For the third consecutive year, Davidoff Cigar hosted its annual the Golden Band Award Show at the IPCPR Trade Show.  The awards program is meant to honor and the company’s best Appointed Merchants that according to Davidoff “truly embody the Davidoff Standard of Excellence”.  The awards were announced at an event held for the company’s appointed merchants at the 2014 IPCPR Trade Show.  We took a look at the nominations on June 19th. At the awards dinner, the company also updated its Appointed Merchants on several initiatives, recapped the past year, and looked ahead to the future.

Recapping the Past Year

Prior to the awards, Davidoff CEO Hans-Kristian Hoejsgaard and Davidoff of Geneva, North America President Jim Young provided an update on several company initiatives.  The company mentioned its revenue growth over the past year, and recognized the success of the rebranding of Camacho.

Looking to the Future

The company also mentioned its commitment to the Davidoff Art Initiative as a integral part of the brand’s strategy. There are plans to open five art studios in the Dominican Republic in 2014.

There are big plans for 2015. There are plans to commemorate parent company Oettinger Davidoff’s 140 Anniversary. There are plans to provide Appointed Merchants with their own anniversary cigar. Finally, there are plans for an revamping of the Avo brand for 2015, but not specifics were announced.

The company also reaffirmed its commitment to building more Davidoff lounges.

Tributes

Long-time brand ambassador, Avo Uvezian was not feeling well, therefore he was not there, but delivered an inspiring message to attendee through a video.  When CRA Executive Director Glynn Loope presented the Industry Service Award, he called attention to the efforts of former CRA Chairman Jeff Borysiewicz.

The Awards

Tinder Box Cigars of Charlotte and Tobacconist of Greenwich led all retailers will three nominations for 2014.  Tinderbox of Charlotte won one of the evening’s highest honors as Davidoff’s Appointed Merchant of the Year while for the third consecutive year, Tobacconist of Greenwich took the award for Best Davidoff performance for a single location.

As with 2012 or 2013, winners of each award received a special Golden Band Awards cigar.  It is anticipated 2014.  The following is the list of the nominees in each category along with the associated winners.

Best Merchandising

This honors the Appointed Merchant who best meets the Davidoff Brand merchandising expectations.

Winner: Cup O’ Joes (Queensbury, NY)

The Briar Shoppe (Houston, Texas)
Burns Tobacconist (Chattanooga, TN)
The Tobacconist of Greenwich (Greenwich, CT)
Briaf Patch (Sacramento, CA)

Best Davidoff Performance (Single Location)

This is awarded to the Appointed Merchant with a single location that has the highest level of Davidoff brand purchases.

Winner: The Tobacconist of Greenwich (Greenwich, CT)

Blend Cigar Bar (Indianapolis, IN)
Georgetown Tobacco and Pipe Store (Washington, DC)
Jack Schwartz Importer (Chicago, IL)
Regency Cigar Emporium (East Greenwich, RI)
The Tobacconist of Greenwich (Greenwich, CT)

Best Davidoff Performance (Multiple Locations)

This is awarded to the Appointed Merchant with two or more locations that has the highest level of Davidoff brand purchases.

Winner: Corona Cigar Company (Orlando, FL)

Ambassador Fine Cigars (Scottsdale, AZ)
Humidor Of Westmont (Westmont, IL)
Corona Cigar Company (Orlando, FL)
Tinder Box Cigars (Charlotte, NC)
Barclay Rex (New York NY)

Davidoff Growth Award (Single Location)

This is awarded to the Appointed Merchant with a single location that has the largest percentage and dollar increase of Davidoff brand sales.

Winner: Cigarz on the Avenue (Winter Park, FL)

Smoky’s Fine Cigars (Bloomfield, MI)
Hemingway’s (Palo Alto, CA)
8 to 8 Cigars (Chicago, IL)
The Smoke Shop of Naples (Naples, FL)

Davidoff Growth Award (Multiple Locations)

This is awarded to the Appointed Merchant with a two or more location that has the largest percentage and dollar increase of Davidoff brand sales.

Winner: Humidor Of Westmont (Westmont, IL)

Ambassador Fine Cigars (Scottsdale, AZ)
Serious Cigars (Houston, TX)
Tinder Box Cigars (Charlotte, NC)
Anthony’s Cigar Emporium (Tucson, AZ)

Industry Service Award

Bestowed upon an individual from our Appointed Merchants who has done the most to sustain the premium cigar industry and to advance the industry’s agenda in legislation, regulation and the community. In a change from previous years, these recipients were announced the evening of the Golden Band Awards.

Winners:David Garafolo, Two Guys Smoke Shop (New Hampshire); Gary Kolesaire, Tobacco Shop of Ridgewood (Ridgewood, NJ)

Appointed Merchant of the Year

This is awarded to the Appointed Merchant with the largest percentage and dollar increase of the complete Davidoff of Geneva Distribution portfolio. These are five new nominees for 2014.

Winner: Tinder Box Cigars (Charlotte, NC)

Blend Cigar Bar (Indianapolis, IN)
The Tobacconist of Greenwich (Greenwich, CT)
Hemingway’s (Palo Alto, CA)
Cigar Box (Miami, FL)

Zino Davidoff Legacy Award

This is awarded to an individual in our industry, from amongst out Appointed Merchants, who has stood out over the yers as a true champion of what premuim cigars and premium cigar retailing is all about.

Winner: Curt Diebel, Diebel’s Sportsmens Gallery (Kansas City, MO)

For reference, here were the previous winners. These winners were given the opportunity to carry the ultra-limited Davidoff Golden Band cigar for 2012 or 2013 depending on the year won.

Best Merchandising
2012 Island Smoke Shop (Key Largo, FL)
2013 Prime Cigar & Wine Bar (Boca Raton, FL)
2014 Cup O’ Joes (Queensbury, NY)

Best Davidoff Performance (Single Location)
2012 The Tobacconist of Greenwich (Greenwich, CT)
2013 The Tobacconist of Greenwich (Greenwich, CT)
2014 The Tobacconist of Greenwich (Greenwich, CT)

Best Davidoff Performance (Multiple Locations)
2012 Humidor Of Westmont  (Westmont, IL)
2013 Ambassador Fine Cigars (Scottsdale, AZ)
2014 Corona Cigar Company (Orlando, FL)

Davidoff Growth Award (Single Location)
2012 Ambassador Fine Cigars (Scottsdale, AZ)
2013 Angry Moon Cigars (Palm Beach Gardens, FL)
2014 Cigars on the Avenue (Winter Park, FL)

Davidoff Growth Award (Multiple Locations)
2012 Cigars by Chivas (Pasadena, CA)
2013 Corona Cigar Company (Orlando, FL)
2014 Humidor of Westmont (Westmont, L)

Industry Service Award

2012:
John Andersson, W. Curtis Draper (Washington, DC)
Craig Cass, Tinder Box of Charlotte (Charlotte, NC)
Jeff Borysiewicz, Corona Cigar (Orlando, FL)
Christian Hutson, Just for Him Cigars (Springfield, MO)

2013:
Finnie Helmuth, The Humidour Cigar Shoppe (Cockeysville, MD)
Curt Diebel, Diebel’s Sportsmens Gallery  (Kansas City, MO)
Gary Pech, Old Virginia Tobacco (Woodbridge, VA)

2014:
David Garafolo, Two Guys Smoke Shop (New Hampshire)
Gary Kolesaire, Tobacco Shop of Ridgewood (Ridgewood, NJ)

Appointed Merchant of the Year
2012 Tinder Box Waldorf (Waldorf, MD)
2013 Maxamar Cigar (Orange, CA)
2014 Tinder Box of Charlotte (Charlotte, NC)

Zino Davidoff Legacy Award
2012 Diana Silvius, UpDown Cigars (Chicago, IL)
2013 David Berkebile, Georgetown Tobacco
2014 Curt Diebel, Diebel’s Sportsmens Gallery (Kansas City, MO)