EVENTS
ARIZONA | 20TH - 21ST FEBRUARY 2016
by Paul Caplin
T
he organisers had tried to
make this more of a weekend
experience rather than a
standalone expo, where
consumers and vendors alike were given
the opportunity to enjoy a weekend of
fun, advocacy, and amazing deals.
One of the greatest things about this
expo is that proceeds supported a truly
noble cause – The Vape a Vet Project.
A charity poker tournament was
organised the night before the expo,
where many vendors attended to raise
some serious cash for The Vape a Vet
Project.
It was a great night set in the Moonshine
Bar at Rawhide, a tiny cowboy town
which had been cleverly recreated to
look exactly like a set from a western.
The pre-party sponsored by Suicide
Bunny was a massive hit and also
doubled up as a place where vendors
could relax and have fun, do business,
110 ISSUE 04 VAPOUROUND MAGAZINE
and even raise some money for this
worthwhile cause.
Why was this expo so different from the
others? This is a quote taken directly
from their website, and I feel that it’s
important to portray the organisers’
wonderful transparency.
“First and foremost, all proceeds from
the convention will benefit The Vape a
Vet Project (a 501c3 charity that provides
starter kits and care packages to active
and former Service Members completely
free of charge to them).
There are no strings attached, no hidden
fees, and no alternative agendas. It’s as
simple as this: every single penny that
is received from sponsors and other
activities goes directly to The Vape a
Vet Project.
In fact, all sponsorship checks and wire
transfers are made directly to The Vape
a Vet Project.
Additionally, our team of dedicated event
managers generously donate their time
and expertise into creating a convention
that supports our community.
Everything that goes into Vapin’ The Sun
is out of passion, dedication, and service
to our community.”
This caught our attention straight away.
You would think with no hidden agenda,
with no financial gain and with no other
reason than to put on an event, that this
event may lack the glamour, glitz and big
production we are used to seeing at so
many other events across the world.
Boy you would have been wrong if that
was your thought process.
We arrived on day one and received a
very warm welcome.
The organisers personally introduced
themselves to us and seemed delighted
to have us there. We didn’t have to go
through a laborious check-in process;
they came to us with our badges, and
were more than willing to go out of their