Vaping is like high school

Vaping is like a giant high school. With that begin said this is why I am so tired of this community lately.  We have a large group and it seems like everyone has turned into a bunch of immature high school students.

This group hates this group for some unknown reason.

This person said this about so and so.

I think people should think before they speak.

I used to enjoy vape meets in the Orlando area. Usually ended up talking with someone I didn't know before. Now I dread them. The stores do nothing to motivate me to come in. OK it can get expensive to buy food, but at least have water and something to munch on.

The meets are less and less organized and the people tend to stand in their own clicks pointing fingers at other people.

This has to stop and I can't figure out how to stop this train wreck.

Are petitions really worth it?

There have been a lot of petitions going around lately. I have had to ask myself are they really worth it? So we get a million signatures on a cyber piece of paper?  What does that mean?

Personally I do not think that it means a lot.  Everyone signing is in different areas and districts.  I think the best thing we can do for our industry is to contact our Senators and representatives and let them know how vaping has changed our lives.  Help them see how it has helped our economy.  When a vape store opens up it has helped fill a vacant space, thus the landlord is making more money. Many of these stores are privately owned, helping small business get started. Not to mention being able to buy products locally.

Another thing that is bad politically is the over exaggeration of some of these bills by the community. If I am understanding the latest one we need to act to move the grandfather date of ecigs. Yes this is very important as the newest things (most of our items) would then not be grandfathered in.  However it does not mean (from what i understand) that vaping would be "illegal" I have heard so many variations of the meaning behind this bill that I feel like I am playing the old rumor game.

The end of my rant. Become politically active and voice your opinion, just make sure you are going to be heard.

Vaping Grounds a true class act.

I had the great pleasure of going to a new shop on Saturday.  The Vaping Grounds.  First off it is a coffee / vape shop.  When you first walk in you see the pastries and coffee menu.  After you get a chance to look around you will see what a great class act this place is.

The employees dress up already giving it a very professional atmosphere.  Everything from the coffee area to juice bar is first class.

I think when this industry is so on the edge and many outsiders jump to give it a bad name, if more stores were classy like this one it would help change the attitude.

The party is over.

Well after months of planning the Orlando Convention is officially over.   I am very pleased with how this event went. Yes we hit a few bumps.  We tried to warn the hotel that the fire alarm was going to be an issue. Once it went off and we had to evacuate, we were allowed to let everyone in as quickly as possible, and they fixed the situation so that it didn't happen again.

I was expecting to hear a lot of complaining during this time, but everyone including the vendors seem to handle it well.

Space was of course an issue.  But trust me we looked all over Orlando and that was it.

Although crowded, I thought everyone had a great time and I have heard very little negative comments.

I am left wondering why people come if they just want free things.  Lets face it half the juice we get ends up to be something we don't like.

Isn't the point of these conventions to have some fun and see what products are available?

Anyway, I hope everyone is ready for April in Daytona because that one will be a lot bigger.

Orlando Vape Convention

As we are preparing the night before the convention, getting gift bags ready, and other odd and ends.  I am starting to wonder what people actually expect from conventions?  When I go  I enjoy looking at what is out there and new in hardware, seeing and tasting new juice lines.

What makes a convention a success?  We have 10,000 square feet and I think 30 vendors.  We tried hard to have a wide variety so that it isn't just juice vendors out there.  Space will be a problem as I know it will get clouded and crowded.

I hope everyone has a good time and the vendors have success.  This will be are first of many (hopefully) with the next big one in April.   I wish everyone luck and hope they have a good time.

Pineapple done right.

Always in search of the perfect pineapple as this is my "go to" flavor.  Somehow this bottle landed in my hands. Not sure how since I didn't buy it.  Got it in a trade I think. Now it saddens me that the bottle is empty. This is truly an AMAZING pineapple flavor with just a hint of caramel.  I  tend to find pineapple flavors either to strong or to weak.  Never right where I want it. This one is PERFECT!  I love to buy flavors from local stores and rarely order online as I like to give the support to local businesses.  I might just have to break my rule to find this one.  It is good to the last drop.

Cloud Comps are a big snore fest

Every weekend there is a vape meet in Orlando. Well almost every weekend. I enjoy going and seeing the many people I have met.  Of course it goes without saying the chance to win something is always fun.

Lately I find the cloud competitions to be a SNORE fest.  First you have the same group always competing and winning.   Second.  Stores always turn off the air.  This means I am sweating so that I can watch the same person from last week win a competition. Third.  How is this fair to those of us who don't compete?  I would love to win the grand prize.

Please consider this vendors...............................

Perhaps have your preliminary competition earlier in the day and video the event.  Then have the final two rounds live in the store.  This would lessen the amount of time watching and did I mention suffering and sweating while we watch the same people win.

Maybe some different areas of competition to get bigger groups involved.  Perhaps a womens event, or even over 40 years old for those of us old folks.

Something needs to be done in my opinion because it is really getting boring and stopping me from wanting to go to events.  I know I can't be the only one who feels this way.  Please leave a comment or like this blog post so that I know  I am not alone.