It is fair to say that the many vape-related activities which were centred around the Vaper Expo weekend in Birmingham were very positive indeed for UK Vaping Industry Association members.
It was amazing to look out at the sea of red UKVIA placards displayed on our members’ stands and the fantastic reception we received over the three days was fantastic.
Our Director General John Dunne was constantly in demand as so many people came over to chat with him and invited him to their stands as he walked around the NEC expo hall.
It was also great to catch up with existing members and to receive so many inquiries from potential new members as the UKVIA continues to grow and represent the industry, both at home and abroad.
Highlights for us included the 2023 Vapouround Awards evening which was held at the end of the expo’s business-to-business day at the nearby National Conference Centre and it proved to be an exceptionally good night for the UKVIA. Not only were there a record number of awards given out but almost one third of the winners came from within the ranks of the UKVIA membership.
Each and every one of these accolades was richly deserved and it looked great to see so many stands proudly showing off their Vapouround glassware at the Vaper Expo.
There were 36 different categories at the Vapouround Awards and these are the winners from among our membership:
Outstanding Contribution to the Vape Industry – FEELM
Industry Leader – GEEKVAPE
Vapouround Hall of Fame – Dr. Vapes
Best Innovation – VAPORESSO
Best Tank MTL – GEEKVAPE
Best Mod – VOOPOO
Best Disposable – KIWI GO （powered by FEELM)
Best Newcomer – WAKA
Best Online Vape Retailer – Royal Flush Vape
Best Exhibition Stand – POP Vapor
Best UK Vape Retailer – Cloud City Vapes
Not forgetting our Director General John Dunne who was named as Advocate of the Year once again. Well done John!
By any standards, such a winning line up is impressive, but it is even more so that many of the most high-profile awards including Outstanding Contribution to the Vape Industry (FEELM), Industry Leader (GEEKVAPE) and Vapouround Hall of Fame (Dr. Vapes) were all won by our members.
FEELM were obviously on a high at the end of the first night but they also had reason for more celebrations 24 hours later as they chose this weekend to launch their new FEELM Max with ceramic coil and announced they had already won orders from big names including RELX and KIWI.
The launch was just down the corridor from the Vaper Expo within the NEC complex and there were loud cheers from the audience as they ran through the technological advances of this new ceramic heating powerhouse.
FEELM say their ceramic coil is so efficient at vaporising e-liquid that virtually every drop is used resulting in 800 puffs (up from 600 puffs from mainstream devices) from a TRPR-compliant 2ml tank.
When we look at the range of businesses represented by the UKVIA we see a common theme in that they all lead by example to show the industry in the best possible light as we work to fulfil vaping’s potential to help bring in a smokefree Britain.
But not everyone sets such a good example and, sadly, there were examples of non-compliant products on display at the Vaper Expo, including devices offering 5,000 puffs and 5% nicotine.
Arcus Compliance, a leading member of the UKVIA, challenged the non-compliant brands at the show and put stickers on the offending products warning visitors that they were not to be sold in the UK.
Finally, we would like to thank Vaper Expo for supporting us with a fantastic stand, POP Vapour and Vapouround for their hospitality and for taking great care of our team and distinguished guests from our partner association in China (ECCC) at the Vapouround Awards and to Zeus Juice for hosting the UKVIA team during their fantastic after-party.
ENDS