RETURN TO EUROTAB
On April 18, 2004, tobacco industry professionals from all over Europe, as well as from Russia and the Former Soviet Republics, the Baltic and Balkan countries, Turkey and the Near and Middle East - professionals from all of these countries gathered together to walk the halls of Targi W. Kradowie, in Krakow, Poland. They were there to attend EuroTab 2004, which proved to be the largest and most comprehensive showcase of tobacco products and accessories on display for a Pan-European audience.

Building upon the success of EuroTab 2002, which took place in Prague, EuroTab 2004 attracted more than 1400 industry members from over 50 nations.

“People obviously like our idea of having a Pan-European exhibition for the tobacco industry’s retail-distribution segment,” said Robert Lockwood, president of Lockwood Publications, publishers of Distribution International, Tobacco International, Tobacco Asia, Smoke and Smokeshop magazines. “Although distribution systems vary from country to country, slowly but surely tobacco distribution and availability to tobacco products are becoming more Pan-European and international. EuroTab seeks to be at the forefront of this movement.”

Visitors to Eurotab were greatly pleased because the exhibition hall was filled with products from around the world, many of them new to the European market.


Exhibitors were also greatly pleased because the key decision makers came - importers, distributors, retailers and chain store managers from Eastern & Western Europe, the Balkans, the CIS countries and the Near & Middle East. Asked if there would be another EuroTab in the future, Lockwood replied, “Definitely. We’re scheduling it for the Spring of 2006 and the host city will be Budapest, Hungary. Budapest was the overwhelming favorite when we polled our exhibitors.”


So mark your calendars and we hope to see you there!

U.S. Tobacco Cooperative

HIGHLIGHTS OF EUROTAB 2004
Here’s a brief overview of what could be found on EuroTab 2004’s exhibition floor. And remember, Lockwood publications would like to thank ALL of the exhibitors for making EuroTab 2004 the great success that it was!
  • At the helm of the refined Davidoff booth was Carlos Andrés, regional manager Central/Eastern Europe, CIS & Middle East. Davidoff has some exciting product launches in store for the European market, so expect to see more news on these products in DI in the future.
  • Villiger’s Tatiana L. Vogt, export marketing manager Russia, brightened up the Villiger booth with her great sense of humor. VILLIGER cigars, as always, were a big hit with attendees.
  • The distinctive blue packaging of J. CORTES cigars couldn’t be missed at the J. Cortes booth. The brand is now a global name in smoking pleasure.
  • Visitors were enticed by CITA Tobacco International’s cigar lineup of GOYA and CONDAL tubes. Paloma Moreno García, Cita’s account executive, Middle East, Central & Eastern Europe - International Division, was proud to point out that the company’s ALVARO ELEGANTES have become very popular in Poland.
  • Tobacco Factory S.A. Company had some new products to show, like CHRISTOBAL cigars, along with EL COMENDANTE DE LUXE EXCELENT, EL DORADO, and KOLONIAL.
  • John Middleton Inc. displayed its line of BLACK & MILD® Tipped and Untipped Cigarillos and PRINCE ALBERT’S® SOFT & SWEET VANILLA Tipped Cigarillos and PRINCE ALBERT’S® SOFT CHERRY VANILLA Tipped Cigarillos.
ROLL-YOUR-OWN
  • Altesse showed it’s main brands: ROLLING, MEMPHIS, ALTESSE and TRIXI, and its array of tube filling machines.
  • Gryson balanced traditional ryo tastes with new, cutting-edge developments.
  • HTH Tabak showed off its line of THE LIMIT ryo tobacco.
  • The BUTTERFLY ryo blends of Tobacco Network Traders Pte Ltd. were also popular.
  • Julien Rapine, export manger of Tobacco’s Imex S.P.A., pointed out that his company’s RS ROLLS - a cigarette paper in rolls - has been steadily growing on the worldwide market.
  • Op Papírna, S.R.O., by far, had the most colorful booth at the show - bright orange and blue. These are the colors of the company’s new line of “Party in House” ryo papers. The new line is sure to be a smash hit, as it’s aimed at a hip young audience.
CIGARETTES
  • V. Tabac Group Hungary exhibited its latest brands: MATRIX and DOVER. Their distinctive packaging cannot be missed.
  • VCT displayed an extensive range of specialties for niche markets - from the cheapest to the most expensive cigarettes in the world.
  • Hilton Tobaccos Pvt. Ltd. informed visitors of its role as the Bommidala BBM Group’s leading exporter of tobacco, cut rag, and cigarettes.
  • Bulgartabac had its whole range of cigarettes on display.
  • HTS Hongta Switzerland Ltd., in liaison with their agent for the Balkans and CZ, Weswaldi International, presented products manufactured under Swiss license in Asia’s largest cigarette factory. The lineup included MARBLE, ESTON, PLAZA, STRAND, BRASS and UNQUOTE.
ACCESSORIES
  • Baide International was on the scene with a great array of lighters.
  • VSK Cartrim Trading Co. Ltd. introduced its line of humidors that range from very small to very large.
  • Dr. Enrico Castelletti, general manager of David Ross International, was happy to show off his company’s cigarette minifilters.
  • Tristar Exports had a wide collection of smoking articles made from real leather.
  • Tung Fong Int’l Promotion Co. had a range of refillable lighters, ashtrays, and cigar accessories. Over 8,000 different designs are available.
MISCELLANEOUS
  • The Djarum booth was always crackling like a kretek. Lots of fun, lots of visitors. And the after-show Djarum-sponsored musical event was a big hit among attendees. A taste of Indonesia right there in Krakow.
  • A. Habeebur Rahman Sons Exports gave visitors plenty of its high-quality hand rolled bidis.
  • Blunt Wrap once again had a very popular booth with its unique tobacco blunt tubes and gourmet rolling tobaccos.
  • Tobacco Polska used EuroTab 2004 to launch the first issue of its tobacco magazine. It’s the first and only tobacco magazine that covers every sector of the Polish tobacco industry - from leaf growing to the marketing of the finished products.
  • Andrei Markov, managing director of Tobacco Review, met everybody with a smile.
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