Oser Communications Group

Ja nua r y 3 0-3 1, 20 13 TOBACC O SH OW EXTRA 4 TPE 2013 TO BRING MORE THAN 2,000 TOBACCO INDUSTRY LEADERS TOGETHER By Lucas Witman More than 2,000 individuals are expected to convene at the Las Vegas Convention Center from January 30 to 31 for the 2013 Tobacco Plus Expo. Tobacco manufacturers and distributors look forward each year to the annual TPE tradeshow, which provides them with an excellent opportunity to exhibit their products and network with others in the industry. In addition to opportunities for marketing, networking and establishing sales relationships, TPE also offers attendees educational sessions where they can learn the business strategies to increase profits throughout the year. Those registered to attend the 2013 TPE tradeshow include retailers, tobacconists, convenience store owners, wholesalers, manufacturers, importers/exporters, consultants and people from every walk of the tobacco industry. In addition, media will be in attendance, speaking to exhibitors and reporting on the event for industry-specific publications. "To be honest, TPE 2012 was the best show I ever exhibited in. The staff was friendly and helpful and I made not only a lot of sales but I got a lot of good leads from it too," said Sherif Amin, Sales Manager for Fresh Choice Tobacco. "I definitely will be there in 2013." The schedule for this year's TPE tradeshow is overflowing with interesting opportunities in which the attendees will have the pleasure to take part. In addition to having the opportunity to visit exhibitors' booths and speak to industry leaders, TPE organizers have also arranged a number of interactive marketing sessions, roundtable discussion groups and special events designed to make sure show attendees are kept abreast of the latest happenings within the industry. Attendees will undoubtedly exit the show ahead of the game when it comes to competing with their peers in the tobacco field. This year's keynote address at TPE will be delivered by Ed O'Connor, Publisher of Tobacco Outlet Business International magazine and Dr. Brad Rodu, Professor of Medicine at the University of Louisville. The focus of the keynote address will be on product innovation within the tobacco industry and how best retailers can position their stores to take advantage of these innovations. Show attendees will want to make sure that they are available on January 31 at 8:30 a.m. to take part in the keynote address. Another hotly anticipated event at TPE 2013 is the presentation of New Product Awards. A panel of expert industry buyers at the show will choose winners in three categories: Best New Tobacco Product, Best New Non-Tobacco Product and Best New Tobacco Accessory. This year, new products are being introduced by dozens of different high profile companies, including Cherokee Brands, Royal Blunts, Golden Tobacco Ltd., Romeo y Julieta and many others. A press conference will take place on January 31 at 11:30 a.m., where winners will be announced. Attendees at TPE 2013 will have the added benefit of having access to an exclusive cigar bar and lounge, where they can organize informal meetings with colleagues and business prospects or simply relax with a cigar and a complimentary drink. The cigar bar and lounge is located in the center of the exhibit hall. For more information on the 2013 Tobacco Plus Expo and to see a complete schedule of events, visit www.tobaccoplusexpo.com. Tobacco Show Extra is an independent publication not affiliated with the Tobacco Plus Expo Lee M. Oser CEO and Editor-in-Chief Lyle Sapp Senior Associate Publisher Director of Sales Kate Seymour Senior Associate Publisher Kim Forrester Paul Harris Associate Publishers Lorrie Baumann Editorial Director Lucas Witman Editor Rocelle Aragon Associate Editor JoEllen Lowry Ana Venne Contributing Editors Monica Boland Art Director Yasmine Brown Graphic Designer Ruth Haltiwanger Michael McAbee Traffic Managers Clarissa Alvarez Lisa Amidan Lynn Hilton Account Managers Enrico Cecchi European Sales Convenience Retailer is published by Oser Communications Group ©2013. BPA Worldwide Member since June 22, 2009. All rights reserved. Executive and editorial offices at: 1877 N. Kolb Road, Tucson, AZ 85715 520.721.1300/Fax: 520.721.6300 www.oser.com www.convenienceretailer.net European offices located at Lungarno Benvenuto Cellini, 11, 50125 Florence, Italy.

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