47 Issue CHAMPS Show Magazine July 2023

Chicago After Show, The Windy City Wind Down

By Bernie Boulders

By Kevin Dankman

By Bernie Boulders

The atmosphere was electric as Champs rolled into Chicago for its 3rd time. Buyers, local and from afar, came to see what it was all about. They also went for the chance at a $10,000 prize.

CHAMPS Trade Shows gave away $10,000 to 2 P's Smoke Shop. Plamen and his cousin started the business in a low-income part of Chicago and do their best to keep prices low.

We asked them what they planned to do with their winnings.

"Buy more inventory, then go back to the low-income area that our store is in and give discounts so the community can enjoy it too."

We are sure they made the right choice!

The excitement showed and was a great part of the day for them and the CHAMPS staff. Shortly after, the winner from Atlantic City walked out and introduced himself to Plamen.

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Photos by the CHAMPS Staff

FLOAT booth

Everpresent FUME

MY BUD VASE is always so elegant

KASHMIR ROLLING PAPERS booth

JUICE HEAD booth

$10,000 Winner - 2 P’S Smoke Shop

STNR booth

PARTYNUTS booth KIK KALIBLOOM booth in full fashion THE MONSTER GROUP representing

The Glass Games presented an excellent Milli Madness Exhibition where some industries best collaborated to make epic art. Stephen, Gavin, Jerry, AJ, Punty, and Dave really brought amazing vibes to the show and put on a show everyone loved.

It was Stephen and his son Gavin's first CHAMPS Trade Show. They really had fun, and Stephen made his first solo pipe! Jerry and AJ Threw down and made a milli onsite. At the same time, Dave and Punty made some equally cool Dead-Themed Pieces.

Outside the fantastic prize that was given away, the show was as busy as ever, topping the previous record for attendance. The Shops were there to buy and buy they did. Many vendors said, "The Midwest buyers were different. They came ready to buy every day." The show floor was busy straight up to 6 o'clock on the third day."

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Photos by the CHAMPS Staff

6 Amazing Artists

The CHAMPS Glass Games commemorative pendant

3 Di erent Artist’s Murrinni Version of the Dead’s Steal Your Face

Stephen Boeme on the torch

Stephen rocking his new CHAMPS pendant

Father/Son team

Gavin Boehme on the torch Gavin gets his rst award from the glass games

Boehme gets his pendant

The sponsors went all out for the buyers. There were deals to be had on every Aisle. The first stop was Choice. Billy and his staff have been a regular smile on the show floors for years.

I stopped in at the Drip Drop Booth for a minute. They had a great atmosphere and a really exciting staff.

As usual, the Kratomade booth was playing some of the best music in the room with the stylings of Jerry Garcia and the Grateful Dead. Their staff is always the nicest. They love to have fun with their clients.

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Photos by the CHAMPS Staff

AJ Manger on the Torch

AJ Manger rocking his Pendy

Dave Strobel on the Torch Strobel gets his pendant

Jerry gets his Pendy

Jerry Kelly blowing glass

Jerry Kelly on the torch

Punty on the torch

Punty on the torch Punty wearing his new bling

Chicago After Show, The Windy City Wind Down

Maybe it was the Wrigly Dead Shows coming up, but the vibes brought me back to the Grateful Dead lot, Plenty of smiles, lots of fun, and many interesting people.

CHAMPS Trade Show ended the show with a huge BANG! We invited all the attendees to join us at the local park for Live Music, Food, Drinks, and a genuinely epic Fireworks Show.

Now we are off to Las Vegas for the Vegas Summer Show! See you at the Las Vegas Convention Center July 19-22nd, 2023.

Everyone loves Coke

Van Coast had a great selection

Sili booth

All smiles in the 1836 booth

Always something good in B2B Wholesaler in B2B Wholesaler

In the heartland of the United States, there lived a remarkable eagle named Freedom J. Eagleton. Freedom J. Eagleton was no ordinary eagle. He possessed an extraordinary ability to talk. In fact, he spoke just as fast as lightning, captivating anyone who heard him. With his sharp wit, charisma, and undying love for his country, he became known as the fastest-talking ultra-patriotic eagle in all the land.

Now, the Fourth of July was always a special day for Freedom J. Eagleton. It symbolized the essence of freedom and independence, values he held dear. Every year, as the nation prepared for its grand celebrations, Freedom had a unique way of commemorating the occasion. He would gather his closest friends, both animal, and human, in a secluded forest grove where they could celebrate in their own special way.

In preparation for the festivities, Freedom would carefully select the finest quality joints, each one hand-rolled with precision. He believed that the combination of freedom, patriotism, and a touch of relaxation was the perfect recipe for an unforgettable Fourth of July celebration.

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illustrations by Dall-E

THE TALE OF

As the sun began to set on the eve of Independence Day, the forest grove came alive with anticipation. Freedom, perched high on a tall oak tree, called out to his friends with his lightning-fast speech. "Gather 'round, my fellow patriots!" he exclaimed. "It's time to celebrate the birth of our great nation, to embrace the spirit of freedom and unity!"

One by one, his friends arrived, each one carrying their own personal contribution to the festivities to share amongst the gathered. His friends filled the air with laughter, camaraderie, and the faint scent of freshly rolled joint...

As they settled around a large bonfire, Freedom took center stage, addressing the gathering with his characteristic speed and enthusiasm.

"Friends!" he began, his words flowing like a river. "On this sacred day, we honor the courage of our forefathers who fought for the liberties we hold dear. We celebrate the ideals that unite us, that make us proud to be citizens of this great land. And what better way to commemorate this moment than with a touch of relaxation, a puff of tranquility? Let freedom ring and the smoke rise!"

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illustrations by Dall-E

Pencil Drawing | Smoke rising from a crowd of people at a speech given by an eagle

THE TALE OF

With a swift motion, Freedom lit the first joint, passing it around the circle. The gentle aroma of cannabis mingled with the crackling of the bonfire, creating an ambiance of pure bliss. As each member of the gathering took a puff, a sense of relaxation washed over them, allowing their worries to drift away.

Amidst the laughter and conversation, Freedom continued to share stories of patriotism and heroism, recounting tales of the nation's history that he had learned from the wise old owl, Professor Wisdom. His words resonated with the hearts of those present, inspiring a renewed appreciation for the freedoms they enjoyed.

As the night wore on, fireworks exploded in the distance, painting the sky with vibrant colors. Freedom spread his wings wide, symbolically embracing the vastness of the land he cherished. "We are united in our pursuit of liberty," he exclaimed passionately. "May the spirit of freedom soar high, not only today but every day!"

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illustrations by Dall-E

Colored Pencil Drawning | Fireworks in a forest grove on a starry night

illustrations by Dall-E

And so, Freedom J. Eagleton, the fast-talking ultra-patriotic eagle, and his friends celebrated the Fourth of July in their own unique way. In that forest grove... under the starry night sky... they reveled in the freedom to express their love for their country and the joy of sharing moments of relaxation and unity.

From that day forward, every Fourth of July, the tale of Freedom J. Eagleton's celebration spread far and wide. It was becoming a legendary tradition that captured the imagination of a nation.

By the CHAMPS Staff

Vegas,

The Updated Details

Not only can you fill your shop at CHAMP’S Trade Show, but you can also win a whole new one!

Last Month We told you about the massive giveaway at CHAMPS Trade Show in Las Vegas, where they will give away FOUR stores to existing store owners. Since that publication, they have added an entirely new store for an Existing Adult Shop Owner!

So, CHAMPS will give away FIVE stores instead of FOUR!

If you calculate what each winner can make in 1 year off their winnings, it's like CHAMPS is giving away a million bucks!

The odds of winning are amazingly in your favor! All you have to do is pre-register online, show up, and be there when they call your name.

CHAMPS Trade Show Gives back more than any other company out there. They give Glassblowers over $100,000 every year in their Glass Games Events. They have also raised thousands for Charity.

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“CHAMPS will give away FIVE stores instead of FOUR!”

Photo by Artem Labunsky on Unsplash

CHAMPS Summer Show also hosts the largest open glass event of the year. Glassblowers from around the world come to take a shot at one of eight competitions.

1. Rigdiculously small… Best Functioning small rig

2. Opaliscious… use the “Dopal’s Opals” Opal C Provided and create a functional piece. These will be tested for function and cleaned professionally after

3. Yin vs. Yang light versus dark

4. Gold - n - Dreams, Gold fumed pieces only. Make it something buyers dream of owning.. (Golden Dreams)

5. Buddies, two are better than one. This will be a two-person collab

6. In 20 minutes Time… what can you make out of this random glass in 20 minutes? Inspired by the EGS Glass Challenge

7. Venetian: Look it up… Translate Venetian style into a piece

8. 1-7 = ROYGBIV what is ROYGBIV? … Red, Orange, Yellow, Green, Blue, Indigo, and Violet make a Rainbow. Incorporate it into your piece

Winners will take home $250 for 3rd Place, $500 for 2nd, and $1000 and a trip to the Masters for 1st place winners.

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Photo by David Clode on Unsplash

If you win, here are a few suggestions for new places to eat. We have never tried them, but we have a reservation to eat at two of these three this summer.

First up, CLEAVER.

https://www.cleaverlasvegas.com /cleaver-las-vegas

With bone marrow and Charred Octopus on the starters menu and offerings like Surf and Turf, Squid Ink Pasta, and our favorite, the Porterhouse for Two, on the dinner menu, we had to find out about this spot. From their website," Cleaver is an ode to the hustle and bustle of a classic Las Vegas steakhouse, featuring an expanded, seasonal kitchen menu. "

We absolutely adore the classic Steakhouse experience in every city we go to. We have eaten at many steakhouses and were more eager to book a reservation here than ever. I didn't know when we started writing this, but Cleaver came after Herbs and Rye, which we also determined was worth being mentioned.

Next, Cafe Lola.

www.Ilovecafelola.com

We were sent this gem from a colleague and instantly knew this would be a great spot to send the Ladies! This place is so pink and pretty; It's a bastion of femininity and luxury. Their menu boasts fantastic lunch and sandwich offerings and an amazing Beverage Menu. Unicorn Lemonade sounds like a dreamy way to get your sweet tooth off. "Made with hibiscus tea, house-made lemonade, butterfly tea, and cotton candy," it will look like art as you drink it.

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Cafe Lola

Cleaver

Last but not least…

Actually, it came before Cleaver… Herbs and Rye.

https://www.herbsandrye.com/

This spot is an off-strip steak house that caters to service workers, open late and with Happy hours from 5-8 and Midnight-? This deal means high-end meats and pasta dishes at regular man prices. Half-price steaks for everyone!! The atmosphere looks straight out of the 30s, and their drink menu pays homage to the different decades of drinking. "I'll have a Hemingway Daiquiri, please."

None of these restaurants have paid for or participated in this; we like offbeat local joints and look for them everywhere we go. We search them out not for their fame or what fancy hotel they are in but for how unique and interesting they are. These small distinct places can be busy, so it's best to have a reservation. So, we suggest you get on the ball now.

If you are not a foodie and you're not looking to party after the show, Vegas has plenty of very interactive art experiences.

There is the recently famous Meow Wolf sporting unique art in perspectives hard to see anywhere else.

The Oldest and our favorite destination, the Neon Graveyard! Acres of old Handblown Glass Neon to admire and relive the golden age of Neon in Vegas.

The recently opened TRANSFIX Exhibit looks to be this year's big stop for all the kids who enjoy interactive psychedelic adventures. Our tickets are booked already at the early bird price of $29; it can be as much as $49 per person, so get your tickets now!

By the CHAMPS Staff

We have yet to mention a place we know many of my friends have been visiting in Vegas...

Top Golf at the MGM.

If you are a pro golfer or a bushwhacker, this can be a fun night with friends enjoying some no-stress games with golf clubs and balls. Even someone who hasn't even swung a golf club can play there! So, if sports is your thing, head over for some fun networking and team-building one night.

Vegas is the world's best Business Write off you can imagine. Work during the day and live an Instafamous life at night with fine dining and entertainment

choices. Don't let the clock tic toc past your chance at making big content in Las Vegas.

Come for CHAMPS Trade Show and write off all the fun you can have!

Las Vegas Convention Center

July 19-22nd 2023!

Herbs and Rye

Top Golf