Oh no you won't

With the IPCPR show just around the corner I'm going to take this opportunity to clarify a few things. Some of you will like it. Some of you won't. But this is the way it is.

For several months now I've been listening to retailers, as have our sales staff, tell us "we'll just order at the show." For several months I have made it abundantly clear that whether or not Emilio Cigars would make an appearance at IPCPR would depend on a number of factors all of which are in a constant state of flux.

Folks, the flux has just hit the rotating oscillator, and I'm going to outline very clearly where we are on this issue, in part because I simply don't want to disappoint anyone, and also in part because I'm finally in a position, given the facts I have at hand, to inform you fully.

I have for many years worked for a wonderful family owned business and managed their premium cigar operations. They have generously and graciously allowed me to pursue my dream of bringing Emilio Cigars to market, often on their time and at their expense. Because the IPCPR show is unquestionably the most important event of the year in order to help them grow and prosper as I've promised them I would it is imperative that I not let them down in any way, and as a man of integrity I will not. I will attend the show, but as a buyer for the chain of stores I manage.

I had really hoped that I'd have someone trained to take over the buying duties for the stores at this stage, but it is a large task to undertake, and I can't just throw someone into it until I'm certain of their ability to handle it. That wouldn't be fair.

What does this mean? It means that we will not conduct Emilio Cigars business on the show floor, as that would be unfair to those who will be working so hard in their own booths, have paid for them, and have poured their blood, sweat, heart, and soul into their companies.

We will certainly entertain discussing our cigars with you after hours, but please understand, I will have pressing duties buying for our stores, so we'd really prefer that if you're on the fence right now, let us help you get the cigars in now, so that the inevitable compression of time at IPCPR does not shortchange you of the opportunity to get all the information you need before making a decision. We'll do our best for you, and hope you'll help us do so.

Remember, we will never short an existing retailer just to open a new account. The astute among you will understand and respect this, make the phone call, and come aboard while the opportunity presents itself.

At some point, as we did last year, I will cease to open new accounts, and this decision will be based entirely on how comfortable I am with the scale of our production as compared to our capacity to fulfill our promises to our retailers. We don't break promises. We promise those who carry our cigars that we'll do all in our power to help them, and we always will.

Now let's go get some stuff done, and get through this next few hectic weeks in a way that benefits us all.

Good luck to everyone at IPCPR, and here's to hoping for your future successes.