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One of the things I have realized, as have many of us, is that
when you want something in business or in life it’s not always as
easy to achieve as some people make us feel it will be. It can be
far more challenging. However, I have found that if you apply
the right business strategies and remain consistent and disci-
plined, you have a much better chance at succeeding.
When there's as much change in the tobacco industry as we
face today, reaching your business goals tends to be more dif-
ficult. What steps can we take as managers, business owners,
CEOs and entrepreneurs to diversify our businesses so that we
are not so dependent on the boom-and-bust cycle?
A few weeks ago, we held our annual TPE show in Las Ve-
gas—and what a tremendous show it was. The latest premium
cigars, vapor and alternative products were showcased over the
two-day show, while vendors and attendees came together to
kick off what will be a successful 2017. The feedback we re-
ceived from the show’s attendees and exhibitors has been very
positive, including several vendors who reported making record
sales at this year’s show.
What made TPE 2017 such a success? The people. We had
an amazing TMG marketing team, led by Ellie Hanson, as
well as the support of Chris Price and his team over at Trade
Show Logic. Everyone worked together behind the scenes,
with one common goal, to create an amazing experience and
provide a safe place for attendees and exhibitors to have fun
and do business all under one roof. Ellie spearheaded the mar-
keting campaign that reached vendors and retailers on a huge
scale. Social media, email and digital marketing and advertis-
ing all played a big part in our overall success. Of course, prod-
ucts are a hugely important piece of the puzzle and ultimately
determine the success you have, but if you employ great people
and build a great team anything is possible. We also need oth-
er ingredients like goals, focus, great attitudes and ideas, but a
great team is essential to making it work.
We’d like to encourage you to make plans now to attend next
year’s TPE show, to be held January 31-February 1, 2018. We’ve
got a great recap and overview of this year’s show in this issue
of
Tobacco Business
(See page 26). Also, this issue focuses on some
unsung heroes in the tobacco industry—the retailers who are
the much-needed connection between the manufacturers and
consumers. From the reveal of our annual Top 50 on page 12
to an insightful interview with tobacco retailer Richard Hoyt
on page 20, our goal is to show you the people who don’t often
enough get the recognition and accolades they deserve. This
issue also provides a look at Davidoff Cigars, a company that’s
helped define the premium cigar business both here in the U.S.
and abroad. President of Davidoff North America, Jim Young,
who’s also on the cover of this issue, tells you how Davidoff went
from a single retail store to a company with numerous cigar
brands and retail stores spread across the globe (See page 44).
I would love to hear from you and gain your feedback about
the TPE show and our magazine.
Please email me on
benstimpson@tobaccobusiness.comPUBLISHER'S LETTER
Motivate
and conquer
Tobacco Business
is published bimonthly at 4441 Six Forks Road, Suite 106-107, Raleigh, NC 27609. Printed in USA. Copyright 2017 by TBI, LLC. Subscription rate is
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MAGAZINE
TOBACCO
BUSINESS
MAGAZINE
TOBACCO
BUSINESS
VOL20 NO2
✶
MARCH/APRIL 2017
TMG INTERNATIONAL
Lea Edmondson, General Manager of Sales and Administration
TPE & VEI MANAGEMENT
Hilary Manning, Tradeshow Logic
TBI
ADVERTISING
5449 Endeavour Ct,
Moorpark, CA 93021
Phone: (805) 531-8888
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
Allie Spelman
DIRECTOR OF DIGITAL DESIGN
Antoine Reid
CIRCULATION MANAGER
Keith Roos
A DIVISION OF KRETEK INTERNATIONAL, INC.
PRESIDENT AND CEO, KRETEK INTERNATIONAL
Mark Cassar
CHIEF MARKETING OFFICER
Jason Carignan
CHEIF FINANCIAL OFFICER
Don Gormly
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