Tag: Tobacconist University

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IPCPR Trade Show & Convention 2010

Saludos,

Greetings, friends of Habana Port. In today’s post, we at Habana Port wanted to report on last week’s 78th Annual IPCPR Trade Show & Convention that occurred at the Convention Center in New Orleans, LA on August 9 – 13, 2010.

For those who are not aware, the IPCPR (short for International Premium Cigar and Pipe Retailers Association) is the trade group that represents premium cigar and pipe retailers. This organization is a major force in our beloved industry. This is text from their website that discusses the who, what, when, where, why and how about IPCPR:

The International Premium Cigar & Pipe Retailers Association is a not-for-profit trade association organized as the advocate for the independent retail tobacconist and recognized as the “Voice of Authority and Reason” on premium tobacco related issues.

The IPCPR:

1. provides its members with assistance to fight repressive and onerous tobacco legislation at all levels.

2. acts as the conduit to bring manufacturers and retailers together in mutually advantageous business relations.

3. makes available for its members information on resources, market data, research, services and product information which will help in the profitable operations of their businesses.

Since 1933, the IPCPR has been the leading association for the retail tobacconist, dedicated to protecting the interests of its members, keeping them informed about the industry and giving them the tools they need to succeed.

We at Habana Port attended this year’s convention to open accounts with cigar and pipe manufacturers and to place our initial orders. We attended a few seminars, made the CRA‘s “Great American Cigar Shops” group, had another CRT certification through Tobacconist University and saw old friends and made new ones. This is the time of year the majority of new products are unveiled as well. We had the chance to sample these new releases and we are happy to inform our customers that we will offer many of these new gems. Come back to our blog to see the new cigars and pipes coming our way!

All in all, this was a productive show for us and we know our customers will benefit from our attendance.

Enjoy a few of the pictures we took while at IPCPR.
What a pipe selection from Nording, the famous Danish pipe maker.
Hanging with Erik Nording & son behind Nording’s famous “large pipe made of pipes.”
Our newest CRT posing with Jorge and Chris from TU.
Our shop owner posing with Dion and Jimmy of Illusione.

Until the next post, siempre fumando,Habana Port

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Habana Port on CigarFriendly.us

Saludos,

Greetings, friends of Habana Port! Today we want to share with you a great cigar informational website called CigarFriendly.us.
This site is a valuable resource for those who want to find establishments that permit cigar smoking. This is cool because they have each place of interest categorized by what they are. Here are the different categories:
  1. Restaurants
  2. Brick and Mortars (that’s what we are)
  3. Bars
  4. Clubs
  5. Lounge
  6. Recreational
  7. Casinos
  8. Hotels & Resorts
CigarFriendly.us also shows whether each spot is certified as a CRA Great American Shop, IPCPR member and/or CRT (which we all are except for CRA but we’ll register with them soon). It’s tough to find a great spot to smoke a cigar. Where do you go? Now CigarFriendly.us can lead you the way and Habana Port is on there as well! Click here to view our full listing.
You can follow CigarFriendly.us on Twitter by clicking here.

Until the next post, siempre fumando,

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A New Certified Retail Tobacconist Apprentice

Saludos,

This just in, fellow fans of Habana Port… in order to be the best Tobacconist the Northshore has ever seen (nay, this side of the Mississippi River), one of our sales associates, Luis R. Molina has just enlisted to be a Certified Retail Tobacconist (CRT) Apprentice. By mid-August, the total of in-store CRTs will be two. In the meanwhile, Luis has to undergo training and studying before he can take a TU-administered exam in order to become fully certified as a CRT. In the meanwhile check out TU’s recognition of his apprenticeship right here.
For those who may not know, Tobacconist University is an educational resource for consumers and retailers involved in the luxury tobacco industry. Here is a sample press from their website:

Our Vision is to build and project the credibility of the luxury tobacco industry in order to gain cultural acceptance around the world. In that process, we create value for consumers, retailers, salesforces, and manufacturers while enhancing relationships, service, professionalism, credibility, and opportunities for the whole industry. Above all, we are preserving the luxury tobacco industry for generations to come.
A Certified Retail Tobacconist is the universal recognition of a Tobacconist’s certification and proof that he has undergone the curriculum and understands the codes and ethics set forth by TU. It takes many hours of hard work, training and education to become certified. Those brick-and-mortar shops that have an in-house CRT can be viewed with trust by the consumer as he knows the CRT will uphold the highest ideals of the Tobacconist trade.
So be rest assured, tabaco fan, you can count on Habana Port’s service, knowledge and values as we shall soon house not one but two CRTs within our walls and humidor. Until the next post,
Siempre Fumando,
Habana Port