Highlights From Summer CHAMPS Show in Las Vegas

 CHAMPS, the premier B2B counterculture trade show in the US, is renowned for its high-energy events that celebrate the roots of cannabis and smoking culture. Since its establishment in 1999, the expo has been bringing together buyers, sellers, and artists for 25 years. With annual shows in major cities like Atlantic City, Denver, Chicago, and Ft. Lauderdale, CHAMPS is best known for its Las Vegas events. Despite the summer heat, industry players from far and wide flocked to last week’s trade show at the Las Vegas Convention Center from July 23-26. With 2,300 vendor booths and over 24,000 attendees, the expo drew a strong crowd. However, due to a software glitch that caused over 2,000 US flights to be cancelled and 4,000 delayed, the foot traffic was not as heavy as in previous years. Nevertheless, the four-day show allowed for longer and more impactful conversations between attendees. Some determined business owners even abandoned their flight plans and drove to the show, highlighting the importance of CHAMPS in the industry. Cannabis Now Founder and CEO Eugenio Garcia, who has been attending the trade show for over 10 years, noted the show’s evolution and its significance in the industry. He said, “This is a very big in-person industry. A lot of people do their bi-annual buying at CHAMPS, so they can’t afford to miss it. And with the explosion of the hemp industry, it’s even more important to see products in person to make a decision.” The presence of hemp and the growth of cannabis seed companies were prominent at the Vegas CHAMPS show. With pounds of hemp flower on display at booths and millions in hemp sales, the impact was evident. In states where adult-use cannabis is not yet legal, operators are focusing on the rise of THCa, a cannabinoid found in the hemp plant that offers a similar high to THC. At the Las Vegas CHAMPS show, we had the opportunity to see new releases and trends, which are good indicators of consumer demand. We also enjoyed catching up with old friends and discovering new brands. Here are some of the booths that caught our attention at this year’s July CHAMPS show. Read on to find out why we’re fans and why you should check them out for yourself. Royal Queen Seeds RQS President Shai Ramsahai presents Mike Tyson with a custom pair of Weedo hemp shoes by 8000 Kicks. PHOTO Dabsel Adams. Royal Queen Seeds made a splash at the show with their collaboration with Mike Tyson on a line of seeds. The booth was designed to look like a boxing ring, and Tyson himself made a surprise appearance due to a postponed fight with Jake Paul. The media frenzy and excitement surrounding the booth were palpable.