Tobacco Business

[ 12 ] TOBACCO BUSINESS [ MAY / JUNE | 21 ] W PUBLISHER’S LETTER MAGAZINE TOBACCO BUSINESS VOL24 NO3 ✶ MAY /JUNE 2021 MANAGING DIRECTOR Ben Stimpson GENERAL MANAGER, CIRCULATION AND ADMINISTRATION Lea Edmondson SENIOR EDITOR AND DIGITAL DIRECTOR Antoine D. Reid ART DIRECTOR Harrison Brackett COPY EDITOR Stephanie Banfield CONTRIBUTORS Thomas Briant Craig Williamson Storm Boen TOBACCO PLUS EXPO MANAGING DIRECTOR Ben Stimpson TRADE SHOW DIRECTOR Ellie Hansen TMG SALES MANAGER Dawn Conger DIGITAL MARKETING MANAGER Brian Rodak TRADE SHOW OPERATIONS & LOGISTICS MANAGER Scott Gibson SENIOR GRAPHIC DESIGNER Rachel Esteffe TMG SALES ASSOCIATE Carly Gegorek TOBACCO BUSINESS MAGAZINE 8305 Six Forks Road Suite 203 Raleigh, NC 27615 A DIVISION OF KRETEK INTERNATIONAL, INC. CHAIRMAN Hugh Cassar PRESIDENT AND CEO Sean Cassar CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER Don Gormly We are back, and it’s with resolve and resilience that we welcome you to our TPE21 show issue! And yes, this year’s show will be the same world-class event you’ve come to expect year after year, with thousands of products and buyers, show deals and experiences. As the first trade show to take place in Las Vegas since COVID-19, we are bringing the party, the celebration and the business back to Las Vegas. What you might not know, however, is that TPE21 is happening because of the talent and determination of the team I’m proud to lead. First of all, we knew the data and respected the science in Nevada, and we worked tirelessly with every level of government—all the way to the office of Governor Steve Sisolak—to create a plan that will take every precaution in order to ensure all health protocols are enforced and to utilize every measure to help keep attendees and exhibitors safe and healthy throughout the event. Steve Hill, president and COO of the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority, and his crew continue to be incredible allies in making sure TPE21 is the best event it can possibly be, but Steve and the Authority were also particularly beneficial in the beginning phases to help us navigate our way through a new process. I would like to give a particular thank you to my team and all the exhibitors, buyers and attendees who believed in us and had faith in TPE21, which will be the first convention in Las Vegas since COVID-19 struck, and I’m proud to say we’re the team to do it—to bring business back to Vegas and help us all get back to normal. In some way, we have all had to pivot and learn new ways to run our businesses. This determination and resolve has opened new doors and created new opportunities for us all to embrace change. And that is what this issue of Tobacco Business is all about: embracing change. On the cover we have Dylan Austin, President of Davidoff of Americas, who talks about the idea that we need to use change to our advantage and build new experiences around the brands we represent—and I couldn’t agree more. In business, it’s easy to convince ourselves that what we’re chasing is stability and predictability, but the truth is a lot more exciting: Without disruptive changes, we can’t grow as people, and companies do not realize their full potential. Embracing change means you get to avoid burnout and routine. If you haven’t given it an honest try, changing just one small part of what you do on a daily basis can leave you feeling invigorated and inspired to bring even more changes in the name of efficiency. So, let’s get back to business and have an amazing TPE21 show—one that will be safe, exciting and fun. I look forward to seeing you all May 12 to May 14 in Las Vegas! If you have any questions, please reach out to me at benstimpson@tobaccobusiness.com , and check out tpesafe.com for all the latest information and details on TPE21. Tobacco Business is published bimonthly at 8305 Six Forks Road, Suite 203, Raleigh, NC 27615 Printed in USA. Copyright 2021 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 , 8305 Six Forks Road, Suite 203, Raleigh, NC 27615 . The Resolve to Bring TPE Back to Vegas The Team Ben Stimpson, Managing Director, TMG International