More than 60 of the industry’s leading vape businesses – including many UKVIA members – gathered at the ExCel Centre next to London’s Docklands for the prestigious World Vape Show.
Held over two days the event went far beyond a regular trade show to a celebration of how far the vaping sector has come in such a relatively short space of time.
Along with the opportunity to network and show off their latest products to the public, the event saw a number of industry debates which the UKVIA helped to organise covering topics as far ranging as how to tackle disinformation to ensuring access to tobacco harm reduction in healthcare.
As well as leading figures from the vaping industry a number of important regulatory partners joined the debates, including representatives from Trading Standards and the MHRA.
The UKVIA was in attendance for both days, speaking to industry figures, business owners and members of the public alike to underline its advocacy for vaping and demonstrate to potential members the benefits of joining.
The Association’s Director General, John Dunne, took part in several of the panel debates as both a moderator and contributor. He said: “To think how far this industry has come in just a few years, from being considered a fairly niche interest sector to being able to fill the ExCel in London with trade stands, is truly remarkable.”
He added: “After the last year of lockdowns and restrictions it was uplifting to be able to physically meet so many like-minded and positive people who are all contributing to the continued rapid growth of vaping and harm reduction here in the UK and worldwide.”