62
TOBACCO BUSINESS INTERNATIONAL
SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2014
O
n July 19 to 23 the International
Pipe and Cigar Premium
Retailers converged in Las
Vegas to attend the 82nd IPCPR
show at the Sands Expo Center. The
exhibitor directory listed 473 exhibiting
companies, primarily from the premium
cigar market. Pipe tobacco and tobacco
accessories, plus a handful of electronic
tobacco companies rounded out the
mix.
The show floor was sold-out,
stretching the limit of the Sands
venue. This show’s industry support
and extensive exhibit floor—which
paralleled that of Tobacco Plus
Convenience Expo, the largest OTP-
only show—suggest that the tobacco
industry remains a vital and exciting
place to hang one’s commercial hat,
despite its challenges and the FDA-
proposed additional regulations.
Having attended and observed the
IPCPR show for 20 years, I now expect
complaints about attendance—or the
lack thereof. Due to the size of this
market segment, 2,400 to 2,600 retail
company members, and the huge venue,
attendees get swallowed by the sheer
size of the event. Exhibit spaces range
from single 10-foot-by-10-foot booths
to one that encompasses sixty 10-foot-
by-10-foot booths equivalent to two
large premium tobacco stores. While
perceived attendance is an indicator
of show vitality, an unaccounted for
metric is the time spent shopping
by the attendees. More time spent
shopping relates to more business being
done. Better understanding requires
drilling down and listening to exhibitor
response. When asking, “How’s the
show?” in the heat of the activity, the
truth requires a gut indicator. A Kenny
Rodgers line is reminiscent: “Don’t
count your money while you’re sitting
at the table.” And many can’t or won’t
give a definitive answer.
Overall, the show was another good
outing for the exhibitor community. As
a small Miami-based cigar producer and
marketer put it, “This is my best selling
show in the many years I’ve exhibited.”
A medium-sized cigar company opined,
“There’s nobody here, but I’m doing
business.” His booth was busy and
his staff was writing orders. Another
tobacco company senior executive
dubbed it “a good show.”The president
of a giant cigar company reported, “We
always do well at this show. It serves
to reinforce the relationships we have
established over many years.”
The IPCPR event plays to a tight
cadre of premium tobacco exhibitors
and attendees. It’s not an exaggeration
to suggest that everyone knows
everyone there. More than just a trade
show, it’s a happening family reunion.
The difference here, if you’ve ever been
to a family reunion, is that everyone is
polite to one another and has a good
time. The IPCPR show, at 82, is still
going strong.
TBI
By Ed O’Connor
Premium Tobacco’s
Bazaar
Once again, the annual IPCPR show
drew hundreds of attendees.
