ETHA Returns to CHAMPS 2026: Raising the Bar for Kratom Extracts
What is CHAMPS and Why It Matters
If you’re in the smoke shop, convenience, or botanical wellness industry, you already know about the CHAMPS Trade Show, but if you don’t, here’s why it matters.
CHAMPS is one of the largest and most influential B2B trade shows in the United States for:
- Smoke shops
- Vape retailers
- Convenience stores
- Emerging wellness brands
It’s where retailers come to discover what’s next, and where brands prove they belong.
For the kratom industry, CHAMPS has become a central meeting ground for innovation, partnerships, and growth. It’s where relationships are built, distribution is secured, and reputations are made.
Last year, ETHA showed up strong and this year, we’re coming back with even more.
ETHA + Element 115: Bringing the Energy Back
At CHAMPS 2025, ETHA made noise, but not just with products, but with presence.
Alongside Element 115 Botanicals, we brought something completely different:
- A full skate activation
- High-energy engagement
- A brand experience people actually remembered
And we’re doing it again.
Expect:
- The return of the skate competition
- A bigger presence from Element 115 Botanicals
- More engagement, more energy, and more connection with retailers and distributors
Because at ETHA, we don’t just show up, we create momentum.
The Real Focus for 2026: Bulk Kratom Extracts Done Right
This year, however, our biggest focus is clear:
Fixing the kratom extract problem.
Let’s be honest about the current state of the market:
Too many brands:
- Promise a certain percentage
- Deliver inconsistent or underpowered material
- Lack real transparency
- Rely on middlemen with no accountability
That ends here.
ETHA’s Thailand Partnership: A New Standard
ETHA is proud to be one of the only U.S. manufacturers with a direct pipeline to premium kratom extracts from Thailand and that changes everything.
Here’s what that means for you:
- Direct sourcing NO unknown middle layers
- Consistent alkaloid profiles
- Lab-tested batches you can trust
- Reliable supply at scale
No more guessing.
No more hoping the spec sheet is accurate.
No more getting stuck with product that doesn’t perform.
If it doesn’t meet your specs ETHA stands behind it.
What Are Kratom Extracts (And Why Quality Matters)
Kratom extracts are concentrated forms of the plant, where key alkaloids, primarily mitragynine, are isolated and intensified.
They’re used to create:
- Mints
- Tablets
- Beverages
- Gummies
- High-performance formulations
Because extracts are concentrated, quality matters more than anything.
A small inconsistency at the extract level becomes a massive problem at scale:
- Inconsistent potency = inconsistent customer experience
- Poor purification = contamination risk
- Bad sourcing = lost trust
That’s why serious brands don’t gamble on extracts.
They demand:
- Verified potency
- Clean processing
- Transparent sourcing
- Reliable partners
That’s exactly what ETHA delivers.
No More Guesswork. Just Results.
At ETHA, we’ve built our reputation on quality, transparency, and consistency controlling the process from sourcing to final product to ensure every batch meets high standards.
Now, we’re bringing that same standard to ETHA bulk extracts.
This is the shift:
- From uncertainty → to verified quality
- From middlemen → to direct sourcing
- From promises → to proof
CHAMPS 2026
CHAMPS isn’t just another trade show it’s where the future of the industry takes shape.
And this year, ETHA is showing up with:
- Proven retail momentum
- A powerful brand presence with Element 115
- And a new standard for kratom extracts
If you’re attending CHAMPS 2026, come find us.
Let’s talk about how we can help you:
- Build better products
- Scale with confidence
- And finally eliminate the guesswork from extracts
CHAMPS 2026 POST-SHOW UPDATE
ETHA’s return to the 2026 CHAMPS Trade Show made one thing very clear: the industry is evolving fast. While kratom remains a major category and continues to drive strong consumer demand, it was no longer the sole center of attention this year.
Functional mushrooms, adaptogenic beverages, kava, kanna, and other plant-based wellness products took a major step into the spotlight, signaling a broader shift toward mood, energy, focus, and lifestyle-enhancement products across smoke shop and alternative retail channels. Retailers appeared more interested than ever in diversified wellness offerings that can complement or sit alongside traditional kratom products.
Another major topic throughout the show was the continued fallout surrounding 7-OH products. Despite growing scrutiny and backlash, 7-OH itself was not eliminated from the market entirely. Instead, many companies appear to be pivoting toward alternative compounds and synthetic analogs, including pseudoindoxyl-related products and other workaround formulations designed to operate in the gray areas of regulation.
The overall atmosphere at CHAMPS reflected an industry actively adapting in real time, while balancing consumer demand, regulatory uncertainty, and innovation at a pace we have never seen before.
Through it all, ETHA remained focused on what has always set us apart: transparency, science-backed manufacturing, and building long-term trust through high-quality, compliant botanical products.
Live Fully. Build Better. Partner with ETHA.
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