52 Issue CHAMPS Show Magazine December 2023

ED BY: SOR N O

ISSUE 52 - DECEMBER 2023

CO V E R SP

PAGE 31

ISSUE 52 | DECEMBER 2023

CONTENT 20 64 92

Tampa Show Recap

By Kevin Dankman

Maximizing End-Of-Year Holiday Sales

By Chris Mistletoe

Road to the Masters

By Kevin Dankman

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CHAMPS SHOW MAGAZINE

ADVERTISERINDEX

ISSUE 52 | DECEMBER 2023

7 DAZE / GRDNT 38 1836 KRATOM 31 ABR 90 ADYAH 42-43 AFG 16-17, 53 AK WHOLESALE 21 ART ROLLS 86 BDD WHOLESALE 32, 73 BENTFISH TRADING 29 BLACKWOODS WRAPS 98 BLAZER 59 CALI KULTURE 10-11 CANNAAIDE 25 CHAMPS 13, 54, 76, 78, 112, IBC CHOICE BOTANICALS INSIDE FRONT COVER SPREAD DURITY DIST 47 EARTH KRATOM 22-23 EAST WEST TRADING 27 EMPIRE GLASSWORKS 90 FANTASY GIFTS 94 FRESH SAN DIEGO 82-83 FORMULA 420 80-81 FUME 12 GOURMET INNOVATIONS 79 GREENBEAR 99 GS NUTRA 52 HERBAL SALVATION 101 HIXOTIC 88 KASHMIR 67 KRAKEN KRATOM 55 KRATOMADE 8-9 LOOPER 56-57 M DISTRIBUTION 77 OCTO INNOVATIVE SOLUTIONS 39 OMNI DISTRIBUTION 60-61 OPMS KRATOM 62-63, 104 PARTY NUTS 48-49 PAYLESS DIST 72, 105 PHRESH PICKS 65 ROKIN VAPES 26 SBK 14-15 SHISHA TECH 71 SMOKE BUDDY 108-109 SMOKE HOUSE 2-3, 68-69, 97 SMOKE ODOR 30 SMOKE TECH ONE 36-37, 95 SOL TRADING 85, 87 SOS 102-103 STR8 BRAND 5 STRIO 74-75 SWAG 44-45 TORO IMPORTS 50 TRIANGLE WHOLESALE 84 ULTIMATE PRODUCT DISTRIBUTORS 34-35 VAPE GUYS INC (VGI) 89 VAPOR TECH 28, 58 VPR 91 WAKIT GRINDERS 46 WCG INC 110-111 WHOLE HERBS KRATOM 41 WORLD OF LOTUS 24 ZIG-ZAG 18-19 ZION HERBAL BACK COVER

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CHAMPS SHOW MAGAZINE

ISSUE 51 | NOVEMBER 2023

CREDITS Writing:

Chris Mistletoe Kevin Dankman

Photography:

The CHAMPS Staff

Design & Layout: Sixxx

CONTACTS Publisher

CHAMPS Trade Shows

Editorial Director Kevin Dankman

Ad Sales:

Kevin Dankman Office 818-616-7424 CHAMPS SHOW MAGAZINE

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Tampa

By Kevin Dankman

When the CHAMPS Trade Show team flew into Tampa, they all said how beautiful it was right on the waterside of the beautiful Tampa Bay. For me, being a previous resident of the area, it was a pleasant reminder of the beauty of the Tampa, St. Pete area.

Show

Recap

Tampa was a bustling place full of business and excitement. Many people came in from out of state, and the locals showed up in droves. They were all there to see the great vendors and find the newest and best products. They also had a chance at winning $5,000 each day! CHAMPS gave away $5,000 in cold hard cash to a lucky, randomly selected shop owner.

This year's winners were: Day 1, Brennan’s Smoke Shop in Brockton, Massachusetts.

Day 2, Marley’s Smoke Shop in Fort Myers, Florida.

Day 3, Kush Cloud Smoke Shop in Tampa, Florida.

Day 1 Winner - Geoffrey - Brennan’s Smoke Shop - Brockton, Massachusetts

Day 3 Winner - Audrey - Kush Cloud Smoke Shop - Tampa, Florida Competitors

Those weren’t the only winners in Tampa, as reports say all the vendors were winners due to great buyers like these showing up and actually purchasing inventory for the holidays!

Of Course, the Glass Games team invited the heat to Tampa. They had a make-your-piece at home and bring it in the contest with three different themed categories.

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CHAMPS SHOW MAGAZINE

Tampa Show

Will It Float? 1st Place - Takoda Madrona

Skynet 1st Place - Empty 1 Glass

Skynet 1st Place - Empty 1 Glass

Will It Float? 1st Place - Takoda Madrona

Recap

Smoking Seacow 1st Place - SenOiH Glass

Smoking Seacow 1st Place - SenOiH Glass

2nd Place Skynet SenOiH Glass

2nd Place Skynet SenOiH Glass

Skynet 2nd Place - SenOiH Glass

CHAMPS SHOW MAGAZINE

1. Skynet. The artists were given four images created by the AI website Dall-E to interpret into real-life working pieces. 2. Smokin Seacow. In a nod to the beloved Florida Manatee, artists made functional Manatee pipes. 3. Will it float? Pieces were floated in a tub of water. They actually all floated!

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Smokin Seacow 3rd Place - Takoda Madrona

Smokin Seacow 2nd Place - Unaballer Glass

The winner of the Skynet competition was Empty 1 Glass! Mike had what the judges deemed the best blown and best resemblance of the image. He will head to the Masters at the February 2024 CHAMPS Trade Show.

In second place was SenOiH Glass, and following up in third was Charisma Glass.

Will It Float? 3rd Place - Unaballer Glass

Skynet 3rd Place - Charisma Glass

For the Smokin Seacow competition, the winner was SenOiH Glass. SenOiH will be heading to the Masters in February as well for the chance at $20,000.

In second place was The Unaballer, closely followed by Takoda Madrona in third.

The last and final event was Will it Float.

This was a fun and exciting competition. The winner was Takoda Madrona. His airboat re-creation was the most intricate and well-done floater of them all. Followed by Glass Distractions in second, and in third place was Unaballer Glass.

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Will It Float? 2nd Place - Glass Distractions

Will It Float? 2nd Place - Glass Distractions

Smokin Seacow 2nd Place - Unaballer Glass

Will It Float? 3rd Place - Unaballer Glass

Skynet 3rd Place - Charisma Glass

Smokin Seacow 3rd Place - Takoda Madrona

CHAMPS SHOW MAGAZINE

FUME

The Sponsors and all the Vendors really brought out the star power as well.

Visits from Nature boy - Rick Flair, The Hulkster himself - Hulk Hogan, followed by an impromptu Afroman Concert really got the room energy up. We here at the magazine and show really appreciate all the good vibes these celebrities brought to the show.

HUSH - DRIP DROP

KRATOMADE - ZION

This show ended the year on the most positive note possible — beautiful weather in a beautiful location with tons of beautiful smiles there to do business.

ZION HERBALS

SWFT

SIG IMPORTER/DISTRIBUTOR

ABR IMAGERY

KR8TOM

FUME

CALIKULTURE

1836 KRATOM CHOICE

GLASSHOUSE HILLSIDE

KOI

CHAMPS SHOW MAGAZINE

HUSH - DRIP DROP

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By Chris Mistletoe The end-of-year holiday season represents a golden opportunity for retail stores specializing in smokeshop, vape, adult gifts, and cannabis products. As consumers seek to celebrate and relax during the festive season, these businesses must capitalize on this heightened demand. In this essay, we will discuss practical strategies for maximizing holiday sales in these unique retail niches.

Decorate and Create a Festive Atmosphere The first step in attracting holiday shoppers is to create an inviting and festive atmosphere within your store. While maintaining the essence of your brand, consider adding tasteful holiday decorations. A well-decorated storefront with holiday-themed window displays and interior decorations can grab the attention of passersby and create an enticing ambiance for shoppers.

Curate a Holiday Product Selection During the holiday season, consumers are often on the lookout for unique and special gifts. To meet this demand, curate a holiday-specific product selection. This might include limited-edition vape flavors, holiday-themed cannabis strains, and unique adult gift sets. Offering exclusive items that can only be found in your store during the holiday season can encourage repeat visits.

Offer Attractive Promotions

Photo by Elsa Olofsson on Unsplash

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One of the most effective ways to boost holiday sales is by offering enticing promotions. Consider running special holiday sales, such as "12 Days of Christmas Deals" or "Holiday Countdown Discounts," where each day brings a new offer. Discounts, buy-one-get-one deals, or bundled packages can all attract price-conscious shoppers.

Continues On Page 66 CHAMPS SHOW MAGAZINE

Enhance Customer Experience Proper Customer service will set your store apart from the competition. Train your staff about your products and provide expert guidance to customers. Offer gift-wrapping services, create a comfortable shopping environment, and ensure that your store is well-stocked to minimize customer frustration.

Hosting holiday-themed events can also enhance the shopping experience. Consider organizing vape tastings, cannabis education sessions, or adult gift-shopping parties. These events can engage customers and create a sense of community around your store.

Leverage Online and Social Media In today's digital age, your company's online presence is crucial for any retail business.

Ramp up your digital marketing efforts during the holiday season. Use social media platforms to promote your holiday deals, share informative content about your products, and engage with your audience through interactive polls and giveaways.

Revamp your website to make online shopping convenient and offer options for curbside pickup and home delivery. Many customers appreciate the flexibility of online ordering, especially during the busy holiday season.

Give Back to the Community The holidays are a time for giving, and your store can contribute to the community while boosting sales. Organize charity drives that encourage customers to donate canned goods, toys, or other items for those in need.

In return, offer discounts or promotions to incentivize participation. This act of charity not only helps those less fortunate but also creates a positive image for your store within the community.

Photo by Nico Smit on Unsplash

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Continues On Page 70 CHAMPS SHOW MAGAZINE

Track Sales and Gather Feedback Throughout the holiday season, closely monitor sales and gather feedback from customers. Analyze which products and promotions are the most successful and make real-time adjustments to maximize profits. Customer feedback can provide important insights into areas where your store can improve.

Maximizing end-of-year holiday sales for smoke shops, vape stores, and cannabis retailers requires careful planning, creativity, and a customer-centric approach. By creating a festive atmosphere, curating holiday-specific products, offering attractive promotions, enhancing the shopping experience, leveraging online and social media, giving back to the community, tracking sales, and gathering feedback, these retailers can make the most of this lucrative season. With the right strategies in place, holiday sales can not only boost revenue but also strengthen customer loyalty and brand reputation.

Photo by Lukas Blazek on Unsplash

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CHAMPS SHOW MAGAZINE

Seals 1st Place Rick (Richard) Brainard

Swiss Army Pipe 1st Place Windstar Glass

By Kevin Dankman This year was exciting for the Glass Games.

Many artists who had never participated before did so, and some even made it to the Masters. This is a breakdown of who qualified for the Masters and how they got there.

First up, Atlantic City. Atlantic City saw 3 Judges and 5 artists get moved forward to the Masters.

Dicrotastic 1st Place Kyru Glass

Conjunction Junction 1st Place Blurd Glass

Patterns 1st Place Windstar Glass

Atlantic City 2023 Judges: Shuhbuh, Steve Hops, Jerry Kelly Winners: Swiss Army Pipe 1st Place - Windstar -Seals, Seals, and more Seals! 1st Place Rich Brainard Hops

J Kelly

-Conjunction Junction (How is your function?) 1st Place Blurrd Dichrotastic 1st Place - Kyru Rainbows, Baskets and Blotters 1st Place Windstar Continues On Page 96 92

Shuhbuh

CHAMPS SHOW MAGAZINE

Chicago 2023 When CHAMPS rolled into Chicago for a live glass demonstration by some very recognizable artists and some very fun first of happenings.

6 amazing artists Dave Strobel

Artists: Jerry Kelly and AJ Manger Stephen Boehme and Gaven Boehme David Stroble and Punty Stephen attended his first show and was proud to make his first functional glass pipe at CHAMPS! He said it was only fitting he did it here. We look forward to seeing what these guys can do in the masters.

Continues On Page 100 Father/Son team

AJ Manger on the torch Punty on the torch

Jerry Kelly on the torch

AJ Manger rocking his pendy Stephen Rocking his new CHAMPS pendant

First CHAMPS first pipe and first class

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CHAMPS SHOW MAGAZINE

Ad Sales:

Kevin Dankman Office 818-616-7424

Winter Las Vegas Master 1st Place - Nathan Belmont

HicDogg x Hendy ROYGBIV Glass Smith

Miniatures Grime Glass

Las Vegas Summer 2023 This event boasts the largest field of competitors and three fantastic artist judges. Over 100 artists showed up to play.

Judges: Terry Sharp, Sarita, Ryno

Opaliscious Guido Glass

Ying Yang Smitty Glass

Golden Dreams Habitat Glass

Venetian Hardman Art Glass

Winners: Rigdiculously Small - 1st Place Grime Opalicious 1st Place Guido Yin Yang 1st Place Smitty Gold n’ dreams 1st Place Habitat Buddies 1st Place Hendy/ Hicdogg Venetian 1st Place Hardman ROYGBIV 1st Place Glass Smith Continues On Page 106 100

CHAMPS SHOW MAGAZINE

Fungus Among Us 1st Place Faltermeier Glass

Fungus Among Us 1st Place Faltermeier Glass

Denver Games 2023 Goblet Grab 1st Place Cajun Rick Fungus Amongus 1st Place Faltermeier Glass

Fungus Among Us 1st Place Faltermeier Glass

Goblets 1st Place Cajun Rick

Tampa Games 2023 Smokin’ Seacow 1st Place SenOiH Glass Skynet 1st Place Empty1 Skynet 1st Place Empty 1 Glass

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Smokin Seacow 1st Place SenOiH Glass

CHAMPS SHOW MAGAZINE

Goblet 1st Place Cajun Rick

Skynet 1st Place Empty 1 Glass Best In Show Marbles and Game of Marbles 1st Place Jes Durfee

Smokin Seacow 1st Place SenOih Glass

The Glass Games Team is really excited about next year's Masters. Here is the theme for the 2024 CHAMPS Trade Shows Glass Games Masters with over $65,000 in Cash and Prizes at stake.

Take A Trip Down The Rabbit Hole This year’s theme for the CHAMPS Glass Games Masters competition is “Take a trip down the rabbit hole.” Life is a vortex of details. Artists will be asked to present a piece representing a deep dive into a topic of their choice, aka a rabbit hole.

We encourage the thought of ending up somewhere you weren’t expecting. New techniques? Something that others may have mastered? Or is it something you’ve thought about doing so many times… You keep trying, attempt after attempt… will it lead somewhere else?

Bring your best prep to create a masterpiece illustrating how, why, and where the hole leads… The final goal is to make it WHOLE.

Marbles 1st Place Jes Durfee

CHAMPS SHOW MAGAZINE

See you there February 14-17th at the Las Vegas Convention Center for another great CHAMPS Trade Show!

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