Cigar Weekly

ronin · 01-10-2020, 08:51 AM

https://halfwheel.com/altadis-davido...de-show/370803

TommyBB · 01-10-2020, 08:56 AM

Just coming to post this.
It is HUGE.

Quote:

Four of the largest cigar companies have announced they will not be exhibiting at the upcoming 2020 PCA Trade Show & Convention, formerly known as the IPCPR Convention & Trade Show.

Altadis U.S.A., Davidoff of Geneva USA, Drew Estate and General Cigar Co. will not have booths due to a number of issues, primarily the declining direction of the trade show, specifically the declining attendance, the increased costs of exhibiting and the Premium Cigar Association’s (PCA) response to those trends.

Those four companies are believed to not only be the four largest premium cigar companies doing business in the U.S, but also the four largest in terms of their trade show presence. Together, the group had 27,500-square-feet of booth space at the 2019 IPCPR Convention & Trade Show, or 18.17 percent of the trade show floor. Furthermore, the companies are also major contributors to the trade show’s top-line revenue in other ways: General Cigar Co. has been the sponsor of the kick-off party, Davidoff sponsors the hotel room key cards, Drew Estate buys large amounts of signage and Altadis U.S.A. has sponsored the state association breakfast. In total, those sponsorships alone provided over $100,000 annually to the PCA.

Quote:

The companies have raised concerns about the structure of the trade show in nearly every facet: the time of year it takes place, its size, its format, i.e. a trade show centered around sales, and the economics behind it. Some of that includes the economics of the PCA itself, an organization that is controlled exclusively by retailers, but funded primarily by manufacturers, namely through its trade show.

“PCA needs to commit to genuine engagement with the industry it purports to represent and provide seats with decision making and voting authority to the up and coming retail leaders of the future, manufacturers, and other key stakeholders so that together this group can work in lockstep to arrest the deterioration of the trade show, take actions that make the show valuable and relevant again, as well to transform the trade association in a way that meets the needs of all stakeholders in the premium cigar industry,” said Glenn Wolfson, Drew Estate’s ceo, in an email to halfwheel.

SLR · 01-10-2020, 09:01 AM

Wow, this is HUGE.

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

BigO · 01-10-2020, 09:18 AM

It really is. PCA severed ties with their lobbyist group a couple of weeks ago and now the show is going to be a fraction of the size.

TommyBB · 01-10-2020, 10:58 AM

Did we ever get Don's interview with Scott Pierce? Would be good to have it up and published.

BigO · 01-10-2020, 11:16 AM

There were a couple of attempts, but I never received it.

BigO · 01-10-2020, 06:05 PM

Dear PCA Member,

As you may have heard from today’s press releases, four companies announced they will not exhibit at PCA 2020. We want to assure you that the world’s biggest premium cigar and pipe show is on with over 110,000 square feet of space booked by hundreds of family-owned companies. The four companies not attending represent 12% of show space and, since the announcement, many exhibitors have reached out to PCA to secure booth space, potentially expand their footprint, or relocate to the vacated space.

The PCA 2020 show will be full, with the family-owned manufacturers who support the brick and mortar retailers and whose products fill our humidors. It is more important than ever that family-owned businesses that built this industry come together. This year, PCA 2020 will have some exciting new features to showcase new products and help retailers and exhibitors create and enhance relationships. We will be rolling out new information in the coming weeks and months on those developments.

The PCA trade show remains not only the most important business event in the premium cigar and pipe industry, but also our greatest asset in fighting back regulations on both state and federal levels. Your membership and attendance at the PCA trade show directly finances the industry’s legal challenges against the FDA. To date, along with our partners at Cigar Rights of America, we have spent a combined $4.5 million just on litigation against FDA regulatory oversight, not to mention the millions we spend every year on our legislative agenda. These efforts have benefited the entire industry.

Our biggest priority remains focused on keeping a pathway for new products to come to market. After years of fighting, we are making some incredible new head ways in achieving major regulatory relief for the industry. For any member who would like to get more involved in the PCA and in serving on a committee, please contact PCA Executive Director, Scott Pearce.

We thank you for your continued support and look forward to seeing you in Las Vegas this July at PCA 2020.

All the best,

PCA Board of Directors

mrdiver · 01-11-2020, 08:23 AM

This from Abe, the owner of Smoke Inn, a big retailed in south Florida:

Well I hate to say I called this one months ago....but I did. This is an epic tragedy for the organization no matter how they spin it. I remember my mentor Sal Fontana telling me about his early (RTDA back then) trade show stories where the whole show was a floor in a hotel, and instead of booths, manufacturers had Hotel Rooms. Retailers would just roam the floor going room to room. Then to grow as great as it did, just for this to happen now...is tragic. No other way to put it. Unfortunately, you CANT ignore obvious pains over the last decade plus. You can’t just assume things will always be as they are. Kodak thought that way, looked how that worked out for them. The organization lacked the leadership and vision to address THE real problems for many years now, so you really can’t be shocked about this news. When CIGARCON was announced, I said that within 3 years the PCA will get acquired by the TPE and there will be ONE big show for the Whole Industry. Mass Market & Premium. That scenario is looking more prominent than ever. While I can’t say I’m shocked, I’m deeply saddened by this news and what it may mean for one of the oldest organizations in our industry.

BigO · 01-11-2020, 01:30 PM

Dear PCA Member,

As you may have heard from today’s press releases, four companies announced they will not exhibit at PCA 2020. We want to assure you that the world’s biggest premium cigar and pipe show is on with over 110,000 square feet of space booked by hundreds of family-owned companies. The four companies not attending represent 12% of show space and, since the announcement, many exhibitors have reached out to PCA to secure booth space, potentially expand their footprint, or relocate to the vacated space.

The PCA 2020 show will be full, with the family-owned manufacturers who support the brick and mortar retailers and whose products fill our humidors. It is more important than ever that family-owned businesses that built this industry come together. This year, PCA 2020 will have some exciting new features to showcase new products and help retailers and exhibitors create and enhance relationships. We will be rolling out new information in the coming weeks and months on those developments.

The PCA trade show remains not only the most important business event in the premium cigar and pipe industry, but also our greatest asset in fighting back regulations on both state and federal levels. Your membership and attendance at the PCA trade show directly finances the industry’s legal challenges against the FDA. To date, along with our partners at Cigar Rights of America, we have spent a combined $4.5 million just on litigation against FDA regulatory oversight, not to mention the millions we spend every year on our legislative agenda. These efforts have benefited the entire industry.

Our biggest priority remains focused on keeping a pathway for new products to come to market. After years of fighting, we are making some incredible new head ways in achieving major regulatory relief for the industry. For any member who would like to get more involved in the PCA and in serving on a committee, please contact PCA Executive Director, Scott Pearce.

We thank you for your continued support and look forward to seeing you in Las Vegas this July at PCA 2020.

All the best,

PCA Board of Directors

jeepdad · 01-11-2020, 06:17 PM

Yesterday I was at my local brick and mortar and me and the owner (long time friends) discussed this as the emails were rolling in from the manufacturers. I'm not versed into the biz side of the industry what is the real issue here? I know what the manufacturer emails say that their concerns have fallen on deaf ears at the PCA. What does the PCA gain from ignoring major manufacturers and distributors? Is it a personality thing? Can someone distill it down for me? I assumed the PCA board was made up of retailers, manufacturers and distributors. Is it not? Am i asking the right questions?

My friend the owner stopped going to the IPCPR annual conference because he could get the deals without spending the $$ on attending. He realizes he doesn't get the face time with those at the IPCPR but he was ok with it.

Not for nothing but the PCA response seems to be a big Fuck You to the dissenting manufacturers and distributors.

01-10-2020, 08:51 AM	#1
ronin The Duke Herf God Join Date: Dec 2002 Posts: 20,302	PCA Issues https://halfwheel.com/altadis-davido...de-show/370803 __________________ Words are what men live by. A man's word even if it means his destruction must be honored

01-10-2020, 09:01 AM	#3
SLR Charter Member Moderator Herf God Join Date: Apr 2000 Location: OC/LA Area, CA USA Posts: 15,520	Wow, this is HUGE. Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk __________________ Isaiah 53 LGBFJB BE AWAKE, NOT WOKE

01-10-2020, 09:18 AM	#4
BigO Publisher/Owner El Chefé BBQ Guru Herf God Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: Atlanta. Posts: 55,765	It really is. PCA severed ties with their lobbyist group a couple of weeks ago and now the show is going to be a fraction of the size. __________________ Every time you think you've become too cynical, the world finds a way to teach you that the real problem is that you haven't become cynical enough Free speech is free speech is free speech. There is no qualifier. If you aren't outraged, you aren't paying attention. Never attribute malice to that what can be explained as stupidity. Unborn lives matter too.

01-10-2020, 10:58 AM	#5
TommyBB Editor-in-Chief Herf God Join Date: Aug 1998 Location: Metairie, LA Posts: 86,649	Did we ever get Don's interview with Scott Pierce? Would be good to have it up and published. __________________ +In Memory of E.Guevara(Cubano67)W.Orlando(Shadow) A.Morris (Knife) D.Odom (dodom) D.Revermann (dgr) S.Bouchard (sb1396) M.Cole (Matt76) S.Faccenda (TOJE) R.Smith(IBMer) V.Vandermeer (van55)M.Davis(boxdoctor)S.Singer(bassman)K.Doetze l (drillrk1)D.Hart(garme1962)J.Coleman(John C 81)T.Gossett(Dartplayer1)J.Bolt (jb)E.J.Ferralles(CaballoPinto)M.Cataldo(FVFanMC)K Payne(SanchoPanza)F.Seltzer(Mowee)+LB+Connor Olson+Micah Kercheval+Maggie Bonefas+Karen

01-10-2020, 11:16 AM	#6
BigO Publisher/Owner El Chefé BBQ Guru Herf God Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: Atlanta. Posts: 55,765	There were a couple of attempts, but I never received it. __________________ Every time you think you've become too cynical, the world finds a way to teach you that the real problem is that you haven't become cynical enough Free speech is free speech is free speech. There is no qualifier. If you aren't outraged, you aren't paying attention. Never attribute malice to that what can be explained as stupidity. Unborn lives matter too.

01-10-2020, 06:05 PM	#7
BigO Publisher/Owner El Chefé BBQ Guru Herf God Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: Atlanta. Posts: 55,765	Dear PCA Member, As you may have heard from today’s press releases, four companies announced they will not exhibit at PCA 2020. We want to assure you that the world’s biggest premium cigar and pipe show is on with over 110,000 square feet of space booked by hundreds of family-owned companies. The four companies not attending represent 12% of show space and, since the announcement, many exhibitors have reached out to PCA to secure booth space, potentially expand their footprint, or relocate to the vacated space. The PCA 2020 show will be full, with the family-owned manufacturers who support the brick and mortar retailers and whose products fill our humidors. It is more important than ever that family-owned businesses that built this industry come together. This year, PCA 2020 will have some exciting new features to showcase new products and help retailers and exhibitors create and enhance relationships. We will be rolling out new information in the coming weeks and months on those developments. The PCA trade show remains not only the most important business event in the premium cigar and pipe industry, but also our greatest asset in fighting back regulations on both state and federal levels. Your membership and attendance at the PCA trade show directly finances the industry’s legal challenges against the FDA. To date, along with our partners at Cigar Rights of America, we have spent a combined $4.5 million just on litigation against FDA regulatory oversight, not to mention the millions we spend every year on our legislative agenda. These efforts have benefited the entire industry. Our biggest priority remains focused on keeping a pathway for new products to come to market. After years of fighting, we are making some incredible new head ways in achieving major regulatory relief for the industry. For any member who would like to get more involved in the PCA and in serving on a committee, please contact PCA Executive Director, Scott Pearce. We thank you for your continued support and look forward to seeing you in Las Vegas this July at PCA 2020. All the best, PCA Board of Directors __________________ Every time you think you've become too cynical, the world finds a way to teach you that the real problem is that you haven't become cynical enough Free speech is free speech is free speech. There is no qualifier. If you aren't outraged, you aren't paying attention. Never attribute malice to that what can be explained as stupidity. Unborn lives matter too.

01-11-2020, 08:23 AM	#8
mrdiver Herf Meister Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: Clearwater, FL USA Posts: 9,931	This from Abe, the owner of Smoke Inn, a big retailed in south Florida: Well I hate to say I called this one months ago....but I did. This is an epic tragedy for the organization no matter how they spin it. I remember my mentor Sal Fontana telling me about his early (RTDA back then) trade show stories where the whole show was a floor in a hotel, and instead of booths, manufacturers had Hotel Rooms. Retailers would just roam the floor going room to room. Then to grow as great as it did, just for this to happen now...is tragic. No other way to put it. Unfortunately, you CANT ignore obvious pains over the last decade plus. You can’t just assume things will always be as they are. Kodak thought that way, looked how that worked out for them. The organization lacked the leadership and vision to address THE real problems for many years now, so you really can’t be shocked about this news. When CIGARCON was announced, I said that within 3 years the PCA will get acquired by the TPE and there will be ONE big show for the Whole Industry. Mass Market & Premium. That scenario is looking more prominent than ever. While I can’t say I’m shocked, I’m deeply saddened by this news and what it may mean for one of the oldest organizations in our industry.

01-11-2020, 01:30 PM	#9
BigO Publisher/Owner El Chefé BBQ Guru Herf God Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: Atlanta. Posts: 55,765	Dear PCA Member, As you may have heard from today’s press releases, four companies announced they will not exhibit at PCA 2020. We want to assure you that the world’s biggest premium cigar and pipe show is on with over 110,000 square feet of space booked by hundreds of family-owned companies. The four companies not attending represent 12% of show space and, since the announcement, many exhibitors have reached out to PCA to secure booth space, potentially expand their footprint, or relocate to the vacated space. The PCA 2020 show will be full, with the family-owned manufacturers who support the brick and mortar retailers and whose products fill our humidors. It is more important than ever that family-owned businesses that built this industry come together. This year, PCA 2020 will have some exciting new features to showcase new products and help retailers and exhibitors create and enhance relationships. We will be rolling out new information in the coming weeks and months on those developments. The PCA trade show remains not only the most important business event in the premium cigar and pipe industry, but also our greatest asset in fighting back regulations on both state and federal levels. Your membership and attendance at the PCA trade show directly finances the industry’s legal challenges against the FDA. To date, along with our partners at Cigar Rights of America, we have spent a combined $4.5 million just on litigation against FDA regulatory oversight, not to mention the millions we spend every year on our legislative agenda. These efforts have benefited the entire industry. Our biggest priority remains focused on keeping a pathway for new products to come to market. After years of fighting, we are making some incredible new head ways in achieving major regulatory relief for the industry. For any member who would like to get more involved in the PCA and in serving on a committee, please contact PCA Executive Director, Scott Pearce. We thank you for your continued support and look forward to seeing you in Las Vegas this July at PCA 2020. All the best, PCA Board of Directors __________________ Every time you think you've become too cynical, the world finds a way to teach you that the real problem is that you haven't become cynical enough Free speech is free speech is free speech. There is no qualifier. If you aren't outraged, you aren't paying attention. Never attribute malice to that what can be explained as stupidity. Unborn lives matter too.

01-11-2020, 06:17 PM	#10
jeepdad Club Member Join Date: Dec 2013 Location: Stafford, VA Posts: 2,687	Yesterday I was at my local brick and mortar and me and the owner (long time friends) discussed this as the emails were rolling in from the manufacturers. I'm not versed into the biz side of the industry what is the real issue here? I know what the manufacturer emails say that their concerns have fallen on deaf ears at the PCA. What does the PCA gain from ignoring major manufacturers and distributors? Is it a personality thing? Can someone distill it down for me? I assumed the PCA board was made up of retailers, manufacturers and distributors. Is it not? Am i asking the right questions? My friend the owner stopped going to the IPCPR annual conference because he could get the deals without spending the $$ on attending. He realizes he doesn't get the face time with those at the IPCPR but he was ok with it. Not for nothing but the PCA response seems to be a big Fuck You to the dissenting manufacturers and distributors. Last edited by jeepdad; 01-11-2020 at 06:26 PM.