“ IT ’ S BEEN A YEAR OF CONTROVERSY AND UPS AND DOWNS , BUT THE VAPOUROUND AWARDS HAS ALWAYS BEEN A CELEBRATION OF THE INDUSTRY AND ITS PEOPLE . WE ’ RE ALL UNITED IN OUR DESIRE FOR A SMOKE-FREE FUTURE .”
Next we were treated to a flashback of the year that was since the previous May ’ s expo , in a glittering video that reflected an extraordinary 12 months . Paul then revealed the ins and outs of the judging process , revealing the key figures who took on this herculean task over four days at our flagship Vapouround Lounge in Derby .
At 8.45pm everyone ’ s favourite double act took the reins . Despite spending the day mingling at the expo with inimitable energy , hosts Johnnie Lovell of BHVape and Strawberry Queen ’ s Ashley Hansen still had plenty left for the evening .
This year , everyone got the VIP treatment with sponsors and nominees getting video packages previewing their award-worthy products to the room . Speech highlights included Lee Skelding and Jay Cox , who once again took the award for Best Trade Show . They assured us , “ We ’ ll keep doing the best we can for as long as we can , as long as you keep trying to do the best you can do .”
As proceedings began to peak , Johnnie reiterated what the night was all about , raising a glass to everyone in the industry – regardless of their position , tenure , or location .
Magician Nick Einhorn outdid his card tricks from earlier , talking the audience through a mind-blowing trick which saw everyone open a letter placed at their seat , pull out a card bearing an e-liquid company name , place it face down , fold it , tear it in half , mix it with the others , recombine their pieces and see what they had made .
But the fun wasn ’ t over yet . Comedian and after dinner speaker Ian Irving perked everyone up with a rich repertoire of comedy , all performed with effortless charm . Irving ran through astute observations , unpredictable one-liners , absurd stories and even roped Paul into the act from the VIP table .
We aim to excite and so0 before the final awards were dished out there was one final act of the evening . A dazzling display lit up the stage in a Glow Tron Show which was an incredible display of skill and pageantry .
The awards maintained the important balance of giving industry leaders their due while providing an otherwise rare platform to boost and commend the more underexposed and underrated figures and companies in the trade – tomorrow ’ s leaders no doubt . It bestowed honour on the best of 2017 and ignited a fire under the best of 2018 and beyond .
We spend months preparing for this night each year and we never want it to end . So much can happen in a year in this industry , it ’ s anyone ’ s guess as to who will be at the forefront of the sector by next May . One thing is certain , we ’ ll be right there to recognise them at the 2019 Vapouround Awards whoever it is .
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