Anybody who attended C.H.A.M.P.S. 2011 in Las Vegas this year would agree that it was a damn good time.
IgniteMe.co was given the privilege of covering the event and seeing what everyone had to offer. The entire show had an incredibly friendly feel to it and everybody was willing to share their glass and knowledge. Though not everyone walks away from CHAMPS with some sick glass, they’ll definitely leave with way more knowledge of the game (plus a BUNCH of SWAG).
There was almost everything to be found in the industry plus a bunch of other types of distributors. One of the greatest parts of the show was the live glass-blowing competition featuring fantastic blowers like the Beware of Dog crew, Torcher Glass, Worm, Shaggy, Turtle, and dozens of other talented artists who impressed the crowds with their skills. A total of $25,000 was awarded amongst the winners. The Glass Games were a rad form of entertainment, but the greatest thing about CHAMPS was the variety of different vendors, distributors and buyers.
The Las Vegas Convention Center hall was loaded with company reps promoting their impressive products, a lot of which were brilliant and brand new ideas. Part of the beauty of the show is that it gives lesser known artists and companies a great opportunity to put their stuff on display next to the big guys, so you know the proof is in the pudding when there’s a swarm of buyers at some small glass company next to an established tech glass company. Everyone knows where the real talent is and those booths buzz the most (though booth babes do help).
There were a number of big names in the industry like Phx, RooR, and several others, not to say that they were necessarily the most popular. Some of the smaller/newer names had the finest and most impressive pieces. Here are some pics from around the show:
New technologies and innovations were on the maximum at the show. A few of the vaporizer and other products hadn’t even hit the headshops yet but were available for demo. CHAMPS this year was on the cutting edge of all the new products in the industry and it was all evident of great progress. We’re posting reviews of all the best products from CHAMPS so look out for the newest badass equipment.
37 Responses to “Glassland: CHAMPS 2011”
this was a awesome show! everyone needs to come to champs ! its litterly the biggest!
The event looks insane! So many enthusiasts in one spot it must be quite an experience! Lucky you got to go
yeah the headshop around my neck of the woods always swoops some dopeness there
nice! most the sick headshops go to this show since its the biggest one of them all
I bet. I need to get there fooooor sure!
I’ve never been to an exposition of this size but IgniteMe covered it better than any I’ve ever seen! Love the high quality pictures, and a video would be great to see
im pretty sure they made a giant video , biggestone for the show, i saw them walking around everyday gettin dope footage, HD im guessing
I agree! Ive never been but im dying to go!
Heck ya I love glass expos, some of worked pieces are absolutely tantalizing. Who’s the artist for the first wubbler bubbler? It looks like it has more than 16 tree arms. Not too big of a piece to carry around either eh, I want it~
It was Liquid Glassworks!
LG is so dope props
haha to go there with a 100000 to blow……..OMFG lol
Oh i know, that bubbler is insane!
Champs is awesome, I heard the East Coast one was a little weak but Vegas always kills it!
deffinitly! everyone loves VEGAS! such good times in sin city with the best group of people the world has to offer!!!
Oh i didnt know they do an east coast one too!
Wow, RooR usa is doing some nice custom work!
Gotta agree, I really appreciate the clear straight shotty and the worked bowl combo
Right? ROor is gettttttin it
I heard the West Coast champs killed the East coast one this year as well!
i heard it did ok on the east for a first timer, but yea its pretty huge in vegas!
oh yeah, west coast gots the illest IMO
west coast is the beeest coast.
I’m gonna have to make the trek out to las vegas next year! looks like such an awesome event.
You and me both sam!
Definitely worth a trip up there! Champs 2012 for sure
im jealous my friends get to go every year ITS HEAVEN
its pretty dope! AGE is awesome too!
Ooh really? What is AGE?
AGE is the American Glass Expo and they have a ton of sweet stuff just like CHAMPS! Check out some of the other IgniteMe articles if you haven’t seen them!
Im so jealous too. We need to get in on that tradition!
I feel like I’d be like a porn addict at the Adult Film Fest lol
haha the EXotica con was going on next door at hempcon in la acouple weeks back but they were charging sooo much to get in
You and me both. I think this is better then porn.
Amazing.
BEAUTIFUL PIECES.
Beautiful enthusiasts. <3
Thanks for all the great pics and info at Champs…..Next event Feb 21/22/23 for info http://www.champstradeshows.com We are working hard to make the show an amazing experience We bought over 800 room nites at the Tuscanny in Las Vegas (highest rated hotel.. in last 5 years) at the amazing price of 38dollars tax included (NO Resort fee) Go to our web for info
this is were i want to go
hopefully next year we can make it out! i love glass not just as pieces but as an art form, its sooo beautiful! allthe pictures are amazing too!