By CHAMPS Magazine Staff
By Amear Moretall
By Ron Kolb
ISSUE 71 | JULY 2025
Writing
Ron Kolb
Amear Moretall
CHAMPS Show Magazine Staff
Kevin Dankman
Photography
CHAMPS Show Magazine Staff
Design & Layout
DJ Sixxx
Publisher
CHAMPS Trade Shows
Editorial Director
Kevin Dankman
Ad Sales
Kevin Dankman
Becca / Ron Kolb
Office 818-616-7424
By CHAMPS Magazine Staff
Chicago, a city that embodies style and an old-school vibe, really outdid itself as the host of the latest CHAMPS Trade Show. This year's event was a total whirlwind, buzzing with an energy you could practically feel on the show floor for all three days. Exhibitors were telling us how well they did, with buyers actually spending and sticking around right up until the very end.
You couldn't miss the Demand Vape booth – it was constantly swamped, living up to its name! However, the real showstopper was on Day 2 when the legends themselves, Cheech and Chong. Tommy Chong and Cheech Marin were right there, shaking hands and chatting with fans, making the whole place feel electric.
CHAMPS also spread some good vibes by giving back to the shops that showed up. Three lucky businesses each snagged $1,000 just for being there! Christine from Maine Smoke Shop was over the moon on Day 1, already planning to pump her winnings back into new inventory. Day 2 saw Ankit from South Bend Smoke Time grinning from ear to ear after getting his check, and on Day 3, Gur from ABC Smoke in Altoona was another happy buyer with more cash to spend.
The Glass Games at CHAMPS Chicago really kicked things up a notch. With a brand-new setup, they had mesmerizing Artist Demos with Dichro from CBS (Coatings by Sandberg) and even more Collaboration Stations. It was the biggest glass event this Chicago show had ever seen, giving glassblowers a platform to not only show off their incredible skills but also make some serious sales.
Day 2 had this super fun, fast-paced competition called "In 20 Minutes Time." Imagine: glassblowers are given a theme and just 20 minutes to create a unique piece. The creativity was wild! Tony Kazy Glass took home first place, with Dom Glass in second, Sno-Glass in third, and Paul from Liberty 50G rounding out the top four. And the four amazing demoing artists—Niko Cray, Crunklestein, Terry Sharp, and Guido Glass—crafted some truly stunning pieces that were kindly gifted to the shops who attended.
One of the really amazing things that happens in Chicago is the fireworks. The last night, after the show had officially closed its doors, there was this absolutely huge fireworks display at the Parkway Bank PARK Entertainment District. Seriously, it was one of the most epic displays ever!
The 2025 CHAMPS Chicago Trade Show wasn't just another event; it really highlighted the vibrant energy and innovation in our industry. From the bustling booths and enthusiastic buyers to the star power of Cheech and Chong and the mesmerizing artistry of the Glass Games, it was a huge win. Even if the Pope couldn't make it in person (though he popped up digitally the day after!), it felt like a nod to how adaptable and forward-thinking this industry is.
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CHAMPS Chicago wasn't just a trade show; it was a fantastic get-together that really set the bar high for what's next, proving once again that it's a vital hub for businesses and artists alike. Missed out on the Chicago excitement? Don't worry, the party isn't over! Join us for the next incredible CHAMPS show in Las Vegas July 23rd-26th!
By Amear Mortall
A low hum throbbed through the secret government hangar, a symphony of crackling temporal capacitors and the bewildered clatter of a preserved 19th-century statesman. Dr. Emmett Brown, wild-eyed and perpetually disheveled, tightened a final conduit on what appeared to be a heavily modified 1970s Winnebago. Beside him, President Abraham Lincoln, surprisingly spry for a man plucked from the precipice of history, adjusted a pair of Doc's oversized sunglasses over his spectacles.
"Are you certain, Doctor," Lincoln drawled, his voice a familiar timbre of gravitas, "that this 'campaign trail' will yield the insights we seek into the American spirit? Your historical texts suggest a rather… tumultuous period."
Doc Brown, wiping grease from his brow, beamed. "Precisely, Mr. President! The very fabric of societal discourse is being rewoven! And our target, a certain Mr. Hunter S. Thompson, is at the epicenter of its most gonzo threads. A journalist, they say, who doesn't just report the news, but becomes the news!"
Their mission, sanctioned by a highly classified (and frankly, bewildered) joint congressional committee, was to observe history, not alter it. Lincoln, privy to Doc's future-history library, was deeply troubled by the divisive currents of the late 20th century. He believed a firsthand encounter with a figure like Thompson might illuminate the evolving relationship between truth, media, and the national psyche. Doc, ever the scientific thrill-seeker, simply craved the temporal adventure.
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The Winnebago, now throbbing with a low temporal thrum, shimmered, then vanished. It reappeared with a faint pop and the smell of exhaust fumes in a sweltering motel parking lot in Miami, on the Fourth of July,
cologne, and the buzzing, almost tangible static of political frenzy, as if the very asphalt vibrated with unspoken anxieties. Campaign posters for Nixon and McGovern plastered every surface, some already peeling in the humid heat.
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Lincoln, in a borrowed, ill-fitting Hawaiian shirt, stepped out, followed by Doc, who immediately began taking atmospheric readings with a repurposed Geiger counter. 'Great Scott!' Doc exclaimed, his repurposed Geiger counter clicking furiously, its needle twitching wildly. 'The ambient paranoia levels are off the charts, Mr. President! Fascinating!'
A few yards away, a man in a bucket hat, his face a blur behind sunglasses and a cloud of smoke, froze mid-sentence at his chaotic sprawl of notebooks, empty liquor bottles, and a portable typewriter. Hunter S. Thompson, or what was left of him, squinted, his eyes narrowing even behind the dark lenses, as if trying to discern if the
new arrivals were a particularly potent hallucination or federal agents.
"Who in the unholy hell are you two?" Thompson rasped, his voice a gravelly symphony of whiskey and cynicism. "You look like a goddamn historical reenactor and a refugee from a particularly bad acid trip."Doc, unfazed, extended a hand. "Dr. Emmett Brown, at your service! And this, sir, is President Abraham Lincoln!"
Thompson stared, then slowly reached for a fresh tumbler of Wild Turkey. "Lincoln, huh? And a 'Doctor.' Right. And I'm the goddamn Easter Bunny. What's your angle, you federal creeps? Trying to plant some kind of subversive message in my copy?"
Lincoln, ever the diplomat, offered a slight bow. "Indeed, Mr. Thompson. We seek to understand the currents of this peculiar epoch. Your dispatches, Doctor Brown informs me, are… uniquely insightful."
The ensuing conversation was a surreal masterpiece. Lincoln, with his eloquent but archaic language, attempted to grasp the intricacies of modern political campaigning, the role of television, and the burgeoning cynicism. Doc, meanwhile, excitedly explained the principles of temporal displacement, occasionally mistaking
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Thompson's drug-fueled tangents for profound philosophical breakthroughs. Thompson, convinced he was either experiencing a particularly potent hallucination or being subjected to a new, insidious form of government psychological warfare, peppered them with questions about power, corruption, and the true nature of the American beast.
"So, Honest Abe," Thompson slurred, "what do you make of this whole 'silent majority' bullshit? Sounds like a goddamn conspiracy to me. And you, Doc, you got any of that timetraveling hooch? This '72 vintage is starting to taste like formaldehyde."
Thompson then paused, a glint of something unreadable in his eyes. He rummaged through the chaos on his makeshift table, pulling out a pair of his own iconic aviator sunglasses. "Here,
Abe," he grunted, pushing them across. "You look like you need to see this country through the right lens. These'll give you a clearer view of the bastards."
Lincoln, after a moment's hesitation, took the glasses. He removed Doc's oversized pair and, with a thoughtful expression, settled Thompson's aviators onto his nose. The world, through the tinted lenses, seemed to take on a new, sharper, perhaps more cynical, edge.
As the sun dipped below the horizon, painting the Miami sky in lurid oranges and purples, punctuated by the distant explosions of fireworks, the Winnebago hummed to life once more. Lincoln, now with a deeper, more troubled understanding of the era and sporting the signature aviators, and Doc, brimming with new data, prepared for departure. Thompson watched them go, a manic grin spreading across his face. He knew, with absolute certainty, that he had just witnessed something truly bizarre. And it would make for one hell of a story.
By Ron Kolb
The Summer has arrived, and while your customers are chasing festivals and beach culture, your cash register should be ringing just as much. Sure, all anyone's been talking about is travel bud gets eating into discretionary spending, but smart shop owners know the secret: summer's not a curse—it's a goldmine waiting to explode.
Want to boost walk-ins by 30%? Open that door. Seriously. There is a sort of magic in an open storefront that says "come explore" to every passerby. Toss in a cheeky sidewalk sign—"Beat the Heat, Find Your Vibe" or "Summer Essentials Inside"— and foot traffic will triple.
Your community is buzzing with energy, from block par ties and concerts to festivals. Don't sit back—join the party. Hang those pop-up standees, sponsor that local music festival, or create an outdoor bargain bin that screams "festival ready." When every one's in party mode, they're in shopping mode.
Think beyond individual sales. Create appealing summer packages that speak for themselves: "Festival Survival Kits" filled with papers, lighters, and essentials, or "Staycation Luxury Packs" with premium glassware. Limited-edition packaging triggers that ideal mix of urgency and exclusivity that turns browsers into buyers.
This is where the magic happens. That checkout counter is not there solely for ringing up purchases—it is prime real estate for impulse gold.
Research proves that strategic counter displays induce further purchases in most shoppers. Your customers are not finished shopping simply because they are at the register.
Speaking of counter magic, glass tips for pre-rolls are absolutely crushing it right now. These aren't just functional—they're a lifestyle upgrade that customers can see, touch, and immediately understand. Companies like Rip Tip and Taste Your Smoke have created products that sell themselves: smoother hits, enhanced flavor, and that premium feel everyone craves.
Showcase these beauties at eye level with prominent signage about their benefits. When someone's already buying flower, suggesting glass tips doesn't seem like a pushy up-sell.
Arm your staff with one killer question: "What else can I get you today?" But here's the secret sauce—they need to know their products inside and out. When they can tell you how glass tips enhance the overall smoking experience or why a particular package is perfect for weekend plans, they're not selling—they're problem-solving.
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Digital ads getting restricted? No problem. Your store is your billboard. LED signage, shelf talkers, and high-impact displays must give customers a tour of your best offerings. Make your highest-margin items—like those glass tips—impossible to ignore.
Paid advertisements can be slippery, but organic content is fair game. Post behind-the-scenes festival preparation, feature products in use, and applaud your community affiliations. Summer-inspired imagery and local influencer partnerships can help extend your reach without violating ad rules.
Your Summer Success Recipe
The shops that are thriving this summer aren't just selling products—they're selling experiences, solving problems, and making each customer interaction count. They understand that impulse purchases, especially higher-end ones like glass tips, can transform a $20 visit into a $40 - $60 bash.
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The bottom line? Summer isn't about surviving a slow season—it's about positioning your shop as the go-to destination for every summer adventure. Meet your customers where they are, make their outings unforgettable, and never underestimate the power of that strategically placed impulse purchase.
This summer, while your competitors are worrying about seasonal slumps, you'll be counting the profits from your busiest season ever.
Join us in the Fabulous city of Las Vegas for our July event! Experience the energy of the strip, world-class entertainment, and our premier exhibition at the Las Vegas Convention Center.
While the official booking code has expired, we recommend contacting the following hotels directly to inquire about potential availability:
Monday, July 21, 2025: 1:00pm - 8:00pm (600 Square feet or bigger booths only)
Tuesday, July 22nd, 2025: 8:00am - 8:00pm
Wednesday, July 23rd, 2025: 11:00am - 6:00pm
Thursday, July 24th, 2025: 11:00am - 6:00pm
Friday, July 25th, 2025: 11:00am - 6:00pm
Saturday, July 26th, 2025: 11:00am - 4:20pm
Saturday, July 26th, 2025: 4:20pm - 10pm Sunday, July 27th, 2025: 8:00am - 12:00pm
