Truly a buying show, this four-day event provides retail tobacco shops with an unparalleled opportunity to view and purchase a wide selection of premium tobacco products. Whether it's cigars, pipes, pipe tobaccos, smoking accessories, or non-tobacco gifts, retailers can inspect the newest offerings from the industry's leading manufacturers, distributors, and wholesalers. Many exhibitors also offer specials which are only available during the show.

Surprisingly, despite the dramatic changes in the industry over the past year, the Las Vegas show will be as big as ever.

"Over the last year, a lot of people had hoped that the 1999 convention was going to be smaller," said Ira "Bill" Fader, executive director of the Retail Tobacco Dealers of American (RTDA). "Truly, I would have bet money that the show would be smaller in 1999. As it stands right now, it won't be.

"A great many of our regular, longterm exhibitors have requested increased size, space, and presence in the show. Obviously some of the exhibitors that were there last year are long gone," explains Fader.

By late March, the RTDA reported 81 new exhibitors since last summer, dues-paying members wanting space in Las Vegas.

"I don't know how we're going to handle it, and that's where the problem comes as far as the number of people we're going to end up having," notes Fader. Last year, the Nashville show hosted 896 booths, and Las Vegas is expected to easily exceed 900 booths total.

Pre-registration for the trade show is required. Registration and hotel room reservations forms are available only to members in good standing with RTDA. Attendees are reminded to bring a photo ID to pick up their pre-registered badges in Las Vegas. New this year will be the use of magnetic, or "mag" cards, for registration. "Your badge registration will have a magnetic stripe on the back," says Fader. "You can swipe your card through a card reader. It will give [an exhibitor] all the information about you, and whether [you are] a designated buyer. It should make it simple and it gives our exhibitors a good handle on who exactly came into the show."

RTDA Member Benefits
Fader reports that changes are under way at the RTDA to better serve its members. "We're trying some new things," he explains. In addition to assisting retail members with cash flow and inventory control matters, the association is gearing up for additional legislative information dissemination. "I'm attempting now, to implement a program whereby we can get more legislative information out to the membership, in a much more timely manner," says Fader. "Hopefully, this will be in place and we can discuss it the further as we get up closer to July. We want to tract legislation, we want to help the retailers, we want the show coming up to be a first rate show."

A Vegas Adventure
Las Vegas, launched on a reputation of gambling, glitz, and superstars, has matured into a one-stop, multi-dimensional resort destination in the last decade of the century. From a humble beginning as a small whistle stop on the famed Union Pacific railway line between Los Angeles and Salt Lake City, Las Vegas is the fastest growing city in America; between 4,000 and 8,000 people move to the city each month.

Visitors strolling the famed "Strip" can witness erupting volcanoes, pirate ship battles, roller coasters, virtual reality attractions, water ballet sound and light shows, and replicas of foreign destinations. Showroom marquees announce the appearance of superstars and unequaled multi-million-dollar extravaganzas. Non-gamers will discover a unique and festive shopping experience and gourmet dining. Retailers and world-recognized designer names have added opulent and affordable shopping to the Las Vegas experience. Vast malls will aid any search for bargains, fine food, attire, domestic or imported merchandise, brand names, fine art, couture creations, and jewelry.

For more information on the 1999 RTDA Annual Convention and Trade Show, call the Retail Tobacco Dealers of America (RTDA), at (410) 547-6996, or visit the organization's Web site at www.rtda.org for full details, including qualifications for membership.

RTDA Schedule and Exhibitors List...

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