Having set regional records for both Brands and Buyers, CHAMPS Denver finally drew to a close after two unbelievable days in the Mile High City. In spite of the ongoing construction at the Colorado Convention Center, along with street construction at the Welton Entrance, everyone was enthusiastic about hitting the show floor and checking out the latest in goods from the top brands in counterculture.
CHAMPS President and CEO, Jeff Hirschfeld, was excited to return to the Mile High City. “Our team couldn’t wait to return to the Colorado Convention Center. Our regional shows are much more intimate between the buyers and vendors, and the extended show hours allowed them to not feel rushed when making deals.” He continued about how much he loves the city itself. “Denver will always hold a special place in my heart. The community here is absolutely incredible.”
Retailers who pre-registered were also treated to the chance at winning $1,000 just for being on the show floor. Each day at 4:20, a name was called over the loudspeaker, giving the signal for that lucky buyer to claim their prize at registration. Our Day 1 Retail Store winner, Chris from Planet Smoke Shop in Jacksonville Florida, and our Day 2 Retail Store winner, Mikey from The Joint Smoke Shop in Cicero Illinois, were both stunned to find out they had an extra $1,000 to spend. It’s just one more way that CHAMPS Trade Shows gives back to the retailers who are the backbone of our industry.
CHAMPS Denver also saw a strong showing for the newly developed Mycology Section with several brands participating. From spawn to spore, vendors made sure that retailers were stocked for the holiday rush with the newest entry to the counterculture scene. In turn, retailers were absolutely ecstatic to check out the products for the first time, excited that the mycology industry was really beginning to fruit with consumers, no pun intended.
The CHAMPS Glass Games had the strongest showing in the region in years, with more than 80 goblets on display for the annual Goblet Grab. The Goblet Grab allows anyone, both buyer and exhibitor, the opportunity to purchase a piece of unique functional art for only $200. With some of the goblets on hand valued anywhere from $600 all the way up to $5,000, this was an incredible opportunity for glass enthusiasts to be a part of history.
Rye Deyer scored a back-to-back victory defending the title with a unique, uniform, and well-constructed Goblet. The diamond shaped opal was centered in the marble, accentuated with beautiful royal jelly purple encalmos. Chase Hardman took 2nd place with the Eagle Nest goblet that had people drooling in anticipation of the grab. Burtoni rounded out the top 3 with a murine stack tumbler cup accented in timber and vaccine. Honorable mentions go to Jolex, and John W who entered after the judging was complete, but still brought the heat. The biggest Goblet of the day, which was by newcomer Charisma from south Jersey, left in the hands of one extremely excited Skyco Distro.
Jes Durfee also defended his title as the ultimate Marble Champion winning both Best Set as well as the Game of Marbles itself. His Grateful Dead theme shooter marble knocked the competition out of the ring both literally, and figuratively. Seventendencies put up a good fight, before ultimately being taken out by Michigoon, who lost to Jes Durfee in the finals.
The Milli Checkers brought out some big guns at this year’s CHAMPS Glass Games in Denver. BMFT, or Brendan “MF” Taylor, took the best Milli Set with a beautifully crafted pull, just edging out Puntington. On the Checkerboard however, it was Puntington who beat BMFT, whom himself ultimately lost to Jes Durfee. Jes finally took on and defeated Sko EeT being crowned the King of the Checkerboard. The bottom line being, if you ever challenge Jes Durfee to any game, don’t let the nice exterior fool you, he is coming to win.
In the “Is It Glass?!?” Competition, Pedro Grime edged out Tony Kazy with his incredible “Bone” entry. While Tony’s amazing chocolate bunny rabbit rig (which even appeared to be slightly sweaty and ACTUALLY smelled like chocolate) was an incredible piece with attention to the slightest detail, the Bone by Grime would have fooled Dr. Grant. Alec Blows Glass AKA the Spudmuffin, took 3rd place with his signature potatoes. Honorable mentions go to the coat hanger and clothes pin set by Chase Hardman, the Pet Rock by Amorphous Symphony, and the Irish Spring Soap Bar by Samsons Glass.
Here are the overall winners for the 2022 CHAMPS Trade Shows Denver Glass Games
Goblet Grab:
1st: Rye Deyer Glass
2nd Hardman Art Glass
3rd Burtoni Glass
Is It Glass:
1st Grime Glass
2nd Tony Kazy Glass
3rd Alec Blows Glass
Marbles – Best Set:
1st: Jes Durfee
2nd Happytime Glass
3rd the Glass Parrot
Marbles – Game:
1st Jes Durfee
2nd Michigoon Glass
Millie Checkers – Best Set:
1st BMFT Glass
2nd Punty Glass
3rd Cajun Rick
Millie Checkers – Game
1st Jes Durfee
2nd Sko Eet Glass
We also want to once again thank our incredible sponsors.
PLATINUM SHOW SPONSORS
KRATOMADE
DRIP DROP
CAKE
MAIN SHOW SPONSORS
ABR
B2B
BOLT CBD
CANNABIZ MAGAZINE
CHOICE KRATOM
CRAVE DISPOSABLE
CALI KULTURE
DELTA AGRICULTURE
DNK
JUST CBD
HYPPE BRAND
OFFICIAL GENIUS
PARTY NUTS
SIG DISTRO
SEAN DIETRICH
ZION HERBALS
GLASS GAMES SPONSORS
ABR IMAGERY
NORTH JERSEY DIAMOND WHEEL
BETHLEHEM BURNERS
PUFF’S PENDY MELTS
NORTHSTAR GLASSWORKS
OFFICIAL GENIUS
Here are some favorite shots of ours from around CHAMPS Denver!
We now look next to our debut in Daytona Beach Florida at the Daytona Ocean Center! The Glass Games is shaping up to be larger than any previous Orlando Show, and we will have a lot of new stuff in store for you. Make sure to pre-register for CHAMPS Daytona Beach from November 1st – 3rd. Make sure that you have everything you need ready to go by checking out the buyers checklist below.
Pre-Register as a Retail Buyer: bit.ly/CHAMPSBuyersRegistration
Book Your Hotel: https://bit.ly/BookTheHiltonDaytona
View the Show Map: www.CHAMPSMap.com
We’ll see everyone in Daytona Beach!
