Champs Trade Shows
Champs Trade Shows, founded in 1999, operates six annual B2B counterculture trade shows across five major US cities, connecting hundreds of exhibitors with thousands of verified retail buyers in the smoke, vape, cannabis, and glass art industries.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1999
- HeadquartersLas Vegas, United States
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What Champs Trade Shows does
Champs Trade Shows is a Las Vegas-based B2B trade show operator founded in 1999 that runs the longest-running dedicated counterculture industry trade show circuit in the United States. The company hosts six annual multi-day events across five major US cities—Las Vegas (twice annually at the Las Vegas Convention Center), Austin (Palmer Events Center), Chicago (Donald E. Stephens Convention Center), Atlantic City (Atlantic City Convention Center), and Fort Lauderdale (Broward County Convention Center)—connecting hundreds of exhibitors with thousands of verified retail buyers. Exhibitors include manufacturers, distributors, wholesalers, glass artists, and suppliers of smoking accessories, vaporizers, glassware, counterculture products, clothing, and specialty gifts; buyers are restricted to qualified retail operators (smoke shops, vape shops, dispensaries, adult boutiques, c-stores, hookah lounges, mycology stores) via a two-form business ID verification process. Buyer admission is free, with additional guests beyond four per business subject to a $50 entrance fee.
The company's core product portfolio comprises the trade show events themselves, the signature CHAMPS Glass Games—a year-long multi-show live glassblowing competition series culminating in a Masters Competition offering $20,000 first-place prize and $60,000+ in total prizes—and two media properties: CHAMPS Show Magazine (a monthly publication) and CHAMPS Smoke Shop Report (an industry news platform). Revenue is generated primarily through exhibitor booth rentals (10x10, 10x20, and 20x20 configurations with Las Vegas premium pricing; 50% deposit at booking, balance 45 days before show) and a three-tier sponsorship program (Platinum, Gold at $6,500-$8,500, and Annual/Glass Games starting at $5,000). The business is operated by Gage Enterprises LLC, a Nevada LLC, with Jeffrey Hirschfeld serving as President. The company is privately held with no external institutional funding, operates with 11-50 employees, and serves the US and Canadian markets.
Operationally, CHAMPS combines physical event production, a two-sided marketplace (exhibitors and verified buyers), and recurring media/content touchpoints to maintain year-round engagement. Exhibitor selection uses a Priority Placement system for returning vendors with first-come-first-served allocation for new applicants. Hotel partnerships with Resorts World Las Vegas, Tuscany Suites & Casino, and Hilton Fort Lauderdale Marina provide discounted attendee accommodations, and formal Platinum and Gold sponsor relationships (e.g., DemandVape, MellowFellow, JBrands Distro, Coastal Clouds, Hillside Glass) anchor commercial revenue alongside booth fees.
Champs Trade Shows firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Champs Trade Shows
- Legal name
- Gage Enterprises LLC
- Website
- https://champstradeshows.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1999
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- Champs Trade Shows, founded in 1999, operates six annual B2B counterculture trade shows across five major US cities, connecting hundreds of exhibitors with thousands of verified retail buyers in the smoke, vape, cannabis, and glass art industries.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Champs Trade Shows industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Trade Show & Event Services
- NAICS
- Convention and Trade Show Organizers (56192)
- SIC
- Services-Miscellaneous Amusement & Recreation (7990)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Industry-Specific B2B Trade Show Organizers (THAHABAB)
Keywords
Where Champs Trade Shows is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Las Vegas
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
Champs Trade Shows business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Operations, Marketing or Sales, Personnel, Others
Revenue model
- Exhibitor Booth Fees: CHAMPS generates primary revenue from exhibitor booth space rentals. Exhibitors pay 50% deposit at booking and 100% balance 45 days before the show. Booth packages include 10x10 (one 8ft table, chair, waste basket, pipe/drape, up to 4 badges), 10x20, or 20x20 configurations.
- Sponsorship Packages: CHAMPS offers Gold Sponsorship ($8,500 Las Vegas, $6,500 other shows) with extensive branding benefits across website, magazine, banners, and social media. Glass Games Sponsorship starts at $5,000 annually, $1,500 per specific show, or $4,200 to sponsor a game.
- Buyer Admission: Verified buyers attend free of charge. Additional guests beyond 4 per business are subject to a $50 entrance fee.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| One time/ perpetual license | Multi-year contract | Gold Sponsorship - Complete marketing package |
| One time/ perpetual license | Multi-year contract | Glass Games Annual Sponsorship |
| One time/ perpetual license | Multi-year contract | Glass Games Specific Show Sponsorship |
| One time/ perpetual license | Multi-year contract | Glass Games Game Sponsorship |
| Unit Pricing | Multi-year contract | 10x10 Standard Booth |
| Unit Pricing | Multi-year contract | 10x20 Extended Booth |
| Unit Pricing | Multi-year contract | 20x20 Large Booth |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels5 records
Marketing channels5 records
Champs Trade Shows product offering
Product offeringCore offering
CHAMPS Trade Shows organizes multi-city B2B trade show events that connect manufacturers, distributors, wholesalers, and glass artists with verified retail and wholesale buyers in the counterculture, smoking accessories, vaping, cannabis, and specialty gift industries. Revenue is generated through exhibitor booth rentals (10x10, 10x20, and 20x20 configurations) and tiered sponsorship packages, while verified buyer admission is free. The flagship Glass Games live glassblowing competition with cash prizes is integrated into each show.
Product overview
CHAMPS Trade Shows operates as a B2B trade show platform with two core components: the main trade show event (CHAMPS Trade Shows) and the Glass Games competition series. The platform includes complementary products: CHAMPS Show Magazine (monthly publication), CHAMPS Smoke Shop Report (industry news site), and supporting buyer/exhibitor registration platforms. The company hosts multiple annual trade shows across major U.S. cities (Las Vegas, Austin, Chicago, Atlantic City, Fort Lauderdale) connecting hundreds of exhibitors with thousands of verified retail buyers in the counterculture industry.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- CHAMPS Trade Shows The multi-city B2B counterculture trade show itself: connects manufacturers, distributors, wholesalers, and glass artists with verified retail and wholesale buyers at six annual events across Las Vegas, Austin, Chicago, Atlantic City, and Fort Lauderdale. Free admission for verified buyers; revenue from exhibitor booth rentals and sponsorships.
- CHAMPS Glass Games A year-long, multi-show glassblowing competition where top glass artists compete in qualifier rounds at each CHAMPS show, culminating in the Masters Competition with a total prize pool of $60,000+ (first place: $20,000 cash plus prizes). Features live games, collaboration stations, and qualifier rounds.
- CHAMPS Show Magazine Monthly magazine delivering exclusive coverage of CHAMPS Trade Shows and the Glass Games, featuring industry articles, product trends, and editorial content for smoke shop retailers.
- CHAMPS Smoke Shop Report Official news platform of CHAMPS Trade Shows providing industry news, product discoveries, trends, and innovation coverage for smoking accessories, glassware, vaporizers, and the broader smoke shop industry.
- Gold Sponsorship Package Complete marketing sponsorship package including logo placement on website, magazine, registration banners, entrance archways, promotional signs, social media reposts, and one pop-up sign placement. Priced at $8,500 for Las Vegas shows and $6,500 for all other shows.
Quantifiable outcome
- 86,700 attendees across 6 annual shows
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use Champs Trade Shows
Customer profileNamed customers8 records
Segments8 records
Ideal customer profiles5 records
Champs Trade Shows technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Champs Trade Shows partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
31 partnerships are on record, tiered platinum sponsor, gold sponsor, annual sponsor, venue partner and hotel partner.
- DemandVapeplatinum sponsorPlatinum sponsor of CHAMPS Trade Shows with logo featured on website homepage and promotional materials
- MellowFellowplatinum sponsorPlatinum sponsor of CHAMPS Trade Shows with logo featured on website homepage and promotional materials
- JBrands Distro (MIA-ICONIQ)platinum sponsorPlatinum sponsor of CHAMPS Trade Shows with logo featured on website homepage and promotional materials
- 1-Oak Wholesalegold sponsorGold sponsor with logo on CHAMPS website and promotional materials
- CaliKulturegold sponsorGold sponsor with logo on CHAMPS website and promotional materials
- CannaBiz Wholesalergold sponsorGold sponsor with logo on CHAMPS website and promotional materials
- Coastal Cloudsgold sponsorGold sponsor with logo on CHAMPS website and promotional materials
- Cravegold sponsorGold sponsor with logo on CHAMPS website and promotional materials
- Hill Country Hemp ARitagold sponsorGold sponsor with logo on CHAMPS website and promotional materials
- Hillside Glassgold sponsorGold sponsor with logo on CHAMPS website and promotional materials
- IceKreamgold sponsorGold sponsor with logo on CHAMPS website and promotional materials
- Durity Distribution (Mit-Therapy)gold sponsorGold sponsor with logo on CHAMPS website and promotional materials
- PartyNutsgold sponsorGold sponsor with logo on CHAMPS website and promotional materials
- SIG Distrogold sponsorGold sponsor with logo on CHAMPS website and promotional materials
- SmokeNationgold sponsorGold sponsor with logo on CHAMPS website and promotional materials
- Sunrise Wholesale Rockeygold sponsorGold sponsor with logo on CHAMPS website and promotional materials
- ZourStashgold sponsorGold sponsor with logo on CHAMPS website and promotional materials
- B2B Wholesaler Magazinegold sponsorGold sponsor with logo on CHAMPS website and promotional materials
- ABR Imageryannual sponsorAnnual sponsor of CHAMPS Glass Games competitions
- Bethlehem Burnersannual sponsorAnnual sponsor of CHAMPS Glass Games competitions
- CBS Dichroicannual sponsorAnnual sponsor of CHAMPS Glass Games competitions
- Exotic Soda Companyannual sponsorAnnual sponsor of CHAMPS Glass Games competitions
- North Jersey Diamond Wheelannual sponsorAnnual sponsor of CHAMPS Glass Games competitions
- Northstar Glassannual sponsorAnnual sponsor of CHAMPS Glass Games competitions
- Polar Blastannual sponsorAnnual sponsor of CHAMPS Glass Games competitions
- Puff Pendy Meltsannual sponsorAnnual sponsor of CHAMPS Glass Games competitions
- UST Glassannual sponsorAnnual sponsor of CHAMPS Glass Games competitions
- Las Vegas Convention Centervenue partnerPrimary venue for Las Vegas shows (South Hall)
- Resorts World Las Vegashotel partnerOfficial hotel partner offering discounted rates ($95 Sun-Thurs, $195 Fri & Sat) for CHAMPS attendees
- Tuscany Suites & Casinohotel partnerOfficial hotel partner offering discounted rates ($69 Sun-Thurs, $179 Fri & Sat, no resort fee) with shuttle to Convention Center
- Hilton Fort Lauderdale Marinahotel partnerOfficial hotel partner for Fort Lauderdale shows ($209/night standard, $249/night upgraded)
Scale indicators4 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Champs Trade Shows competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- Clarion Events: Clarion Events is a privately held global B2B events operator running trade shows across multiple verticals. Comparable in business model (event-driven B2B, sponsorship + booth revenue) and relevant as a benchmark for operational scale and category expansion.
- RX Global (Reed Exhibitions): RX Global (part of RELX) is one of the world's largest B2B exhibition organizers, operating across dozens of industries. Its scale and international footprint make it a relevant comparison point for event-driven B2B monetization and a potential competitive entrant into adjacent verticals.
- Emerald Holding: Emerald Holding operates a large portfolio of B2B trade shows across multiple verticals, giving it scale, capital, and operational capabilities that exceed CHAMPS'. While not focused exclusively on the counterculture vertical, it represents the type of diversified incumbent that could enter or expand in CHAMPS' space.
Direct peers
- Benzinga Cannabis Events (Cannabis Conference): Benzinga's Cannabis Conference is a B2B trade show serving cannabis retailers, cultivators, and product companies — directly competing with CHAMPS' dispensary-facing programming for exhibitor dollars and buyer attendance.
- MJBiz (MJBizCon): MJBiz produces MJBizCon, the largest B2B cannabis trade show in North America, serving dispensaries, cultivators, and ancillary product companies — a core CHAMPS buyer segment (dispensaries) and a competing venue for cannabis-related exhibitor budgets.
- NECANN (New England Cannabis Network): NECANN runs regional B2B cannabis conventions in the Northeast US, addressing the same dispensary and ancillary exhibitor base as CHAMPS, particularly relevant given CHAMPS' Atlantic City footprint.
- Hall of Flowers: Hall of Flowers is a B2B cannabis trade show and expo serving dispensary buyers and product brands, competing with CHAMPS for cannabis-related exhibitor spend within the same buyer demographic.
- CannaCon: CannaCon organizes multi-city B2B cannabis industry trade shows across the US, directly overlapping with CHAMPS' dispensary and smoke-shop exhibitor pool as well as buyer profiles.
- Informa Markets (TPE - Total Product Expo): Informa Markets is one of the world's largest B2B trade show operators and produces the Total Product Expo (TPE), a direct competitor trade show serving the tobacco, vape, and convenience-store channel — closely overlapping CHAMPS' core exhibitor and buyer base.
Others
- LeafLink: LeafLink operates the leading wholesale B2B marketplace for cannabis, serving many of the same dispensary buyers and product brands as CHAMPS. It is a thematic adjacent / potential disruptor — a digital channel that could substitute for some in-person trade show activity over time.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Champs Trade Shows social profiles
Digital presenceChamps Trade Shows financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Champs Trade Shows leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles1 record
Champs Trade Shows funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Champs Trade Shows M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Champs Trade Shows
What does Champs Trade Shows do?
CHAMPS Trade Shows organizes multi-city B2B trade show events that connect manufacturers, distributors, wholesalers, and glass artists with verified retail and wholesale buyers in the counterculture, smoking accessories, vaping, cannabis, and specialty gift industries. Revenue is generated through exhibitor booth rentals (10x10, 10x20, and 20x20 configurations) and tiered sponsorship packages, while verified buyer admission is free. The flagship Glass Games live glassblowing competition with cash prizes is integrated into each show.
Is Champs Trade Shows a public or private company?
Champs Trade Shows is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was Champs Trade Shows founded?
Champs Trade Shows was founded in 1999. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Champs Trade Shows based?
Champs Trade Shows is headquartered in Las Vegas, United States, in the North America region.
How does Champs Trade Shows make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Exhibitor Booth Fees are the primary driver. The others are sponsorship Packages and buyer Admission.
Who are Champs Trade Shows's main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are Clarion Events, RX Global (Reed Exhibitions) and Emerald Holding. Direct peers are Benzinga Cannabis Events (Cannabis Conference), MJBiz (MJBizCon), NECANN (New England Cannabis Network), Hall of Flowers, CannaCon and Informa Markets (TPE - Total Product Expo). LeafLink is listed as an others.
Does Champs Trade Shows have an API?
No public API is recorded for Champs Trade Shows.
What industry is Champs Trade Shows in?
Champs Trade Shows's product category is Trade Show & Event Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is THAHABAB, Industry-Specific B2B Trade Show Organizers. Its NAICS code is 56192 and its SIC code is 7990.