Tobacco Plus Expo Getting a Name Change
LAS VEGAS -- Tobacco Plus Expo (TPE) will roll out the red carpet for convenience stores at next year's show, as reflected in the event's name change.
TPE will now be known as Tobacco Plus Convenience (TPC) and will get a new logo to herald the invitation and inclusion of any and all stores that carry tobacco products, according to Ed O'Connor, president of TMG International Inc., which produces the event.
"Convenience stores, which rely upon the tobacco category for 41 percent of their revenues, are a natural fit for TPE," stated O'Connor. "With a trade show floor featuring more than 270 manufacturers and wholesalers, TPE can offer convenience store attendees a comprehensive assortment of tobacco and tobacco-related products under one roof."
O'Connor pointed to the increasing popularity of electronic cigarettes and the fact that major cigarette companies are now entering the market to compete directly with their traditional product. Lorillard Tobacco Co. acquired blu e-cigarettes last year; Altria recently entered the market through its Nu Mark division; and Reynolds Vapor Co., a division of Reynolds American Inc. (RAI), just announced plans to expand distribution of its Vuse electronic cigarette.
TPE offers c-store owners and retailers the chance to review an array of tobacco products, as well as attend educational seminars on recent trends and top-of-mind issues around all the categories of tobacco, O'Connor noted. As the tobacco industry evolves, all channels of retail selling tobacco will be required to carry multiple brands and SKUs to keep up with consumer demand coupled with the pace of innovations. Hence, the show is expanding its focus by changing its name and logo.
"We are changing the name of our show from 'Tobacco Plus Expo' to 'Tobacco Plus Convenience' to reflect a rolling out of the proverbial red carpet to the convenience industry, welcoming them to join the tobacconists, tobacco outlets and smoke shop attendees we already serve," said O'Connor.
The new TPC logo preserves the familiarity of TPE – the “buyer show” – while symbolizing the show's mission, "It's all about tobacco business."
"Our goal is to maintain the activities and programs that respond to the essential needs of the retail tobacco communities we serve," O'Connor concluded.