In fact there was so much to see and do that the tickets I was
given for free drinks at the VIP bar went unused…and that is not
like me! (I did actually get to the bar at the end of the final day only
to find that it had already closed.)
We were the official media partners for this event and it was great
to see so many people walking around with our eCig Expo show
guide which had been printed in both English and Chinese.
Day two saw the first day which was open to the public and I had
to do a double take as I walked past one stand which was blasting
out music to attract visitors.
I smiled as I heard a familiar tune but one which I had not heard
to for some time…”Glory Glory Man United…Stand up for the
Champions…” was not something I had expected at a vape show.
For a moment I was lost in memories of the glory days of this
great football club under Sir Alex Ferguson… but I digress.
The music faded as I walked to the stage area at the rear of Hall
9 where a vape talent contest was taking place. The contest
wasn’t limited to a vape theme so there were dancers, singers
and rappers all performing to the crowds.
This was great fun and it was clear that everyone involved had a
wonderful time taking part.
On the final day of the expo the same stage was the venue for
the China final of the World Series of Cloud Chasing which drew
massive crowds (and massive clouds).
During this contest there were lots of giveaways from the stage
with people snapping up hats, t-shirts, juices and other vape-
related goodies.
The funniest moment was when a take-away coffee cup containing
a bottle of e-liquid was thrown into the crowd.
In the scramble to claim this prize one person ended up with the
empty coffee cup while another got the e-liquid which had been
inside. In the end it was decided that the person with the juice
should get the container too but it was a funny moment.
This was a very well-organised show and the the organisers very
very helpful and accommodating. They really went the extra mile
to make everyone feel welcome.
One thing which came as a surprise was how strict everyone was
about timings. If the show finished at 7pm then that is the time
that the halls had to be emptied. From half an hour earlier the
lights were dimmed and officials went around locking doors and
securing them with metal chains and padlocks.
Those who stayed until the end found that virtually every door
had been padlocked shut and finding one still open was a bit of
a challenge.
It was exactly the same at a shopping mall we visited where the
lights being switched off and the exit doors being locked was the
signal that the mall had closed for the evening.
The vaping scene is huge in China and particularly so in Shenzhen
where many vaping companies are located.
Next year’s expo is already being planned and it will be even
bigger than this year’s show. Four halls covering 37,500 sq m
have been booked for the 2018 event so it is going to be another
big one.
VAPOUROUND MAGAZINE ISSUE 11 111