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As we gear up for another memorable spring, I can’t help but
notice that there is a huge comradery and togetherness vibe
amongst everyone in the tobacco industry. Sometimes we are
so blinded by everything happening in our day to day lives
that we forget about taking time out to really enjoy our favorite
cigar, pipe tobacco, vape juice or finest malt beverage to ac-
company the mood. If we decide to take that time and spend it
with our peers, family or friends, then the rest of the year will
only get better.
Of course, with new life that blooms every spring, we some-
times have to say goodbye to friends, family or industry greats
who changed the world we live and work in every day. Don
Bores, creator of
Tobacco Business
magazine and NATO, passed
away at the end of 2016. Don had a vision of creating a way to
help bring retailers and manufacturers together, with a deter-
mination to help the industry sell and enjoy tobacco products.
We also saw the passing of the legend that was Avo Uvezian,
a huge figure in the premium cigar industry who helped build
the AVO brand, part of the Davidoff family.
If you attended this year’s TPE Show, you’d be among the
many to realize that vapor doesn’t appear to be going any-
where anytime soon, despite government efforts and ordi-
nances. The vapor industry is filled with innovators, forward
thinkers and entrepreneurs who have valuable business lessons
to share across all tobacco categories. From E-Alternative
Solution’s Jacopo D’Alessandris to other business leaders like
VMR CEO Jan Verleur and premium e-liquid manufacturer
Rodney Jerabek. In addition to these stories, we have a great
look at premium tobacco company Villiger, a company that’s
been in business for well over 100 years, making great hand-
made and machine-made cigars, as well as pipe tobacco. If
pipes are more your thing, you’ll enjoy getting expert mar-
keting tips from STG Lane’s Leonard Wortzel and Smoking-
pipes.com’s Ted Swearingen.
Just as spring is a time for growth and celebrating all things
new, take this as an opportunity to renew your business goals.
What do you want to accomplish, what are your profit targets
and what are some possible new revenue streams? Whatever
you want to accomplish in 2017, know that
Tobacco Business
is
going to continue to grow and become an indispensable source
of great information to help you reach that next level. As al-
ways, we want to know how to help you. Please reach out with
any questions, concerns and ideas for how
Tobaccco Business
and
next year’s TPE Show can help your business grow and pros-
per throughout the year.
Managing Director,
Tobacco Business
benstimpson@tobaccobusiness.comPUBLISHER'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
,
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.
MAGAZINE
TOBACCO
BUSINESS
MAGAZINE
TOBACCO
BUSINESS
VOL20 NO3
✶
MAY/JUNE 2017
TMG INTERNATIONAL
Lea Edmondson, General Manager of Sales and Administration
TPEMANAGEMENT
Hilary Manning, Tradeshow Logic
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
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Dana Collins
COPY EDITOR
Allie Spelman
DIRECTOR OF DIGITAL DESIGN
Antoine Reid
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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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