CPD AT TPE2020

22 Feb CPD AT TPE2020

The Tobacco Plus Expo (TPE) 2020 Trade Show took place in Las Vegas Nevada from January 29 to January 31 in Las Vegas, Nevada at the Las Vegas Convention Center. With a much more broader scope in products than the PCA trade show, TPE has positioned itself as a major tobacco/vape/alternative trade show of the calendar year.

After having attended seven IPCPR (PCA) trade shows in the past, for the first time this year, we at Cigar Package Design made our way to TPE 2020. We, like many others who attended the show for the first time, did not know what to expect, as far as retailer and exhibitor attendance. Essentially, TPE 2020 was two trade shows under one roof. On one side of the hall were the tobacco exhibitors while on the other side were the vape, CBD, and alternative products.

We were on-hand to creatively assist our client, Villiger Cigars North America, with their booth setup and participation at TPE 2020. We designed a 30ft by 20ft booth for Villiger, which turns out is the largest booth space the company has ever done TPE. Booth construction, setup and breakdown was handled by the great folks at Gloval Displays.

This year’s booth design drew inspiration from the massive booth Villiger puts up at InterTabac, a European cigar trade show held in Dortmund, Germany every year during the month of September. The main focus of the booth this year revolved around the launch of Villiger’s new Brazilian Puro cigar line, Villiger Do Brasil. The booth was anchored by Villiger’s new corporate logo icon, oversized hanging banner and tropical green graphics which highlighted both the Maduro and Claro lines of the Villiger Do Brasil. Additional complimentary graphics included a line-up of Villiger’s top rated cigars, the trio of Villiger Exports and a photo of Mr. Heinrich Villiger alongside a tobacco farmer down in Brazil, where the new Villiger Do Brasil is made.

The show was filled with parties, award ceremonies and educational sessions, but above all, it’s always great to spend time and catch up with friends and colleagues who make up with wonderful industry. Villiger Cigars hosted and sponsored Tobacco Plus Expo’s “All Industry Party” and Club 101 inside The Sahara Hotel, in Las Vegas. According to Villiger Cigars North America president, Rene Castañeda, “We at Villiger Cigars are excited to be present at the 2020 TPE [Show]. We look forward to making our brand presence felt at the All Industry Party, and invite our friends, colleagues, media, and customers to what will be the biggest TPE show yet.”

The third annual Tobacco Business Awards ceremony were held at an exclusive invite-only event also at Club 101, located within the Sahara. Close to 300 premium tobacco retailers, manufacturers and media were in attendance. Villiger Cigars walked away with the prestigious ‘Hugo Chairman Award’ awarded to the company’s chairman of the board, Mr. Heinrich Villiger. The awards were designed to recognize exceptional and outstanding entrepreneurs, businesses and brands operating within the cigar industry.

On the last day of the show, Villiger Cigars also sponsored the educational session “Tobacco Retail Rebooted: Jumpstart and Rejuvenate Your Retail Operation”, moderated by Dave Garofalo. Panelists included Amy Tejada, Wayne Anstead and Paul Copeland and the focus of the seminar revolved around how to market, merchandise and promote your retail operation to drive customers into your store and increase profits. The new Villiger Do Brasil Maduro and Claro cigars were given to everyone in attendance.

As we wrapped up TPE 2020 and got ready to head back home to Miami, we couldn’t help help but to feel really optimistic about the overall experience at the show. Certainly Ben Stimpson, Antoine Reed and everyone a TMG worked really hard to feel everyone welcomed. They walked the floor each day and made sure everyone was well taken care of and addressed any issues quickly. As for booths, although most cigars companies had a small footprint, with the exception of Villiger, Perdomo, Drew Estate and Phillips and King. Most companies had a simple table and backdrop, while the rest took advantage of shared spaces called cigars pavilions, were a small cabinet display bared the company’s logo. We at Cigar Package Design are certainly looking forward to attending TPE2021 and creating more amazing booths, graphics and packaging for our loyal clients.

TPE is put together and hosted by Tobacco Media Group (TMG), which is a subsidiary of Kretek International with a focus on media and events. Kretek is a corporate entity that focuses on tobacco and alternative products. One of Kretek’s subsidiaries is Phillips & King (a distribution company) and Ventura Cigar Company (a premium cigar company).

For more information on TPE2021, visit https://tobaccoplusexpo.com