Total Product Expo (TPE) 2026: Utah Channel 3 Tech Coverage Heads to Las Vegas

December 12, 2025 Utah Channel 3

Friday, December 12, 2025

By Scott Kraft, Technology Producer – TechTalk, Richard Berk, Executive Producer

Your Utah Channel 3 team—Scott Kraft and Richard Berk—is excited to bring you comprehensive coverage of the Total Product Expo (TPE) 2026, the leading B2B trade show for independent convenience retailers, smoke shops, vape specialists, and alternative product businesses. The event runs March 31–April 2, 2026, at the Las Vegas Convention Center, following its evolution from the former Tobacco Plus Expo into a broader platform showcasing tobacco, vapor, cigars, alternatives, general merchandise, and emerging trends.

This fast-growing show attracts thousands of retailers, wholesalers, distributors, manufacturers, and industry insiders from across the U.S.—including a strong contingent from Utah—looking to discover profit-driving innovations, build networks, and stock shelves for the year ahead. For Southern Utah operators managing convenience stores, smoke shops, or growing vape and alternative retail in places like Cedar City, St. George, and beyond, TPE offers a prime opportunity to explore how technology is transforming the sector.

We’re concentrating on the technology side this year, as the industry rapidly adopts digital tools to boost efficiency, compliance, customer engagement, and profitability in a competitive landscape:

Advanced POS and Retail Management Systems: Cloud-based POS platforms tailored for high-volume, regulated environments feature real-time inventory tracking across multiple SKUs (vapes, accessories, tobacco, and merch), age-verification integration at checkout, and seamless online/in-store syncing. These systems reduce shrink through precise stock monitoring, enable dynamic pricing, and provide analytics on top sellers—helping Utah retailers optimize for seasonal tourism spikes and local demand.
Digital Age Verification and Compliance Tech: With strict regulations in Utah and nationwide, exhibitors showcase enhanced ID scanning, biometric options, and automated compliance logging that integrate with POS for faster, more accurate checks—minimizing risks and streamlining operations.
Smart Display and Inventory Solutions: IoT-enabled shelving, RFID tracking for high-value items, and automated reordering systems help prevent out-of-stocks while cutting manual counts. Connected coolers and humidors maintain optimal conditions remotely, ensuring product quality without constant oversight.
Customer Engagement and Marketing Tools: Mobile apps, loyalty platforms, and data-driven personalization allow retailers to send targeted promotions, track repeat purchases, and build customer profiles—driving higher average tickets and retention in community-focused Utah markets.
Payment and Security Innovations: Contactless, mobile wallet, and secure processing options reduce transaction times and fraud, while integrated analytics highlight trends for better buying decisions.

These technologies address real challenges for Utah businesses: navigating state-specific rules on sales and advertising, managing inventory in remote or tourist-heavy areas, and competing with larger chains through smarter operations. TPE 2026 highlights how adopting these tools leads to measurable gains—lower labor costs, reduced waste, faster service, and stronger margins.

We’ll be on the show floor diving into live demos, education sessions, and hands-on exhibits focused on tech that powers modern retail. This is the place where independent operators discover scalable solutions to grow sustainably.

We’re fully credentialed and ready for in-depth reporting. Stay tuned for our on-site articles spotlighting the tech innovations that matter most to Utah’s convenience and alternative retail community. Whether you’re sourcing new lines or upgrading your store tech, TPE 2026 sets the stage for a stronger 2026.

Scott Kraft is the Technology Producer for Utah Channel 3. He is a degreed Electrical Engineer that applies engineering testing/procedures to products that are of technical interest to those participating in sporting activities in Southern Utah.

Richard Berk is the Executive Producer for Utah Channel 3. Richard’s field of expertise is the medical field and covers medical conventions when he is not producing Utah Channel 3 content. Richard also shares the passion of outdoor sports as do all members of BHTV.