EVENTS
MY FIRST
VAPER EXPO UK
AN EXHAUSTING BUT EXHILARATING
FEAST FOR THE SENSES
BY GORDON STRIBLING
Having attended my sister’s wedding the day before the Expo
began and consequently missing most of our prep work, I felt more
than a little guilty when I arrived at the NEC just before 8.30am
on Day One. However, I quickly realised that I’d have more than
enough work to keep me busy over the next three days.
The dark walkway leading to the Expo was illuminated by red
and blue lights, reminding me of the feeling of anticipation I’d
experienced during my raving years as I walked into massive
clubs and warehouses in the very late hours.
There, welcoming me at the other side of the tunnel, was the
Vapouround bus in all its glory. It was staggering to think how
many people would see the bus and meet the team over the next
three days.
I grabbed some goody bags and began handing them out to the
fast-fl owing stream of people making their way into the exhibition
hall. With so many people coming by it didn’t take long for us to
get into a rhythm and we were soon a well-oiled machine – some
people handing out bags, some liquid samples and others details
of the inaugural Vapouround Casino.
With music further fuelling my adrenaline, I started making my
way around. I soon noticed an interesting contrast unique to B2B
day. You have the lively, customer-focused entertainment and
attractions of the public days but, at the same time, hands are
being shaken as business deals are sealed. Nowhere was this
more apparent than the Riot Squad stand where a man in a suit
handed over his business card while two penguins danced in a
boxing ring beside him.
Keen to cement some fl edgling business relationships of my own,
I headed over to the see Duran of Canada’s Vango Vapes. It was
his and Vango Vapes’ fi rst visit to the Expo and it’s fair to say that
he was as in awe of the place as I was. It was great to hear that
he already felt accepted by the welcoming UK vaping community.
I realised early on that it was pretty much impossible to move
through the Expo in a methodical fashion. Not because of any
issues with the layout – quite the opposite. Wherever I went there
was always some other sight, sound or (very often) smell to pull
me in another direction.
“FINALLY, IT WAS TIME TO HEAD INTO
THE SHOW ITSELF.” One such stand was Vape Shlurp. The striking pinks and blues
really drew me in. I loved the artwork. Anime isn’t the niche
interest it once was and even though I’m not really into it myself it
certainly caught my eye.
I made my way into the exhibition hall and stopped to take it all in.
The sheer scal