Vapouround magazine Special Issue 02 | Page 116

EVENTS Vapitaly 2016 came just six months after the first Vapitaly expo in November last year and what a difference those six months have made. Once again we were media partners with the show and it was a fantastic show to be part of. Some said that the 5,000 visitors to the first show was partly due to its novelty factor but with twice the floorspace this time round and with more than 8,000 visitors through the doors, this was nothing to do with novelty at all. Vapitaly has shown that the country has a thriving and growing vaping community and Vapitaly President Mosè Giacomello said he was “more than pleased” with the reaction to the show which was beyond his expectations. He said: “I see an increase in interest about vaping and also a greater awareness of the positive features of vaping. “We can only look with optimism to 2017 and thank all the participants from Italy and abroad, who have confirmed the opening and the international importance 114 VAPOUROUND MAGAZINE USA of this fair." For our part we took 500 copies of the magazine to the show and we gave them out to visitors to our stand. There was so much interest that no sooner had we filled the magazine display stands than they would be empty once again. I would describe the show as the most organised event we have been to (and we have been to quite a few vaping events over the past year). The organisers gave us a huge stand with sofas and the huge Vapouround Magazine logo on the wall was also a really nice touch. This was also one of the busiest shows we had been to and on the consumer days it was so busy that at times it was difficult to walk through the aisles. Many of the companies exhibiting at the show went all out to impress and there were some really amazing stands and also amazing live music which really added to the atmosphere. The main sponsors Puff Cigarettes was probably the most impressive stand I have ever seen with a huge stage and a “WE CAN ONLY LOOK WITH OPTIMISM TO 2017 AND THANK ALL THE PARTICIPANTS FROM ITALY AND ABROAD, WHO HAVE CONFIRMED THE OPENING AND THE INTERNATIONAL IMPORTANCE OF THIS FAIR.” massive video wall at the back. This was literally impossible to miss and proved a huge draw for the crowds of visitors from start to finish. This was a really enjoyable experience for us to be back in Verona and while it was freezing in November, we enjoyed beautiful weather this time around. Often we go to shows where there is chaos and a lack of organisation but this really has been the most well-organised show we have been to so massive congratulations to everyone concerned. There are already plans for a third show to be held in May next year and we can’t wait to see what that will bring.