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Going to IPCPR this year.....what to bring/expect?

Cigarth Vader

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Dress comfortable (polo and jeans or slacks), bring food and water for snacking throughout the day, extra batteries and the most comfortable shoes you own. Bring a palate cleanser as well. You'll be surprised how many cigars you end up smoking throughout the day.

When you visit booths, expect that the first day they'll be busy with orders, offer to set appointments for the second day or later in the first. Don't get discouraged, and avoid letting your personal preferences dictate who you visit. Come up with a plan on how you want to work the floor and stick to it. It's easy to get sidetracked by "sparkly objects."

Feel free to hit me up if you have any other questions.

Shameless plug: come by the Ventura Cigar booth and say hi.

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ChuckMejia

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Dress comfortable (polo and jeans or slacks), bring food and water for snacking throughout the day, extra batteries and the most comfortable shoes you own. Bring a palate cleanser as well. You'll be surprised how many cigars you end up smoking throughout the day.

When you visit booths, expect that the first day they'll be busy with orders, offer to set appointments for the second day or later in the first. Don't get discouraged, and avoid letting your personal preferences dictate who you visit. Come up with a plan on how you want to work the floor and stick to it. It's easy to get sidetracked by "sparkly objects."

Feel free to hit me up if you have any other questions.

Shameless plug: come by the Ventura Cigar booth and say hi.

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Make sure to have initiation samples ready. :)
 

irratebass

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Dress comfortable (polo and jeans or slacks), bring food and water for snacking throughout the day, extra batteries and the most comfortable shoes you own. Bring a palate cleanser as well. You'll be surprised how many cigars you end up smoking throughout the day.

When you visit booths, expect that the first day they'll be busy with orders, offer to set appointments for the second day or later in the first. Don't get discouraged, and avoid letting your personal preferences dictate who you visit. Come up with a plan on how you want to work the floor and stick to it. It's easy to get sidetracked by "sparkly objects."

Feel free to hit me up if you have any other questions.

Shameless plug: come by the Ventura Cigar booth and say hi.

Sent from my Pixel using Tapatalk
Thanks for the tips Darth, hopefully I'll be able to stop by and say hello.

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@Cigarth Vader is a better source for info than me. I am used to being there as a vendor rather than a retailer or blogger, so I can't offer as much insight. Some general advice I can give you:
1) Beyond comfortable shoes, make sure to wear gel soles. I made the mistake of not wearing them my first year at IPCPR.
2) From what I understand, media are not supposed to ask for samples. So, I think it's a good idea to follow that line of thinking. I am sure a lot of manufacturers will offer samples, so don't worry about coming home empty handed.
3) Make appointments as early in advance as possible...like in the next couple weeks.
4) Don't bother going to Davidoff, Fuente, or Padron the first coupe days as their booths will be packed. Look for the booths that aren't getting much attention. Some of them might be thrilled to get media attention, so they will be more accommodating.
5) Avoid criticizing any person or manufacturer as you never know who is around you, or if the person you're talking to has a relationship with that person.
6. I had no trouble bringing torch lighters on a plane...in fact I had five in my carry-on.
7. Don't stay at the Westgate...it's a shit hole of a hotel. SLS is having good rates.
8. There is usually a main bar everyone hangs out each night, which is a pretty cool place to meet people and have a good time.
 

irratebass

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@Cigarth Vader is a better source for info than me. I am used to being there as a vendor rather than a retailer or blogger, so I can't offer as much insight. Some general advice I can give you:
1) Beyond comfortable shoes, make sure to wear gel soles. I made the mistake of not wearing them my first year at IPCPR.
2) From what I understand, media are not supposed to ask for samples. So, I think it's a good idea to follow that line of thinking. I am sure a lot of manufacturers will offer samples, so don't worry about coming home empty handed.
3) Make appointments as early in advance as possible...like in the next couple weeks.
4) Don't bother going to Davidoff, Fuente, or Padron the first coupe days as their booths will be packed. Look for the booths that aren't getting much attention. Some of them might be thrilled to get media attention, so they will be more accommodating.
5) Avoid criticizing any person or manufacturer as you never know who is around you, or if the person you're talking to has a relationship with that person.
6. I had no trouble bringing torch lighters on a plane...in fact I had five in my carry-on.
7. Don't stay at the Westgate...it's a shit hole of a hotel. SLS is having good rates.
8. There is usually a main bar everyone hangs out each night, which is a pretty cool place to meet people and have a good time.
Thanks brother, this was done great advice, I am not expecting or asking for samples, if I get them great, but not asking.

Nice remj see on the gels, I have flat feet, these will be a godsend.

Not sure where our hotel is yet, and I believe so.e of our appointments have already been scheduled...not sure yet, I'm expecting an email with more info and an itinerary as we get closer.

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Cigarth Vader

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@Cigarth Vader is a better source for info than me. I am used to being there as a vendor rather than a retailer or blogger, so I can't offer as much insight. Some general advice I can give you:
1) Beyond comfortable shoes, make sure to wear gel soles. I made the mistake of not wearing them my first year at IPCPR.
2) From what I understand, media are not supposed to ask for samples. So, I think it's a good idea to follow that line of thinking. I am sure a lot of manufacturers will offer samples, so don't worry about coming home empty handed.
3) Make appointments as early in advance as possible...like in the next couple weeks.
4) Don't bother going to Davidoff, Fuente, or Padron the first coupe days as their booths will be packed. Look for the booths that aren't getting much attention. Some of them might be thrilled to get media attention, so they will be more accommodating.
5) Avoid criticizing any person or manufacturer as you never know who is around you, or if the person you're talking to has a relationship with that person.
6. I had no trouble bringing torch lighters on a plane...in fact I had five in my carry-on.
7. Don't stay at the Westgate...it's a shit hole of a hotel. SLS is having good rates.
8. There is usually a main bar everyone hangs out each night, which is a pretty cool place to meet people and have a good time.
How dare you talk shit about the Luxurious Westgate!

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Bring cigars. I've been to 5 IPCPRs and you're going to be exposed to a lot of bad sticks. Mostly due to being too fresh and rushed to the show.

Also, don't smoke something if it's bad. Throw it out immediately. You can really screw up your throat and palate with bad cigars. If it's good by all means smoke it but expect very few of them to be in smokable form.

Figure out where people are meeting up and go there. In years past, the circle bar at the Pallazo was the place. Every big name manufacturer and high profile guy will be there just smoking and shooting the shit. If you're lucky enough to be invited to dinners and parties, go. They're fun.

The day before the floor opens there's usually a spirit and cigar pairing seminar. This fills up fast so register as early as you can. I only went once to the one in 2012 and we got a Dalmore cigar malt pour and a Four Kicks (awful pairing but still fun).

If you're not working the entire time, find a spot in the adjacent casino to sit and smoke with some friends. Getting away from the floor is a good self preservation technique.


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irratebass

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Bring cigars. I've been to 5 IPCPRs and you're going to be exposed to a lot of bad sticks. Mostly due to being too fresh and rushed to the show.

Also, don't smoke something if it's bad. Throw it out immediately. You can really screw up your throat and palate with bad cigars. If it's good by all means smoke it but expect very few of them to be in smokable form.

Figure out where people are meeting up and go there. In years past, the circle bar at the Pallazo was the place. Every big name manufacturer and high profile guy will be there just smoking and shooting the shit. If you're lucky enough to be invited to dinners and parties, go. They're fun.

The day before the floor opens there's usually a spirit and cigar pairing seminar. This fills up fast so register as early as you can. I only went once to the one in 2012 and we got a Dalmore cigar malt pour and a Four Kicks (awful pairing but still fun).

If you're not working the entire time, find a spot in the adjacent casino to sit and smoke with some friends. Getting away from the floor is a good self preservation technique.


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Thanks Dude, that part about not smokeabke sticks was a new one on me that makes a tine of sense.

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Hey Mickey,
I'll try to give you some advice both on the show and the group you're going with.

As other have said, comfortable shoes is a big deal as you'll be on your feet probably 12 to 14 hours a day. Drink lots of water all the time to keep yourself hydrated from the dry weather, long days and drinking. Lighters and cutters aren't usually a big deal as you'll be around tons of them all of the time. I also would recommend not just gorging yourself on cigars at the show. Take your time, especially if you plan to be talking to people as your cigar will keep going out. You'll have plenty of time to smoke in the evenings at various events or during downtime.

As for going with the site, you may be getting shirts, so check in with the boss to find out if that's the case and he'll probably give you guidelines on how else he'd like you to dress to represent the site. Also, in regards to samples you receive at the show, expect a fair amount of them to go into the review pile for the site and you may get some here and there to take home if there are extras. Not sure the size of the group or if there will be two groups again, but you might get assigned certain booths to hit up, but I'm sure all that will be explained to you leading up to the show.

Last thing is to enjoy the time. It's a lot of fun and you'll get to meet lots of cool people. It's long days, but it's all fun.
 
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