Tools for Tobacco Retailing on TPE 2018 Agenda

MOORPARK, Calif. — The agenda for Tobacco Plus Expo (TPE) 2018 is taking shape, with two days of educational sessions falling into place.

The educational sessions on the first day of the TPE 2018 show will focus on "Building Your Business," providing information and ideas for growth in the ever-changing tobacco and tobacco-related industry landscape. 

The focus for each session will cover different categories of tobacco businesses, offering retailers and manufacturers the opportunity to explore relevant topics and new opportunities for profits within their business.

The second day's sessions at TPE 2018 will be geared toward specific industry tracks, featuring Tom Briant, executive director of the National Association of Tobacco Outlets (NATO), discussing compliance with Food and Drug Administration regulations. 

In addition to the educational track — which offers sessions, speakers, panels, and Q&A discussions on a variety of topics — cigar industry veteran Jonathan Drew will be the keynote speaker on the first day, as CSNews Online previously reported.

Drew is the co-founder and president of Drew Estates Inc. 

"Jonathan Drew is known as a visionary and entrepreneur within the premium cigar world, and we are thrilled to have him at TPE 2018 as a keynote speaker," said Ben Stimpson, managing director of Tobacco Media Group Inc. (TMG). "His insight into innovation, product creation, and building brands is second to none. With all the changes we are seeing within the tobacco industry, this is a great opportunity to learn from someone like Drew, who is at the top of his game."

TPE 2018 is the first tobacco-buying show of the year. The annual tobacco gathering will take place Jan. 31-Feb. 1 at the Las Vegas Convention Center.

"We've designed the TPE show to really support the entire industry," said Jason Carignan, chief marketing officer of Kretek International Inc. "People can come to the show and know that they're getting interesting info from expert minds, like Jonathan Drew. They'll find, explore, and buy the best products out there — from the tobacco to vapor to alternative categories, and overall have a great time networking and relaxing in our creative and enjoyable lounge spaces. We truly anticipate TPE 2018 as being the best one yet."

Moorpark-based Kretek is the parent company of TMG, which owns and operates the trade show.