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IPCPR CONCLUDES ON QUIET NOTE |
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Page 1 of 2  Trade show heads to New Orleans in 2009
Los Angeles, July 18 – The 76th International Premium Cigar & Pipe Retailers Association convention and trade show in Las Vegas ended on Thursday rather quietly. This year’s meetings and trade fair were busy, but did not have the sizzle of some past editions and there is concern over legislative hurdles and tax issues:
The impact of smoking bans hit home at this convention. The massive annual Altadis U.S.A. Retailer Appreciation Reception on Monday was a sumptuous affair (more on this below), but no smoking was allowed in the massive ballroom at The Venetian during the event!
The Nevada smoking ban ends the RTDA/IPCPR’s happy relationship with Las Vegas as smoking would not be allowed in future editions of the event held in the city. Las Vegas had been the site of five of the last 10 conventions and had been mentioned during that time as a possible permanent host. No more.
IPCPR’s federal lobbyists, Jim Christian of Patton Boggs and Paul Snyder of Public Strategies–Washington, addressed the IPCPR’s annual meeting and noted that the State Children’s Health Insurance Program (SCHIP) legislation is likely to be re-introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives in the September-October timeframe. At present, it appears that the result will be the same as before: successful passage in the House and Senate, a veto by U.S. President George W. Bush and an unsuccessful override attempt. However, House and Senate Democrats are, according to Christian and Snyder, primarily interested in making political points with voters by having Republicans on the record as voting against it.
On the floor, some new trends in sizes were seen. Almost everyone is introducing a 60-ring gauge size, with the favored length at six inches, essentially a super-sized Toro. Why? “It sells,” said General Cigar’s Bill Chillian. “Retailers are asking for it.” Some manufacturers are introducing this size as a torpedo – with a pointed head – to make it easier for smokers to hold in their mouths.
Also making a comeback is the long panatela of about seven inches and 38 ring gauge. Called by many names in the past, the current reference name is “Lancero,” which also happens to be the name of the similarly-sized cigar in the Cuban Cohiba line (7 1/2 inches by 38 ring); however, the actual Cuban factory name of this size is the “Numero Uno” or No. 1, made famous by the Davidoff No. 1 size created in 1970.
Oliva’s wild Nub series featuring short cigars of 3 1/2-4 inches and ring gauges from 54-66 is having an impact. At least one new brand with sizing of similar dimensions was seen on the floor and sales of Nub are being monitored by other makers who are deciding whether to introduce a similar line.
Distribution arrangements are shifting for some noteworthy brands with larger distributions picking up more well-known lines for their portfolios:
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