Have you ever been to an event, or even on holiday,
where you truly felt disconnected from the outside
world? Where everything apart from the time and
place you stood in just didn’t matter? That was
how my first experience of the Vaper Expo UK
in May felt.
In some respects my colleagues had given me a level
of expectation ahead of the weekend which included
tales from The Return in October and the May 2017
show which blew them away – it did cross my mind
that they could have been exaggurating. Well I stand
corrected. This weekend devoured every expectation
and as it drew to a close on the sunny bank holiday
weekend, I was left wanting more.
From the Vapouround Casino to the main stage to
celebrity takeovers, there was so much happening
under one roof it did seem hard to keep up at times.
But you see, that’s the thrill of the ride that is the UK
and Europe’s largest vape exhibition.
The sheer scale and size of the show added to the
atmosphere – to know you were among some of the
global leaders in this rapidly growing industry was
surreal. Naturally, everyone I met I was inquisitive
of. Who were they? What did they do before they
were a top dog in the e-cigarette trade? Did they ever
expect to achieve such a height of success in a few
short years since this industry exploded?
On Friday, which was B2B day, the Vapouround team
had an extra serving of breakfast to prepare for the
longest day of the working year, as the third annual
Vapouround Awards were taking place that evening.
This day required intense organisation on our part,
to make the most of every opportunity on the expo
floor until close, and then appear miraculously in
our finest frocks fuss-free by 7pm at the awards
venue across the NEC. And as it turned out, it all
went smoothly thanks to a lot of forward thought.
The awards have become part and parcel of the Vaper
Expo UK B2B day, and I saw first hand the prestige
and excitement our event instills in exhibitors. On
Saturday morning as the group set up for the day
– feeling the effects from the night before– team
Souljar strutted past stand D220 with a noticeable
spring in their step, clutching their Vapouround
Award for Best Dessert as they made their way to
their booth cheering.
Of course there was one development which had
everyone talking. Thanks to a certain celebrity taking
over our stand ahead of the launch of his first line of
e-liquids, there was an elevated air of excitement and
anticipation on both Friday and Saturday. Stephen
Manderson, or Professor Green to most of us, set
up shop with his three UNRULY liquids. This drove
crowds of vapers in our direction. It was mutually
beneficial for our brand and his, and we hope to do
more with the rapper and business man in the future
as he becomes a vocal advocate for vaping. Don’t
miss our exclusive interview with Professor Green
SEE OUR EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW IN OUR
PULLOUT SECTION.
To say it was over in the blink of an eye wouldn’t
sum up how quickly these days passed. A certain
highlight was the Vapouround Casino, which drew
a competitive edge out of many. We must credit our
casino workers for running this huge game centre so
efficiently. To see people leave the expo with prizes
like a quad bike, TVs, iPads and sample boxes of
juice was worth the hard work in the set-up
that week.
We parked the Vapouround Bus across the hall
and it was the centre of attention for the weekend
among vape shop owners and their staff. The bus
has become a focal point for smoking cessation at
the Vaper Expo UK and having been to the expo
it’s clear why – it’s approachable and not at all like
a regular stand for anyone who may be new to the
vaping scene. The bus will be coming to a stop near
you as it embarks on a huge nationwide tour in the
latter half of the year.
This was an important show for us as Vapouround
prepares to celebrate its third birthday in August.
Who knows what exciting developments will have
unfolded by the October show? One thing is certain:
whoever says Christmas only comes once a year
clearly hasn’t been to the Vaper Expo UK.
VM17 | 125