Commentary: IPCPR Odds and Ends
23 Jul 2013
Have you been looking long and hard for that special stein of a bulldog puffing a stogie? Wondering where to buy organic rolling papers? Or want a straight razor for shaving?
If you said yes to any of these questions, as well as a host of others, the International Premium Cigar & Pipe Retailers Association (IPCPR) Trade Show has a display for you.
There’s no doubt the convention is a big tent. After all, there was a Davidoff black tie party at one extreme and a cigar proudly promoted as Cheap Bastard at the other.
But it’s the non-cigar pitches fighting for attention on the Las Vegas convention floor that often stood out. Here’s an introduction to some of the most notable.
One item that caught my eye was the electronic hookah. No need to fool with stuff like a pipe, charcoal, or shisa. A Tinder Box retailer told me that when her shop began carrying them, older patrons dismissed them as drug paraphernalia. Now, she added, many are customers, and she can barely keep up with demand.
I’m guessing many of you are, like me, fairly ignorant of the hookah industry. Here’s an idea of its size: Starbuzz Tobacco handed out a 112-page catalog printed on heavy, slick stock.
Of course, it’s difficult to talk about hookah without mentioning its role supporting the Trade Show model industry. For a convention with a predominantly male clientele, there’s probably nothing that attracts attention like young women who are, shall we say, lightly clothed. But the winner probably was the 8Hr Buzz Energy Shot greeter.
A standout of different nature was the Lil’ Brown Smoke Shack’s cigar mascot, reminiscent of the Milwaukee Brewers’ Racing Sausages, towering over everyone on the floor.
And I would be remiss if I didn’t mention the above-and-beyond work at Nat Sherman’s annual welcome booth. This year, the always helpful staffers were also selling bags to raise funds for the Ocean County Long Term Recovery Group, an organization helping victims of Super Storm Sandy.
Learn how you can make a donation here.
photo credit: Stogie Guys
Patrick Ashby
Co-Founder & Editor in Chief
Patrick Semmens
Co-Founder & Publisher
George Edmonson
Tampa Bureau Chief
Has the Emilo Dora shown up.
No. Gary told me at the show he expects the Mia Dora to begin shipping at the end of October.
thank you george
[Via twitter]
@BurnofCovington @stogieguys Janelle wasn't representing 8 Hour Buzz. She was in the Mardi Gras Cigars booth. Really nice girl! 🙂
If you consider few of the healthy hookah then smoking become more enjoying and relaxing experience for the smokers. Though finding such hookahs are difficult and expensive affair at the same time, yet finding isn’t that difficult provided you search over the web. And you never know, you could even end up finding several inexpensive deals.