Champs Trade Shows

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.

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

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

• B2B trade shows
• Counterculture expo
• Smoke shop wholesale
• Glassblowing competition
• Exhibitor booth rentals

Headquarters

HQ city

Las Vegas

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Operations, Marketing or Sales, Personnel, Others

Revenue model

1. 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.
2. 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.
3. Buyer Admission: Verified buyers attend free of charge. Additional guests beyond 4 per business are subject to a $50 entrance fee.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core 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

Named customers8 records

Segments8 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

31 partnerships are on record, tiered platinum sponsor, gold sponsor, annual sponsor, venue partner and hotel partner.

• DemandVapeplatinum sponsorGTM or Marketing PartnerPlatinum sponsor of CHAMPS Trade Shows with logo featured on website homepage and promotional materials
• MellowFellowplatinum sponsorGTM or Marketing PartnerPlatinum sponsor of CHAMPS Trade Shows with logo featured on website homepage and promotional materials
• JBrands Distro (MIA-ICONIQ)platinum sponsorGTM or Marketing PartnerPlatinum sponsor of CHAMPS Trade Shows with logo featured on website homepage and promotional materials
• 1-Oak Wholesalegold sponsorGTM or Marketing PartnerGold sponsor with logo on CHAMPS website and promotional materials
• CaliKulturegold sponsorGTM or Marketing PartnerGold sponsor with logo on CHAMPS website and promotional materials
• CannaBiz Wholesalergold sponsorGTM or Marketing PartnerGold sponsor with logo on CHAMPS website and promotional materials
• Coastal Cloudsgold sponsorGTM or Marketing PartnerGold sponsor with logo on CHAMPS website and promotional materials
• Cravegold sponsorGTM or Marketing PartnerGold sponsor with logo on CHAMPS website and promotional materials
• Hill Country Hemp ARitagold sponsorGTM or Marketing PartnerGold sponsor with logo on CHAMPS website and promotional materials
• Hillside Glassgold sponsorGTM or Marketing PartnerGold sponsor with logo on CHAMPS website and promotional materials
• IceKreamgold sponsorGTM or Marketing PartnerGold sponsor with logo on CHAMPS website and promotional materials
• Durity Distribution (Mit-Therapy)gold sponsorGTM or Marketing PartnerGold sponsor with logo on CHAMPS website and promotional materials
• PartyNutsgold sponsorGTM or Marketing PartnerGold sponsor with logo on CHAMPS website and promotional materials
• SIG Distrogold sponsorGTM or Marketing PartnerGold sponsor with logo on CHAMPS website and promotional materials
• SmokeNationgold sponsorGTM or Marketing PartnerGold sponsor with logo on CHAMPS website and promotional materials
• Sunrise Wholesale Rockeygold sponsorGTM or Marketing PartnerGold sponsor with logo on CHAMPS website and promotional materials
• ZourStashgold sponsorGTM or Marketing PartnerGold sponsor with logo on CHAMPS website and promotional materials
• B2B Wholesaler Magazinegold sponsorGTM or Marketing PartnerGold sponsor with logo on CHAMPS website and promotional materials
• ABR Imageryannual sponsorGTM or Marketing PartnerAnnual sponsor of CHAMPS Glass Games competitions
• Bethlehem Burnersannual sponsorGTM or Marketing PartnerAnnual sponsor of CHAMPS Glass Games competitions
• CBS Dichroicannual sponsorGTM or Marketing PartnerAnnual sponsor of CHAMPS Glass Games competitions
• Exotic Soda Companyannual sponsorGTM or Marketing PartnerAnnual sponsor of CHAMPS Glass Games competitions
• North Jersey Diamond Wheelannual sponsorGTM or Marketing PartnerAnnual sponsor of CHAMPS Glass Games competitions
• Northstar Glassannual sponsorGTM or Marketing PartnerAnnual sponsor of CHAMPS Glass Games competitions
• Polar Blastannual sponsorGTM or Marketing PartnerAnnual sponsor of CHAMPS Glass Games competitions
• Puff Pendy Meltsannual sponsorGTM or Marketing PartnerAnnual sponsor of CHAMPS Glass Games competitions
• UST Glassannual sponsorGTM or Marketing PartnerAnnual sponsor of CHAMPS Glass Games competitions
• Las Vegas Convention Centervenue partnerOthersPrimary venue for Las Vegas shows (South Hall)
• Resorts World Las Vegashotel partnerOthersOfficial hotel partner offering discounted rates ($95 Sun-Thurs, $195 Fri & Sat) for CHAMPS attendees
• Tuscany Suites & Casinohotel partnerOthersOfficial hotel partner offering discounted rates ($69 Sun-Thurs, $179 Fri & Sat, no resort fee) with shuttle to Convention Center
• Hilton Fort Lauderdale Marinahotel partnerOthersOfficial hotel partner for Fort Lauderdale shows ($209/night standard, $249/night upgraded)

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad 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

• Xx.com/champstradeshow
• Facebookfacebook.com/CHAMPSTradeShows

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Champs Trade Shows