TOB Magazine

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EEach day, those who have a tobacco business are faced with the task
of recreating their visions and reinventing their brands and companies
to help them both move forward. The fear of stagnation and a loss
of inspiration is what keeps many motivated—the success of these
products and brands are your passion, your life and what inspires you to
wake up every day and live your dream. It’s too bad that in the pursuit
of success and entrepreneurship we have our dear friend, the U.S. Food
and Drug Administration (FDA), to also contend with.
Since the last issue of Tobacco Business, the FDA has issued a 90-day
extension for many of its compliance deadlines. This is a topic we’ve
been covering and reporting on extensively through
because we know how important FDA regulation is to many of you and
how it’s changing how we all do business. This extension was brought on
by the change in administration and the FDA needing additional time
to review and respond to the lawsuit brought on by the International
Premium Cigar & Pipe Retailers Association (IPCPR), Cigar Rights
of America (CRA) and the Cigar Association of America (CAA). In
addition to maintaining innovation and creating something customers
and consumers will continue to buy, now we also have to work toward
compliance and meeting the standards set by the FDA—as if we needed
another challenge or obstacle in our daily grind.
Here’s the truth of the matter: The FDA may have changed how
many conduct business and it may have slowed new product releases,
but it hasn’t killed the entrepreneurial spirit. We saw it in full effect at
this year’s Tobacco Plus Expo (TPE) and expect to see it at this year’s
IPCPR show in just a few weeks. Manufacturers are continually working
on complying with the FDA’s deeming rules, but they aren’t closing up
shop and calling it a day by any means. To show that the premium cigar
and tobacco industry is very much alive and well, Tobacco Business has an
extra-special IPCPR show-themed issue for you this month.
This issue is jam-packed with editorial coverage from more than 13
different premium cigar and tobacco companies, including our cover
feature with entrepreneur and visionary, Jonathan Drew, president
and co-founder of Drew Estate and the recently launched John Drew
Brands. We have a special interview with Mark Pursell, CEO of the
IPCPR, where he discusses the current work and focus of the IPCPR
beyond the trade show. Our spirits writer, Nick Douglas, writes on
the timely topic of established heritage brands and why your store’s
humidor needs these cigars and products in stock. We also have a “Best
of Las Vegas” feature that includes inside information on where to
smoke so you can enjoy your favorite cigars after the IPCPR show or
during your next trip to Vegas.
Tobacco Businessand its parent company TobaccoMedia Group (TMG)
are serious about helping you stay ahead of the FDA and other challenges
your business will face. Our magazine and trade show, the TPE, provide
you with the information and resources needed to be successful in today’s
marketplace. Despite the FDA, we’re excited about what’s ahead. The
magazine is breaking barriers, and we’ve got some exciting things
planned for it and the TPE coming up—including the announcement
that Jonathan Drew himself will not only be at TPE 2018 but will be
our keynote speaker come January. Visit us at IPCPR Booth #2170 to
learn more about the magazine and TPE 2018 and how you can be part
of both. When it comes to helping you achieve success and navigate
through all the changes happening to our industry, we mean business.
Managing Director, Tobacco Business
PUBLISHER'S LETTER
Tobacco Business is published bimonthly at 9121 Anson Way, Ste. 200 #229 Raleigh, NC 27615. Printed in USA. Copyright 2017 by TBI, LLC. Subscription rate is $45.00/
year. Send paid subscriptions to Tobacco Business at same address as mentioned above. For reprint information, contact Lea Edmondson at 877-702-4427. Copying:
Permission is granted with users of the Copyright Clearance Center Inc. To photocopy any article, with the exception of those for which separate copyright ownership
is indicated on the first page of the article, provide a base fee of $1.25/copy. Tobacco Business International is a registered trademark of TBI, LLC. POSTMASTER:
Send address changes to Tobacco Business, 9121 Anson Way, Ste. 200 #229 Raleigh, NC 27615.
MAGAZINE
TOBACCO
BUSINESS
MAGAZINE
TOBACCO
BUSINESS
VOL20 NO4 ✶ JULY/AUGUST 2017
TMG INTERNATIONAL
Lea Edmondson, General Manager of Sales and Administration
TPEMANAGEMENT
Hilary Manning, Tradeshow Logic
Ellie Hanson, Trade Show Marketing & Operations Manager
TOBACCO BUSINESSMAGAZINE
9121 Anson Way, Ste. 200 #229
Raleigh, NC 27615
(800) 744-4427
MANAGING DIRECTOR Ben Stimpson
GENERAL MANAGER, SALES AND ADMIN. Lea Edmondson
EDITOR IN CHIEF Jennifer Gelfand
CONTRIBUTING EDITOR Renée M. Covino
DESIGN DIRECTOR Dana Collins
COPY EDITOR Hailey Hollister
DIRECTOR OF DIGITAL DESIGN, CONTRIBUTING EDITOR Antoine Reid
CIRCULATION MANAGER Keith Roos
A DIVISION OF KRETEK INTERNATIONAL, INC.
PRESIDENT AND CEO, KRETEK INTERNATIONAL Mark Cassar
CHIEF MARKETING OFFICER Jason Carignan
CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER Don Gormly
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We Mean Business