Publisher's Letter - July/August 2006

Tobacco Expo Plus…Same Show, New Name

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A name change signals a new direction.

The N.A.T.O. Conference & Expo was a success this past year. It exceeded expectations on all fronts. However, as with any success the warm glow is short lived. The age-old business axiom asking: “What have you done for me lately?” replaces that warm glow with the need for constant change.

With that in mind, we are announcing a new name that reflects the expanded direction of the N.A.T.O. Conference & Expo. Beginning in 2007, the show will be called Tobacco Expo Plus. The reasons behind this decision are as follows.

The new name reflects the broader focus of the show and the attendee base. The N.A.T.O. Conference & Expo has drawn attendees from every type of retail and wholesale business with one common denominator. All of the attendees are involved in the tobacco business.

There were attendees from all over the United States and from several foreign countries. As one participant commented this past year, the N.A.T.O. Conference & Expo assembles the largest array of tobacco and tobacco accessories suppliers in the country. It is truly a show for anyone in the tobacco business, and the new name reflects that focus on tobacco for anyone that derives revenue from these products.

As important as tobacco is and will continue to be for all of our attendees, there is another business axiom at work here. The continuing need to grow sales not only in the core tobacco and tobacco-related areas, but also outside of tobacco. Millions of consumers pass through these retail establishments each year, and another opportunity for growth is to offer a changing product mix to these customers. The plus in Tobacco Expo Plus reminds manufacturers outside of the tobacco business that the show is an opportunity to reach retailers that serve over 25,000,000 consumers.

Some 25,000,000 consumers make these stores destination stops—stops where they can buy a beverage, a gift, a phone card, a magazine, a candle, and a snack in addition to their tobacco purchase.

Tobacco Expo Plus is a name for the future. It is a name to build a foundation for more attendees, and to represent the needs of those attendees. It is a name to build participation from more exhibiting companies, and to connect them to more sales opportunities.

The Tobacco Expo Plus 2007 Show will be held in Las Vegas, Nevada, at the Las Vegas Convention Center (as was the N.A.T.O. Conference & Expo). The show dates are April 26 and 27, 2007. We look forward to another great event and to your attendance. •

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