Tobacco Media Group (TMG), the group under Kretek International that runs the annual Tobacco Products Expo, has announced it will be aligning with several new groups, one of which is the Cigar Association of America (CAA). The announcement came in a press release issued by TMG.

The CAA is an organization that represents many of the larger cigar manufacturers. Included in the membership are the companies known as the “Big Four” (Altadis, Davidoff, Drew Estate, General), Kretek International, and other companies.

Details of what the alliance will mean have not been disclosed, but one can infer since the Big Four and Kretek International have pulled out of the Premium Cigar Association (PCA) Trade Show, it provides some sort of a platform to work with TMG and the TPE 21 show.

TMG also announced alignments with The CBD and Cannabinoid Industry Association (CBDIA) and The Brightfield Group (another CBD organization). Meanwhile, TMG also announced it has renewed its ongoing partnership with the National Association of Tobacco Outlets (NATO).

Meanwhile, TMG announced that prior to TPE 21, which opens May 12, 2001, there will be a series of virtual educational seminars that will be delivered in Q1.

“TPE 2021 has presented some planning challenges, to say the least,” says Ben Stimpson, Managing Director of Tobacco Media Group in a press release. “But our team is hard at work, looking for ways we can increase the show’s value for both attendees and exhibitors. By moving the educational sessions to Q1, we’re still able to help the industry start the year strong, armed with information to grow their businesses. And we’re optimizing everyone’s time spent at TPE 2021 in May by giving people more time on the show floor to buy, sell, and network in person, which is really how business is best conducted. We’re really excited to step up TPE’s collaboration with industry associations, as we know what an incredible resource they are to the industry, and are confident we’ll see increased attendance as well… which means more growth, more profits, and more business getting done!”