CPD at IPCPR 2016

31 Aug CPD at IPCPR 2016

We here at Cigar Package Design (CPD) cannot believe this year marks our 6th consecutive year attending the annual IPCPR trade show. Back in 2011, under the wings of Charlie Toraño and Toraño Cigars, we got a peek into our first IPCPR. A world of cigar packaging, printing techniques and design trends opened our eyes to endless creative possibilities. We’ve made the trip ever since and have made our presence felt over the years. Adding more clients and booth design recognitions along the way. In spite of this year’s looming FDA regulations to the cigar industry, everyone we spoke to, including ourselves; was eager to go to Las Vegas and put their best foot forward and launch their new cigar lines. And just like years past, it was time to roll up our sleeves, burn the midnight oil, and get booth designs out to production.

This year we welcome Mr. Reinier Lorenzo of HVC Cigars. Reinier reached out to us back in May of this year. He wanted CPD to design his 10’ x 10’ booth space for the trade show. Pressed for time, we recommended a light and easy to setup 10’ x 8’ fabric banner structure, which reinforced the company’s line of cigars and brand identity. We executed an effective design and layout of the banner for HVC Cigars. A line-up of their cigar bands was headed by the company’s logo, which created a great focal point, as well as a great back drop to the space. Reinier’s feedback was as we had expected “perfect I love it, lets move forward”.

This year we also welcome Mr. Danny Vazquez of Baracoa Cigar Company. We first met Danny back in 2014, when he reached out and asked CPD to create a logo/identity for Baracoa Cigar Co. Fast forward to 2016, Danny is launching ‘The Voyage’ at this year’s IPCPR trade show. ‘The Voyage’, manufactured at the La Aurora factory in Dominican Republic, has received early enthusiastic early feedback. Everything in life is about timing, back in May of this year, Baracoa Cigar Co. had everything in line to push ‘The Voyage’ into production and make a splash at this year’s show. Unfortunately for us, no concept had been drafted for ‘The Voyage’ and we had only a couple of weeks to design the logo, packaging, cigar bands and overall presentation of the brand. In record time, we created a concept and idea that celebrates the journey taken from all walks of life. The image and branding revolves a nautical theme, with elements of a navigational compass and rustic nautical charts/map.

In February of this year, we worked with Max Fernandez and the great folks at Casa Fernandez Cigars, and created a new print ad campaign. The new series of ads are now featured in Cigar Snob Magazine, and have received a warm welcome from fans throughout the U.S. We had a great photo shoot lead my photographer Osiris Ramirez at Casa Fernandez’s headquarter office in Miami, FL. We then used some portraits of master blender Arsenio Ramos, Paul Palmer-Fernandez and Max Fernandez to create large format graphics for their booth walls at this year’s IPCPR.

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.

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.

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.