New Orleans, sadly, in spite of the New Orleans Convention Center’s desire to have the IPCPR there (and they signed up for two years), there were unnecessary and annoying impediments to smoking. The exhibitors couldn’t smoke when setting up (Saturday, August 8^th) and when dismantling (Wednesday, August 12^th after 1:00 PM); nor could you leave the Exhibit Hall and cross the lobby, to exit the building, with a lighted cigar! Does anyone else hear the sound of jackboots hitting the pavement?

In these difficult economic times, focused on an activity (cigar smoking), beset by taxes, bans, and restrictions, the exhibitors at the 77^th Annual Convention and Trade Show set forth to show their wares to several hundred tobacconists and associated retailers that came from all over the country - and from foreign lands - to see what was new. An integral part of the annual event was to enjoy the camaraderie and fellowship of people you don’t get to see all that frequently.

There were dinners, receptions, lunches every day, seminars and one official business meeting of the IPCPR, at which the new President, Gary Pesh of Old Virginia Tobacco, was installed.

New products from cigar makers and accessory makers were the focus of the event. Like every other industry, it is new products that stimulate the market. And, we noted that there were serious orders being written by many of the companies with interesting new cigars and/or products.