The proposed Consumer Day for the 2013 IPCPR event has officially been “tabled”. The information of this decision came in an email by International Premium Cigar and Pipe Retailer (IPCPR) CEO Bill Spann.
On December 31st, the IPCPR sent an email to its members proposing a 1/2 day of the last day of the trade show be open to consumers. In addition, an evening “celebrity roast” event was planned. Both events would be ticketed and open to the public and would be used to generate revenue.
Since this initial proposal, this topic has been a polarizing debate by members of the cigar industry. In the email Spann said, “As a group, you strongly asked that we not proceed with these plans and they have been tabled.”
In the same email, it was announced that IPCPR member dues would increase by $100.00, but will also include an “informational membership” to a member’s state (IPCPR) association. In addition a registration fee for new members and for individuals with expired memberships are being introduced. The registration fee will be in addition to annual dues.
The attitude by the "industry" to not allow consumers into the IPCPR is nothing short of a slap in the face to the very people who drive their business. How short-sighted can they be? We consumers are the ones who ultimately buy their products! What better way to drive demand for new offerings than by sampling them to the consumer first. If we find something new that we like, don't you think we would go to our local B&M and ask them to stock up? Sampling has long been an effective way of building retail consumer demand. As consumers, we don't ask for much. Why not include us at your biggest venue and gain from our support in return?