CHAMPS

Glass, Grinders, and Gadgets: Innovation on Display at CHAMPS

Since its founding in 1999, the CHAMPS Trade Show has grown into one of the premier B2B expositions serving the counterculture, smoke shop, and cannabis accessory industries. It provides a unique, concentrated arena where manufacturers, designers, distributors, and retail buyers converge—making it especially relevant for accessory brands seeking visibility, insight, and growth.

1. What CHAMPS Offers

CHAMPS isn’t a consumer fair; it’s a trade show strictly for qualified industry players. Exhibitors include makers of glassware, dab tools, grinders, specialty containers, lighters, and other paraphernalia; buyers come from smoke shops, head shops, dispensaries, novelty stores, and related retail channels.

The trade show spans a variety of product categories: from hand-blown glass art and high-end glass pieces to more mass-market accessories, as well as counterculture apparel and gifts. For accessory brands, this mix creates opportunities both to compete in the high end (design, artistry) and to scale in lower-margin but higher-volume segments.

Another draw is CHAMPS’ supportive features: “Glass Games” competitions showcasing glass blowing, a “Smoke Shop Report” that highlights trends, and the ability to get direct feedback from retail buyers.

2. Why It Matters for Cannabis Accessory Brands

  • Market Validation & Trend Signals: Accessory brands can see what styles, materials, and functionalities are resonating—what color palettes, what ergonomic improvements, and what features (e.g., UV protection, odor control, modular designs) are gaining traction among buyers and customers. CHAMPS serves as an early indicator of what accessory products could succeed or struggle.
  • Retailer Loyalty & Wholesale Volume: For many accessory makers, placements in dispensaries or specialty stores constitute a major part of their revenue stream. CHAMPS is one of the few venues where you meet many of those retailers in person, negotiate wholesale deals, secure new accounts, or renew relationships.
  • Brand Differentiation via Design & Quality: As accessory products become more commoditized, craftsmanship, unique materials, or design innovation can help brands stand out. Participation and showing at CHAMPS (especially in curated or glass artist segments) helps brand firms build reputation, credibility, and justify pricier positioning.
  • Regulatory Awareness & Industry Networking: Cannabis accessory brands often face evolving local/state/federal regulation, especially around things like THC/vape devices, materials safety, claims, etc. CHAMPS trade shows tend to gather players across the supply chain, allowing accessory brands to tap into shared knowledge, compliance ideas, and partnerships (e.g. safer materials, better packaging) to stay ahead.
  • Scalability & Supply Chain Insights: For many smaller or emerging accessory makers, scaling up means finding reliable manufacturers, supply partners for components, or distribution channels. Exhibiting at CHAMPS not only lets you present your own accessories but also lets you scout new component suppliers, potential partners, contract manufacturers, or expand distribution.

3. Challenges & Considerations

While the upside is significant, accessory brands also face challenges:

  • Competition & Saturation: Because CHAMPS features vast numbers of accessory vendors, it can be hard to stand out unless you have distinct design, branding, or innovation.
  • Margin Pressures: Buyers often compare cost heavily. Accessories—especially made of glass or specialty materials—can have tight margins, high breakage risk, or compliance costs.
  • Regulation & Legal Risks: Even though accessories are often legal, their association with cannabis means accessory brands need to be aware of laws in each state (or country), especially for vaporizers or items linked to consumption.
  • Logistics & Costs: Attending trade shows has costs (travel, booth fees, shipping of inventory). Brands need to budget carefully to ensure ROI—leveraging the show not just for sales, but for relationships, insights, and follow-ups.

4. Strategy Tips for Accessory Brands at CHAMPS

  • Prioritize a distinctive booth/design to visually catch attention (e.g. lighting, demonstration pieces).
  • Highlight quality and safety in materials (e.g. certified glass, non-toxic finishes, sustainable sourcing).
  • Plan product launches or exclusive pieces timed with the show.
  • Build strong collateral (catalogs, samples) to leave with buyers.
  • Use the show for market research: note what others are charging, what styling is trending, and talk directly with retailers on what their customers are asking for.

Conclusion

For cannabis accessory brands, CHAMPS Trade Show represents more than another expo—it’s one of the most concentrated, relevant environments for accelerating exposure, testing ideas, building retail channels, and staying abreast of shifting trends and regulations. Brands that enter prepared, with distinct value propositions and strong branding, can leverage CHAMPS not just for immediate sales, but for longer-term growth and positioning in the evolving accessory market.