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[ sHOW REVIEW]
Bigger and better
Relocated NATO Expo sets new attendance records
By Chris Traczek
Proving that bigger can indeed be better, the newly relocated NATO Conference & Exposition took to its new surroundings at the Las Vegas Convention Center like a duck to water. After two successful years at the Rio All-Suites Hotel & Casino, the ever-expanding NATO Expo took up residence from for its third edition from March 29-31 in an expansive hall at the LVCC that allowed all of the exhibits to be contained under one roof.
And exhibit they did as nearly 500 companies set up shop for two days and 13 hours of trade-show activity. Overall attendance was up over 20 percent from the 2004 show at the Rio, with a total of 2,025 representatives from tobacco outlets, retail tobacconists, wholesalers and convenience stores on hand to sample the wares offered by the exhibiting firms. Many firms were offering show specials to attendees, or had special promotions and raffles designed to attract customers.
“Overall, I think the show was very positive,” said Tom Briant, executive director of the National Association of Tobacco Outlets. “We had a number of additional exhibitors from various segments of the industry, more cigar companies, more accessory companies, so that was all positive.”
In addition to the trade show, attendees were treated to a number of educational and networking opportunities.
With a theme of “Strategies for Sales Growth,” the Expo offered attendees better ways to sell market and sell premium cigars, a visual merchandising seminar designed to offer tips on improving store presentation, retailer roundtables where attendees could sit down and swap stories and tips with their brethren and, of course, Bonnie Herzog’s annual update and industry overview. In addition, attendees were invited to sit in on NATO’s Annual Meeting and Legislative Panel Breakfast where they were presented the latest activities being undertaken by their state and federal legislators.
Rapidly becoming a highlight of the show is the announcement of the winner of the NATO Pinnacle Award, which is given to a person who has provided service to tobacco retailers. This year, the award was presented to Tom Trader of R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Company. Trader began his career with RJR in 1973 as a sales representative and was promoted several times to his current position as director of trade relations. He also served on the NATO Board of Directors from 2003-2004 and provided insight and knowledge that helped guide NATO through its formative years.
Of course, no NATO Expo is all work and no play and this year was no different as the Opening Night Leading Brands Reception, sponsored in part by Altadis U.S.A., Lane Limited, National Tobacco Co., R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Co., Philip Morris USA and U.S. Smokeless Tobacco Co., allowed attendees to get together in a more relaxed atmosphere.
Hoping to build on the success of this year, the 2006 NATO Expo will return to the Las Vegas Convention Center next year, though the dates have been moved up a month as the show will be held from Feb. 28-March 3, 2006.
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