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The International Premium Cigar & Pipe Retailers Association has announced the dates and venue have changed for its 2017 IPCPR Convention & Trade Show. The show will still be held in Las Vegas as planned, but will now be held at the Las Vegas Convention Center (LVCC) from July 10 – 14, 2017.

The Trade Show had originally been scheduled to be at the Sands Expo Center from July 15-19th. The Sands Expo Center has been home to the Trade Show on multiple occasions.

IPCPR has said the change was needed because the Sands cancelled the IPCPR dates. Laura Rogers who handles social media for the IPCPR commented on Facebook, “This move was initiated by the Venetian/Sands. Under the terms of our contract either party has the right to cancel dates and pay a penalty to the other party. IPCPR believes, but cannot confirm, that the Venetian/Sands booked a much larger meeting over our dates. Larger events pushing out smaller events, while not common, does happen when facilities can realize a substantial revenue increase..”

In a press release, IPCPR President Craig Cass stated, “While this change has challenged IPCPR staff to relocate our show, we are very pleased to find a new home at the Las Vegas Convention Center so close to our original dates.”

“Certainly, we had to scramble to relocate on such short notice.  The good news is that we secured great dates and the Las Vegas Convention Center provides the show with all the square footage we need to include exhibits, the Lunchtime Learning Theater and the food court on the show floor.  Additionally, the LVCC offers exhibitors a much easier and faster load-in and loud-out than the Sands.”, commented Mark Pursell, IPCPR CEO.

IPCPR said the trade show will take place at the North Halls of the Las Vegas Convention Center. A new Headquarters Hotel will also soon be announced.

Scott Regina, Chair of the Membership & Trade Show Committee added, “Now that the hotel room block is de-coupled from the trade show floor, we think we can negotiate lower room rates for our members than we have been able to secure in the past in Las Vegas.  We look forward to announcing these properties soon.”

Cass added, “Most of America’s great trade shows are hosted at the Las Vegas Convention Center and we are happy to join them in a world class facility.  We know this is a change of plans, but remain confident that our show will continue to improve, as it has done over the last few years.  On total, I think we turned a problem into an opportunity.”

IPCPR has also said it will communicate with exhibitors with regards to booth locations and show logistics with the intent of preserving the current layout.