By Amear Moretal
By Kevin Dankman
Writing CHAMPS Show Mag Writers
Amear Moretal
Kevin Dankman
Photography CHAMPS Show Mag Staff
Dabsel Adams
D. Mills
Design & Layout Sixxx
Publisher CHAMPS Trade Shows
Editorial Director
Kevin Dankman
Ad Sales
By Amear Moretal
In the year 2099, the world had changed in ways unimaginable. Technology had evolved, and humanity had expanded its reach beyond Earth, establishing colonies on distant planets and in the far reaches of the solar system. But amidst the marvels of space travel and advanced artificial intelligence, one thing remained constant: the importance of trade. At the heart of this new era stood CHAMPS Trade Shows, celebrating its 100th anniversary and newest trade federation for the New Galactic World, which now included off-planet space colonies.
In this future world, CHAMPS has evolved into a massive conglomerate of trade exhibitions, encompassing everything from cutting-edge gadgets to exotic alien goods. With a staff of thousands. Five characters played crucial roles in the new ever-expanding trade federation, each with their unique stories.
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1. Captain Isabella Vega: A seasoned starship commander, Captain Vega had witnessed the birth of interstellar trade. She piloted the trade routes connecting Earth to the colonies on Mars, Europa, and beyond. Her ship, the "Stellar Voyager," was a familiar sight at CHAMPS Trade Shows, as it transported the most valuable and exotic goods from distant planets.
2. Dr. Zara Patel: A brilliant xenobiologist, Dr. Patel was dedicated to understanding the flora and fauna of the newly discovered alien worlds. Her research on the exotic alien herbs found on Ganymede had revolutionized Earth's pharmaceutical industry. She often presented her findings at CHAMPS, connecting with buyers interested in the latest in extraterrestrial medicine.
3. Max Ryder: A tech-savvy entrepreneur, Max had created a revolutionary line of AI-driven household robots. These robots, known as "AstroAssistants," were in high demand across the colonies. Max's booth at CHAMPS was always swarmed with prospective buyers, eager to purchase the latest in artificial intelligence for their homes.
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MAX RYDER
4. Ambassador Aria: Born on Mars, Ambassador Aria was a skilled diplomat representing the Martian colony at CHAMPS Trade Shows. Her role was to negotiate trade agreements between the outer colonies and Earth, ensuring a mutually beneficial exchange of resources and technology. Her charisma and diplomatic skills had earned her a respected position within the CHAMPS federation.
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5. Oliver Stone: A young entrepreneur from Earth, Oliver had a dream of bringing back the nostalgia of Earth's past to the space colonies. He had created a company called "Terra Treasures," specializing in Earth artifacts and memorabilia. At CHAMPS, he connected with collectors and enthusiasts from distant planets, sharing the cultural heritage of Earth with the cosmos.
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As CHAMPS Trade Shows celebrated its 100th anniversary, it became the central hub for buyers and vendors across the New World. Its annual event had grown into a month-long extravaganza featuring holographic presentations, zero-gravity showcases, and even live performances by alien artists.
Like today, in this future world, CHAMPS was not just about business; it was about fostering connections, bridging cultural gaps, and celebrating the unity of humanity across the cosmos. As the trade federation continued to thrive, its five characters played their roles in shaping the future of trade, innovation, and interstellar cooperation. CHAMPS Trade Shows had indeed become a symbol of progress, innovation, and unity for the New World of 2099 and beyond.
By Kevin Dankman
After a quarter-century, the exhilaration of stepping into a CHAMPS Trade Show on the opening day still gets my anxiety up. No Matter if I am vending a booth, buying for the store, or staff at the show it will never change.
As is tradition, I indulged in a moment of calm before the storm, lighting up a joint fifteen minutes before the doors swung open. Outside, a throng of eager buyers eagerly awaited their chance to snag the latest and greatest offerings. CHAMPS greeted the first 3,000 preregistered buyers with commemorative 25th Anniversary coins, while others received hats, pins, and even Moodmats upon registration.
As the floodgates opened and attendees poured in, the energy was palpable, foreshadowing a spectacular event. This year marked a milestone as the first two-story winter show for CHAMPS.
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The 25th year started with a bang, shattering previous records for both buyers and vendors. The CHAMPS Team's dedication shone through, ensuring another unforgettable experience for all.
Despite minor morning hiccups due to Northeast storms delaying some arrivals, once the day gained momentum, registration lines cleared, and the show floor buzzed with activity. Even the Trailer Park Boys made a surprise appearance, delighting their fans.
Numerous exhibitors hailed it as one of their best opening days yet, with bustling floors and money flowing freely.
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Day two brought a star-studded lineup of celebrities, including Berner, Nature Boy Rick Flair, Seth Rogen, Mike Tyson, and more, all eager to experience the CHAMPS magic.
Day three overflowed with excitement as Ricky Williams visited the Highsman booth, Floyd Mayweather made waves at the Fume booth, and Afroman dropped by to add his unique flair.
The grand finale on day four buzzed with anticipation as deals were sealed and winners of the Glass Games were revealed. Among the 28 competing artists, Hendy Glass claimed first prize, earning $20,000, a new Bethlehem Torch, and a treasure trove of goodies. The rest of the winners are listed next:
Peoples Choice: Kyru Glass
Artist Choice: Chase Hardman
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1st: Hendy Glass
2nd: Shayla - Windstar Glass
3rd: Shuhbuh
4th: Ryno
5th: Habitat Glass
6th: Kyru Glass
7th: Chase - Hardman Art Glass
8th: Pyro
A total of $65,000 was awarded to the glass competitors, capping off another unforgettable winter edition of CHAMPS—a testament to four days of camaraderie, passion, and love for what we do best.
Shortly after the awards the crew went to a secret location to burn down on a custom Blunt by Weavers the internationally known custom blunt maker. It burned and burned and burned… A great way to celebrate and begin to wind down from another successful show.
The CHAMPS team will be in the Northeast for their next show, Atlantic City here we come! This is the oldest regional show for CHAMPS Trade Show. It has grown to be one of the best regional shows of the year. We invite you to join us May 7-9th 2024 in Atlantic City, NJ for the next installment of CHAMPS 25th Year Anniversary!
By CHAMPS Show Mag Writers
As Lewis Carrol once pondered, '“I wonder which way I ought to go.”' This sentiment encapsulates the essence of the theme for this year's CHAMPS Masters Competition.
In the vast expanse of creative exploration, time always seems to slip through our fingers like sand. Each of us, at some point, has plunged headfirst into the depths of a passion, delving into its intricacies until we emerge as masters of our craft or flame out in failure.
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Artists are no strangers to this phenomenon. They meticulously explore techniques and possibilities, often embarking on ventures akin to a journey down the rabbit hole, where discovery knows no bounds.
The dedication of the artists this year was apparent from the moment they arrived, their eyes shining with purpose and determination. Armed with plans meticulously laid out and schedules ready to be executed.
All eyes were drawn to the emerging talents, whose performances on the live stage garnered enthusiastic responses. Alongside them stood seasoned entertainers like Pedro, Jerry, and a few others, effortlessly commanding the atmosphere and infusing it with infectious energy and joy.
While the stakes were undeniably high, the ambiance remained charged with excitement and camaraderie.
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Recap of Day 1: Smooth sailing prevailed, with the day unfolding seamlessly for most, save for Chase Hardman, whose remarkable recovery from adversity stood out amidst the success.
Recap of Day 2: Day 2 saw its share of challenges, punctuated by moments of triumph, such as Delaluna's graceful recovery and the timely completion of projects by Empty-1 and Pyro, ensuring their eligibility for judging. Despite valiant efforts, both Smitty and Faltemeir Glass faced setbacks in producing pieces ready for evaluation.
Day 3 was dedicated to setting up displays and a demonstration by Sue Ellen Fowler, setting the stage for the culmination of this event.
The Award Ceremony was a touching affair, with Jeff, the owner of CHAMPS Trade Show, delivering a heartfelt tribute to Aj Manger and Bonelord, both lost to cancer. Aj, a Masters Contestant, and Bonelord, a former Masters Winner, were honored for their contributions to the artistry. In a touching moment, Mrs. V, Aj's mother, attended in his place, offering her support to everyone.
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The panel of judges, comprised of Burtoni, Ouch Kick, and Phil Siegel, faced the daunting task of selecting winners from a pool of exceptional entries. After much deliberation, Hendy Glass was crowned the victor, with Kyru Glass earning the People's Choice award and Chase Hardman clinching Artist's Choice.
The Winners
1st: Hendy Glass
2nd: Shayla - Windstar Glass
3rd: Shuhbuh
4th: Ryno
5th: Habitat Glass
6th: Kyru Glass
7th: Chase - Hardman Art Glass
8th: Pyro
The rankings reflected the tight competition, with numerous artists deserving recognition for their remarkable creations. Among them were Jerry Kelly, paying tribute to Aj with his "Fuck Cancer" set, Dave Strobel showcasing his murrini expertise, and Sarita's elegant floral-inspired piece.
As the event drew to a close, the Glass Games Team extended an invitation to glassblowers worldwide to join the next CHAMPS Glass Games in Atlantic City, New Jersey, promising four thrilling competitions and the opportunity to vie for the title of Masters CHAMPion.
The lineup includes:
1. Heady Onie: Craft a one-hit pipe, paying homage to this iconic piece of smoking culture.
2. It's a Jersey Thing...: Create a functional piece inspired by the unique charm of New Jersey.
3. Perfect FUNction: Showcase your craftsmanship by designing a piece to be tested by expert smokers for optimal performance.
4. Amalgamation Station: Challenge yourself to create innovative designs using ten parts with ground joints capable of multiple configurations.
We hope to see you all at CHAMPS Atlantic City May 7-9th 2024 for the start of the Next CHAMPS Glass Games.
