IPCPR 2017: Day 0 Recap

And we back.

While today marks the first day of the IPCPR Convention & Trade Show, at least the trade show portion, I’ve been in Las Vegas since Friday prepping the ever-ambitious program that we have planned for covering the show. That 72 hours has given me a lot to think about regarding the themes going into this year’s trade show. In no particular order, here’s the three things people seem to be talking about the most.

1.  The Westgate is Unpleasant — I stayed there in January for TPE and offered this review:

1. The Westgate is Okay — For those wondering, the newly-remodeled Westgate is okay. It’s walking distance from the Las Vegas Convention Center and the rooms are nice and clean enough, though certainly a noticeable step back from the Venetian/Palazzo. My biggest issue with the Westgate is that the hotel feels like you are in Reno. I certainly will be looking at other options for halfwheel during the IPCPR Convention & Trade Show.

We ended up at the SLS, a short distance away where many other cigar companies are staying. I personally like the funkiness of the hotel, though nothing beats the convenience and options of the Venetian/Palazzo/Sands.

That being said, the Westgate is not earning rave reviews, then again, you get what you pay for.

Lots of complaints about the Westgate already. Yes, it’s not the Venetian. It’s also one-third the price. #IPCPR17 pic.twitter.com/Myn7ZvfMWB

— Charlie Minato (@charlieminato) July 9, 2017

2. The Floor Seems More Compact — Shrinking the footprint of the show has been talked about over the last two years and the effects were fully felt walking around during set up. Perhaps it will be normal when it opens up, but it feels like there’s less space in between booths.

3. Some Rumors Never Die — Since 2010, my first IPCPR Convention & Trade Show, I hear every year about how it’s going to be the worst show ever, how no one is showing up, how no one is buying and why it won’t be like last year, where most of the predictions failed. That theory is back this year with a new set of evidence and convictions. The realty is though, if I believed even half of what was being offered up as gospel I wouldn’t actually be at the trade show, and neither would anyone else.