THE CIGAR COUNTDOWN BEGINS
The IPCPR 2016 is just a few days away
Over 2,000 Cigar Retailers representing over 1,000 cigar shops in the U.S. and across the globe will merge together once again for The Cigar Convention better known in the industry as “The I.P.C.P.R.” the International Premium Cigar and Pipe Retailers Convention.
This year the 84th Annual Trade Show will be held at the Sands Exposition Hall at the Venetian in Las Vegas, Nevada. This is arguably the most important cigar trade show ever.
When the doors open on July 24th nearly 400 exhibitors will display thousands of new cigars for possibly the last time. Due to the new FDA deeming regulations on cigars, a manufacturer will have to jump through expensive hoops after August 8, 2016. This may result in a swan song for most manufacturers before such regulations will be imposed.
The IPCPR is not just a trade show, it is a trade group and a gathering for information including seminars that help cigar and pipe retailers survive in this ever-changing industry. One speaker will be Jon Taffer from the Spike TV show Bar Rescue and the new Hungry Investors show. A cigar smoker, Jon Taffer knows how to run a good bar but running a good cigar shop is not that different says Jon, and he will help retailer’s improve their game. Retailers will even get educated this year during lunch, as a new Lunchtime Learning Seminar will happen daily with industry leaders passing on valuable knowledge to attendees while they eat lunch. The Cigar Authority’s own David Garofalo, who is also a member of the IPCPR Board of Directors will take the stage on Wednesday at 12:30pm with a Retailers Best Practices Seminar that he will host with other prominent cigar shop owners.
It won’t be just all work and no play at this year’s IPCPR trade show, it never is, as lots of evening get-togethers will take place including the IPCPR Bash which features this year 80’s pop star Eddie Money who is best known for songs including Baby Hold On, Two Tickets to Paradise, Shakin’ and Take Me Home Tonight, just to name a few.
Watch for daily coverage and up to the minute news of what’s happening in the cigar world and what’s happening at IPCPR right here on The Cigar Authority.
