Today was one of the premier cigar herfs in the world – the Great Smoke sponsored by Smoke Inn.  The Who’s Who of the cigar industry was down in West Palm Beach.   While I wasn’t there, I was keeping a keen eye.   Suddenly, in the late afternoon, my text messages started going off with something that Illusione Cigars’ Dion Giolito posted on Twitter – namely news that Matt Booth of Room 101 Cigars was acquiring G.A.R!

Could Matt Booth of Room 101 Cigars be buying G.A.R.?

Wow!  Shock waves were being set off.  With mergers and acquisitions a part of the cigar industry like any other – could this really  be true?   Meanwhile another post was made on Facebook by Kristoff Cigars’ Glen Case.  It was saying Exclusive Cigars was acquiring Illusione!

Could  Glen Case of Exclusive Cigars be buying Illusione?

It didn’t take long to figure out that all four of these guys – Dion Giolito, Glen Case, Matt Booth of Room 101 Cigars, and George Rico of G.A.R. were all down at the Great Smoke.  A couple of photos by Dion indicated this was all in fun.  However, it is amazing what the power of social media can do.   I got many questions from folks – and yes, when I saw Dion’s post on Matt Booth, I was even wondering.

My personal feeling – this was a nice pickup the cigar industry needed this week – even if it was a bit at our expense.  It’s been one of the most brutal weeks ever in cigar industry history with Outdoor Smoking Bans passed in New York City and Raleigh, NC – plus the loss of the great Sal Fontana and Gary Hyams leaving CAO.  When you can see different manufacturers -who all compete with each other, have some fun – this is awesome.   It shows that camaraderie isn’t just among consumers in a cigar shop, but it extends further.   Find me another industry that can have such fun.   Great work, by great people – you are what make the industry the best in the world.