CHAMPS Florida Heads to Fort Lauderdale This November 17th – 19th
Enjoy sunshine, incredible products, and the networking opportunities taking you into 2027
A great trade show sends you home with more than a stack of business cards. It introduces you to products worth making room for, people worth staying in touch with, and ideas that change how you approach your business. In just a few short weeks, CHAMPS Florida brings those opportunities to the Broward County Convention Center in Fort Lauderdale, pairing three days of buying and discovery with innovative end CPG products, the American glass artistry, and industry education.
Taking place November 17th through the 19th in Hall B, CHAMPS Florida gives retail buyers a chance to step away from their daily routines and enjoy a workcation while focusing on what comes next in the industry. Whether the goal is finding a fresh supplier, strengthening an existing relationship with a brand, or spotting something customers will stop to examine, this is the last show of the year so there is no better time to lock in and go into 2027 strong.
To make sure you hit the ground running, always check out CHAMPS Map. As last minute cancellations and placements can occur, you are always able view the live map at www.CHAMPSMap.com to make sure you have access to the latest information.
Make Time for the All-American Glass Section
For retailers who appreciate the difference a distinctive piece can make, the All-American Glass section belongs high on the itinerary. This is an opportunity to get close to American glass artistry, connect with makers, and consider standout pieces that could draw in customers looking for incredible artwork.
The CHAMPS Glass Games bring another reason to gather around the glass. Florida’s “Wet & Wild” competition puts a significant opportunity for glass artists on the line: the final entry into the 2027 CHAMPS Masters Competition in Las Vegas. The challenge is direct. One artist. One piece. Solo work only. Artists will bring the best Masters-quality piece they can make, with first place earning $1,000 and that coveted final Masters entry. Inspired by the old Florida water park, “Wet & Wild” carries the promise of something unexpected around the bend. For attendees, it is a chance to see what artists bring when the stakes are personal and the opportunity is substantial. Make this part of your show-floor plans. Whether you follow competitive glass closely or simply appreciate ambitious work, the contest offers a compelling look at individual creativity. Someone will leave Florida with a prize, a Masters berth, and a new chapter ahead.
The artists will not be the only people with something to play for. CHAMPS Florida also has activities designed to give attendees a chance to jump in and enjoy themselves between business conversations.
“Cruising the Port” invites visitors to the RC Racetrack, where the choice is yours: grip the turns or let it drift. It is a welcome excuse to take a break, share a laugh, and see who can handle the course.
Then there is “The Prize is Wrong Bob,” an attendee favorite where everyone is a winner. The higher your score, the better your prize, and participation is free. The All-American Glass Section is a MUST STOP for all show attendees.
November 18th Puts Education on the Schedule
Day two brings a dedicated opportunity to step back from the buying floor and consider the bigger picture. On November 18, two seminars will take place in Room 209, Palm A & B, just upstairs from the show floor.
First, join CHAMPS Trade Shows Health and Wellness Director Hal Lewis for “The Wellness Shift,” running from 1 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. The session will examine new legal products, retail opportunities, and what deserves buyers’ attention as they explore the show. For retailers assessing an evolving category, the value starts with asking better questions.
The afternoon continues from 3 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. with “Federal Advocacy: Facts & Outcomes,” presented by the American Healthy Alternatives Association and the Florida Healthy Alternatives Association. This is your go-to source for what is coming down the pipeline in terms of the new Farm Bill update, and what you can still do to protect your business.
Together, the sessions make November 18 a day to plan deliberately. Visit priority exhibitors earlier, allow time to head upstairs, and give both conversations your attention. Products may draw you onto the floor, but a broader understanding of the industry can help shape what you do when you return to your store.
Retail Buyers: Register Before You Travel
Ready to make the trip? Begin at the CHAMPS new-buyer registration page and follow the instructions provided there to get registered as a retail buyer.
Handle registration early enough to give yourself time to review any requested information and organize your travel. With that step underway, you can turn your attention to the floor map, the seminar schedule, and the exhibitors you most want to meet.
It also helps to arrive with a few clear buying objectives. Perhaps you need a new glass source, want to explore a developing category, or hope to reconnect with suppliers. A focused list gives your conversations substance while keeping the visit manageable. You do not need every purchase decided in advance; you need a useful starting point.
Hotel Deals End November 2nd! Save with CHAMPS
The show experience can extend beyond the convention center. The Hilton Marina Fort Lauderdale, the official hotel of CHAMPS Ft. Lauderdale, offers a place to settle in and stay connected to the scene. Located just a short walk from the convention center, the hotel pairs convenient access to the event with marina views and opportunities to catch up after hours. It is a setting for continuing a promising conversation, reconnecting with industry friends, or taking a moment to sort through the day’s discoveries.
Rates start at $209 per night, plus a $15 daily resort fee. To arrange your stay, use the CHAMPS Hilton Marina booking link.
Keeping your hotel close to the event helps the trip feel cohesive. There is time for focused business during the day and a change of pace afterward, with Fort Lauderdale providing the backdrop. Book your room as part of your show planning so you can arrive ready to make the most of the visit.
Make Your November Count
CHAMPS Florida brings several reasons to Fort Lauderdale, and the strongest visit makes room for all of them. Walk the floor with buying goals. Explore the All-American Glass section with an open mind. Watch an artist claim the final Masters spot. Head upstairs for the November 18 seminars, and take a turn at the games.
From November 17–19, Hall B of the Broward County Convention Center will be the place to connect those experiences. Register, review the map, and book your stay. Then bring your questions, your curiosity, and your eye for something customers will remember. Visit CHAMPS Trade Shows for more information.
