Tobacco Business

[ 12 ] TOBACCO BUSINESS [ JULY / AUGUST | 21 ] ‟Considering that TPE21 was the first major conference in our industry to be held in a convention center post-COVID, I was immediately impressed with all the COVID safety precautions that were in place to protect the attendees,” Bush shares. “I was able to find the booths and people that I needed to meet with quite easily as the floor was well-organized. Overall, I found TPE21 very exciting and engaging. When I got hurt while in Vegas and couldn’t walk to finish out my appointments, the TPE staff gave me a scooter to travel around in that helped me to finish handling my networking business.” Returning and many new exhibitors also chose to make TPE21 their first post-COVID business event. Among the new exhibitors this year was Caldwell Botanicals, a CBD company owned by Margaret Caldwell. Caldwell attended TPE20, where she networked and researched other CBD products. She made many connections at that show, including one with a company responsible for her product’s packaging. Like many, Caldwell had planned on attending other trade shows in 2020, all of which were cancelled due to the pandemic. When she learned that TPE would be holding an in-person event in 2021, she was excited about the opportunity to attend and also to exhibit her brand. She managed to book one of the last available booths and exhibited at TPE21, where she not was not only able to introduce her brand to new buyers but also make new connections that will benefit her business for years to come. “This was the first show for many since the pandemic, and it was a fantastic experience, per usual,” Caldwell says. “I think that folks are eager to get back into the swing of things and get back to attending events. TPE seems like they took one for the team in a sense by hosting the first show at the convention center since the pandemic. This gave other trade shows that will be taking place this summer the ability to see how these in-person events are going to look post-pandemic. People are ready to get back to in-person events, and I think that considering the circumstances, TPE had a great turnout. I am grateful that I got to be a part of it, and I am looking forward to TPE22!” Another first-time exhibitor at TPE21 was Aric Bey, owner of Black Star Line Cigars. “I thought TPE was a great event. As my first trade show, I really didn’t know what to expect. Once I got there and saw the camaraderie between different companies and retailers, I knew it was a great move for us to be involved with TPE.” Christopher Moore, owner of Carolina Blue Cigars, felt TPE was better suited for his company. Originally, he had planned to release new cigars during the event, but when it was rescheduled to May, he released them earlier in the year and used the in-person event to promote them. Other companies also used TPE21 to roll out new releases: Aganorsa Leaf introduced Lunatic Habano Hombre Libre; All Saints Cigars showcased Dedicación Mitre, a cigar rolled at Rocky Patel’s TAVICUSA, and St. Francis, a new regular line; Casa Cuevas debuted Patrimonio, a cigar inspired by Luis Cuevas Sr.; El Septimo used TPE to launch several new cigars and accessory items; Fratello released a new Fresh Pack; Altadis U.S.A. released H. Upmann 1844 Classic and Montecristo Epic Vintage 12; and Davidoff’s newly relaunched Zino brand was the centerpiece of its booth. After a year of product delays due to the pandemic, TPE21 served as the launchpad for new premium tobacco products that began shipping to retailers weeks after the show. Opportunity Abounds Retailers and other buyers came out to TPE21 for the new releases and to make new connections. Kathleen Kelly, owner of Queensbury Cigar & Pipe, attended this year’s show for the deals and to reconnect with sales representatives and vendors. She also wanted to meet with other retailers attending from New York in order to talk state-related matters with them. For tobacconist Brandon Frakes of Texas-based Industrial Cigar Co., TPE offered his store’s staff the chance to deepen relationships with manufacturers it already works with and to discover new brands to bring into their store. After show hours, retailers and manufacturers came together to socialize and talk business at the Sahara Las Vegas’ Casbar Lounge. The 2021 TPE represented the start of a new beginning. After 15 months of being apart, this was really the first time we could be together as an industry, and it was terrific. It was great to engage with customers as well as industry peers and for the first time in a long time feel a sense of normalcy. — Michael Herklots, Principal of Ferio Tego I thought TPE was a great event. As my first trade show, I really didn’t know what to expect. Once I got there and saw the camaraderie between different companies and retailers, I knew it was a great move for us to be involved with TPE. — Margaret Caldwell, Owner of Caldwell Botanicals Considering that TPE21 was the first major conference in our industry to be held in a convention center post-COVID, I was immediately impressed with all the COVID safety precautions that were in place to protect the attendees. — Temi Bush Partner at Emperors Cut Cigars