CPD at IPCPR 2015
Paul Palmer, Max Fernandez-Pujals and Master Blender Arsenio Ramos
For the fifth consecutive year Cigar Package Design attended the International Premium Cigar & Pipe Retailers (IPCPR) Association Trade Show and Convention. For the past five years we have been committed to supporting our clients on the trade show floor, and this year was no exception. We are proud and fortunate to be working with Duran Cigars, Flor de Gonzalez Cigars and La Rosa de Sandiego Cigars on creative booth visuals, packaging, brand identity, etc. Aside from the work, it’s great seeing friends and colleagues whom we work hard with all year long to make this show happen. The show took place during July 17-21, 2015 at the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center in New Orleans, LA.
Above: Roberto Pelayo Duran, Miguel Schoedel, Jack Torano, Carolee Martin, Frank Cuden & David Law
After winning the “2014 Best In Show Award for New Exhibitor” for their 20ft by 20ft booth last year, Duran Cigars increased their booth size to a 20ft by 30ft space, allowing us more creative space and freedom. We made layout changes to make better use of the larger space. We created new graphics to showcase new releases. But certainly the highlight of the show was the new branding for Duran Cigars. Although the new name and logo can be seen on new marketing materials, it is the IPCPR Trade Show that marked the big unveiling on the new name. We appreciate the level of confidence Duran Cigars has in us. We have worked hard over the past three years with Roberto Pelayo Duran and will continue to do. Roberto and his staff had their best IPCPR this year, and we have a feeling the best is yet to come.
Above: Flor de Gonzalez’s booth at IPCPR 2015
This year, we’re also thrilled to be working with Yadi Vargas-Gonzalez and the rest of the crew at Flor de Gonzalez Cigars. Before the trade show, Yadi reached out to us with a tight deadline to create a print ad slated for the June/July 2015 issue of Cigar Snob Magazine. With very little materials to work with, we set out to create a company branding/teaser ad. In record time, we created a strong ad which set the stage to mention their “20 Aniversario” release at IPCPR. We then created a 20ft wide by 10ft tall backdrop visual for their booth space. Main graphic featured both the Connecticut and Maduro blends of the new “20 Aniversario” release, while also highlighting the rest of the company’s line extensions. We look forward to the work ahead.
Above: Felipe Sosa and Damian Tapanes of La Rosa de Sandiego Cigars
Another IPCPR 2015 project we enjoyed working on was “La Rosa de Sandiego Cigars”. When long time friends, Master Cigar Roller Felipe Sosa and Damian Tapanes called about the project, we jumped in head first. This cigar is being launched by America Caribbean Cigars, out of Esteli, Nicaragua; and is one of those projects where we had the opportunity to created everything from scratch. Logo, cigar band and package design were just some of the items created prior to IPCPR. We are excited to continue the friendship while strengthening the business relationship and respect we have for one another. La Rosa de Sandiego Cigars is now ready to make its presence felt in humidors everywhere.
Every year, more and more people trust us with their projects, and is our goal to deliver quality work every time. In the end, we’re not out to make a quick buck, but rather continue to friendships that will allow both client and CPD to grow. With IPCPR 2015 in the books, we look forward to the next trade show in Las Vegas and the opportunities that lay ahead.
Above: Flor de Gonzalez 20′ x 10′ booth at this year’s IPCPR in Las Vegas
For the second year in a row, we have the privilege of working with Ms. Yadi Gonzalez-Vargas, from Flor de Gonzalez (FDG) Cigars. This year we designed a graphic back drop for their booth space. We created a light and easy to setup 10’ x 8’ fabric banner structure, which reinforced the company’s other line of cigars, with a spotlight on their ’20 Aniversario’ signature blend. We executed an effective design and layout which pulled the entire 20’ x 10’ booth floorplan together. We also designed the logo, cigar band and packaging of their highly anticipated ’90 Millas’ cigar lines, which launched at this year’s trade show.
Above: American Caribbean Cigars’ 20′ x 30′ booth at this year’s IPCPR in Las Vegas
Also for the second year in a row, we get to work with Mr. Damian Tapanes, from American Caribbean Cigars (ACC). This year ACC went big with a 20’ x 30’ booth that housed four cigar brands: 1) La Rosa de Sandiego, 2) Don Gonzalez Cigars, 3) Tabacosta Cigars and 4) Cordoba & Morales. A design and floorpan layout was created in order to maximize the space, while giving each cigar line/brand their own area to shine. A 16’ tower graphic stood tall at the center of the floorplan and helped tie the booth space together. We look forward to helping ACC stand out once more at next year’s IPCPR in Las Vegas.
Above: Duran Cigars’ 20′ x 30′ booth at this year’s IPCPR in Las Vegas
We’ve been working with Mr. Roberto P. Duran of Duran Cigars since 2013. At the 82nd annual IPCPR trade show in 2014, our booth design won ’Best In Show for New Exhibitor’, a recognition we’re extremely proud of. This year, our booth design and approach combines a warm color palette, original and lifestyle images that showcased the art and craftsmanship of cigar making and manufacturing, all anchored by a 16-ft. tower that stands tall in the middle of the booth. In addition, four large display cabinets with custom graphics were positioned around the booth to display product plus served as storage space. In addition to the booth design and layout, we created packaging for the ’Azan Blue Connecticut’, ’Neya Texas Tactical’, ’NicaTabaco Blend No.5 Connecticut’ and a new ‘5-cigar sampler pack’ for Duran Cigars – all new releases at this year’s IPCPR.
So whether is your first year at the show, or the sixth like us, our goal is the same – Creating great work is not complicated, it’s simple. We work smart (and hard), play nice, and make our clients look good. So give us a shout out and let us know how we can help you get ready for next year’s show.