Vapouround magazine ISSUE 21 | Page 142

BY PATRICK GRIFFIN CBD.IO-THE FUTURE OF WELLNESS LAS VEGAS CONVENTION CENTER - NOVEMBER 9-10 They are used to putting on a good show in Las Vegas and the CBD.io event in November was no exception. For two days at the Las Vegas Convention Center we were immersed in all things CBD as The Future of Wellness event got underway. Having worked with Vapouround since it was launched three-and- a-half years ago, I have covered my fair share of vape events and anyone who has attended a vape expo would feel right at home here. In fact, this event was two shows in one – CBD.io for the CBD contingent and VapExpo Las Vegas for the vaping community. Both shows complemented each other perfectly and proved to be a natural and totally seamless fit. The vaping and CBD markets are both young, vibrant and exciting and the same spirit of adventure is evident in both. The same passion that is so often encountered in the vape industry is here in the CBD market too and it is easy to see why there has been something of a cross-over between the two sectors. It was good to see established vape companies launching or promoting their new CBD lines at this show as this is a logical and natural progression as the industry grows and evolves. There is clearly synergy between the vaping and CBD sectors and many people who have switched from smoking to vaping can see the benefit of using CBD-based products too. At every stand I visited, exhibitors were keen to help me understand their products and the benefits they could provide. Exhibitors were often just as happy to tell their own personal stories of discovering CBD products and wanted to help others understand this young, up-and-coming market. Needless to say, this meant that right from the outset I felt really 142 | VM21 comfortable speaking to people from the CBD community and learned so much during the two days I was in Vegas. Those from a vaping background may see CBD products as a vaping add-on but this could not be further from the truth. Just spend five minutes at a show like this and you will see the huge range of CBD products that are out there. There were oils, edible chews, gummies, pet products, supplements, alternative medicine and CBD vape products at the show and this was just scratching the surface. This was a truly international event with companies from the US, Europe and Asia all well-represented and at no time did I feel that this was two separate shows sharing the same space. Conventions like this are great ways to catch up with existing industry contacts and also to meet new people. I was particularly pleased to catch up with David Goerlitz who is now a big name in the CBD industry. When I first met David a few years back he was still known as the former Winston Man but he has managed to reinvent himself as a leading – and often outspoken – voice in the CBD world as he seeks to spread the message of the benefits of these products. We had a stand at the show both for Vapouround Magazine and the Vapouround Club and it was great to meet so many people who wanted to find out more about what we do. A huge thanks to everybody who took time to say ‘hi’ to us and to the organisers who put this event together and worked hard to make it a really memorable experience. Here’s to the next one.