VapeCon 2018 - the story in pictures

[Silver]

Right, it's time to get this thread started.

VapeCon 2018 was a very special event. It was the first time VapeCon was held over 2 days and that worked great. There was also a big increase in the number of international exhibitors - which shows the international interest in our South African vaping industry. Most importantly, the spirit, passion and enthusiasm from all sides made it electric and gave it a great vibe.

We are going to tell the story using the professional photos that were taken for us. With commentary and insights as we go - so we can all appreciate them more. Feel free to add in your own commentary or perspective on the photo being shared. If you see yourself in the photo, let us know

Once again, we would like to give credit to the amazing photographer Francois Booyens who captured the event for us for the third year. His skill and ability to relate to people and see special moments is what makes his work extra special. Thank you Francois!

 

[Silver]

We are busy getting the photos ready for the "official story". It's going to take a little while because its no small task. And we do need a day or two's break to recover and get some rest after the VapeCon volcanic weekend (which for us started on Thursday with preparing the venue)

But for now let's share a few photos from Saturday 25 August (Day 1) to get into the spirit...

First up, here's one of @Rob Fisher at the front of the queue early in the morning!

 

[Silver]

VapeCon 2018 is open! First in the gates

 

[Silver]

2018 is the year of regulation. Zodwa Velleman CEO/Chairperson of VPA SA gave us a short talk on the draft bill and explained where we are and how things could progress on this front. Was great to have the VPA exhibiting again at VapeCon this year.

 

[Silver]

Who says vaping is all about guys with beards

Our VapeCon promotional staff looked elegant and gorgeous!

 

[Silver]

Let's blow some clouds!

@Rob Fisher I think this cloud was a bit bigger than yours

 

[Silver]

There were lots of giveaways from the VapeCon stage.

Check out those inflatable dice from Vaporesso. So cool.



This one from IVG. The crowds were going crazy. It was very exciting. Well captured on this one Francois!

 

[Resistance]

Nice

 

[Rob Fisher]

Right here we go... we have sorted through thousands of pics and selected the best of the best... first off let's see some of the pics of the peeps in the queue and the start of the fun and excitement!

 

[Rob Fisher]

This guy seems very excited but I don't recognise him in long pants!

 

[baksteen8168]

This guy seems very excited but I don't recognise him in long pants!
View attachment 147271

That guy told my wife her boobs were too big to win a prize.

 

[Rob Fisher]

And thanks to @BaD Mountain aka Kobus from Rebel Revolution Vape we had free coffee and hot chocolate to take the edge off the chill of the wait!

 

[Rob Fisher]

We learnt a lot of lessons last year and this year we preregistered everyone in the queue to set a new all-time record of getting the masses into the venue in record time! Here are our hot promo girls fitting entrance bracelets for da peeps!

 

[Dela Rey Steyn]

 

[Rob Fisher]

Kewl hairstyles!

 

[Rob Fisher]

Check this nutcase!

 

[Rob Fisher]

The car park is filling up real fast!

 

[Rob Fisher]

A couple of shots of our hot videographer!

 

[Rob Fisher]

The crowds in the queue were very well behaved this year and thanks to the new system of fences and gates there was no jumping of the queue and it was all excitement and no raised blood pressures.

And some of the peeps had been in the queue for a very long time and it was only right that the first in the queue won the first prize giveaways of the show!

 

[Rob Fisher]

For me, the best thing about Vape Meets and VapeCon's are interfacing with the people! Here I am interfacing!

 

[Rob Fisher]

Just before we opened the gates we did a mass cloud blow! It was epic!

 

[Rob Fisher]

This chap from IVG in the UK spent more time with his pants around his knees... I need eye bleach after that! But what a good marketing idea... he handed out IVG T-Shirts to the queue so when the pics of the crowd going in are published there are a lot of IVG logos! Clever!

 

[Rob Fisher]

More interfacing... note @Christos and @SAVapeGear in the background... What is going through @Christos's mind?

 

[Rob Fisher]

We had upped the security big time this year and they did an awesome job!

 

[Rob Fisher]

And the man of the moment! Hi Ho @Silver with Kelsi who was his left and right hand women for the show... Look how relaxed he is compared to previous VapeCon's. Hi Ho has this expo thing taped... yes he worked tirelessly for months but it paid off big time on the day and things ran really smoothly! How much do we love Hi Ho @Silver?