out of this?

What was their next step... and what was ours?

We hunkered down for the night and began working up the plan…

Schugar was first to bring up using our broadcast equipment to confuse or run them off. Maybe if we could overstimulate them, they would leave.

We hadn’t brought any loudspeakers or woofers, so it was gonna be some ingenuity involved, but the team got to work.

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... CONTINUED We attached small high-frequency speakers to a few Remote Control cars and sent them out around the building to see if it would disrupt the dogs’ senses.

There was no effect on them. They could feel it moving but paid no attention.

With the volume as high as possible, it was as if it were silent to them.

We brought them back in to adjust the frequency and try again. This time we attached some ultrasonic sound emitters to the cars. They were great for keeping pests like mosquitoes and flies away…

Again, the first reaction was they could tell the car was there but paid it no mind. So, we crept the cars slowly towards the stationary beasts.

The closer it got, the more agitated they became. It was like radar jamming… they frantically repositioned away from RC each time it got closer than 5 ft.

We were on to something. Now we knew what bothered their senses and how to manipulate them. So, we tested one last blast of sound at the peak level we could manage. It would surely kill the battery, but it might help determine what we needed to do.

We didn’t hear it… but they definitely did.

It must have been painful to them. After that, they ran as far away with no care about the prey in the building; we had cracked the code and found a way to deter more dangerous encounters with these deadly creatures.

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Mile High City,

We Comin'

By Elev A. Chun

Time to head back to the Mile High City for another experience like none other. Each CHAMPS Show is a unique and exciting piece of the yearly pie of life we eat.

New year, a new hall, and a whole new side of the building.

This year will be CHAMPS Trade Show’s first show in the D Hall. As you can see by the images on these pages we have mapped out where the show is for you. You can also look over the Denver Convention Center Website to see where it is for easy driving in or being dropped off.

If you are flying in, I would be remiss if I didn't address your first obstacle, getting from the airport to the downtown area.

Depending on your needs at the show, if you plan to visit the mountains or one of the few nationally registered star gazing points Colorado has to offer, definitely rent a car and ask for a 4-wheel drive if you plan to hit the mountains. You never know when there will be snow up that high.

Now, if you are used to city dwellings, the best and easy way into the city is the train.

With just a few stops before you get to the downtown area, it's there instantly.

If you want a more relaxed and 420friendly trip to your hotel of choice, you should search the interweb for the Discreet Continues On Page 107 100

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Colorado Convention Center Exhibit Level

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Mile High City...

Driver Services… This new service is my preferred way of getting to and from the hotel.

I know one of the Original discreet drivers, who always takes good care of me.

Of Course, there are taxis, Ubers, and shuttles to Downtown, so whatever way you like to travel, it's available.

We do hope you plan to stay with us at the Hampton Inn on 15th st. It's just one block from the convention center, and an excellent place smack between the convention center and the 16th Street Promenade. 16th Street is a hub of shopping, food, and entertainment.

You will likely find other show attendees and their crew perusing the local options each night.

If you require the weed we all love, there are many dispensary choices within walking distance or ready to deliver. It is the mile-HIGH city!

Once in town, whether you’re a Colorado local or flying in from out of state, there are a couple of dining options and entertainment options that might tickle your fancy.

Close enough to walk to lunch… Snarf's Sandwiches has a great menu, reasonable prices, and a taste that rivals any sub-shop I have Once you're at the show, we have some and anyone can play! Artists submit goblets ever been to. I HIGHly suggest you hit them up. exciting Glass Games for you. valued at a minimum of $200 wholesale.

When the number is called, whoever bought If you like a good sausage party… The Rhein Hugh and the team will bring another fun the tickets gets to pick their favorite. I have Haus Sausage is award-winning. They also game to the show, Milli/Murrini Checkers. seen some high-dollar goblets get won for have a full menu of European specialties for Another Keep what you win style game for the very little money! every taste, including vegetarian options for glassblowers to compete in. This event those who are against swallowing a sausage will complement the only other I advise everyone to try and get in this game! or two. keep-what-you-win game, Marbles. Judges will Judge both game piece sets before We look forward to seeing you at CHAMPS in If you're a big kid at heart like I am, 52 '80s Is a they play on the artistic representations in Denver, so please come and be part of the toy shop straight out of the '80s. All the toys their Marbles, Murrini or Milli. greatest smoke shop B2B event in the world. you wished you had as a child and all the ones If you can’t make it to Denver in September, your mom gave away or sold at yard sales. A Alongside the most popular game of all time, there is always Daytona Beach Florida true flashback for us 30-40 somethings.

November 1-3rd!

Goblet Grab! $200 gets you a ticket to win, CHAMPS SHOW MAGAZINE

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