It’s the most wonderful time of the year…if you are in the cigar industry, that is. Tomorrow is the start of the 2014 International Premium Cigar and Pipe Retailers Trade Show—when all of the cigar world’s top folks descend on Sin City. They even allow me to attend and it is something that I don’t take for granted. There is one big rule when it comes to this four day cigar fest and that is that no consumers are allowed. The time is reserved for buyers, sellers and industry supporters. It is during this show that the largest numbers of cigars are sold in this country. It is when most retailers get their best deals and load up their inventory levels.

I wish everyone could attend because it is certainly a “who’s who” of the cigar industry, but I have made a commitment to make sure all who read my blog can follow along in real time. I will be live tweeting from the event and will also post a daily blog after each day of the show. You can look for my first blog on Monday afternoon and it will be followed up with three more through Thursday.

To make things even more open, I will include our itinerary for the week. This way, if you want to follow along with us daily you will know who we are meeting with and when.

We get things started early on Sunday morning at 9 a.m. with Altadis. We will then meet with Rocky Patel, Torano, Villager, Davidoff and Asylum.

Day two has spending time with JC Newman and Fuente, followed by Padron, General Cigar and Drew Estate. Our third day has us visiting our friends at Oliva, Gurkha, My Father, SAG Imports, Xikar and Perdomo. Day four brings EPC, Ashton, and several others that we currently don’t do business with.

So if you can’t be in Las Vegas for the trade show, at least you can follow along here. I will also do my best to keep you well educated on the intricate details of our buying team. I have warned all of my travel companions that what happens in Vegas may stay in Vegas—but it also goes in the blog. Oh, and there will be lots of pictures.

Long Ashes,

Chris Gwaltney, ABC Fine Wine & Spirits North Florida regional manager, Certified Tobacconist and Cicerone Beer Server

Follow me on Twitter @abccigarchris