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5/1/09 by Scott Bendett
Here we are at the Chicago Pipe Show and it is crazy. Funny thing is, this is just the PRE-Show! Tomorrow, the fun starts where thousands of pipers from all over the world get together and celebrate our hobby. Our booth featuring our own Russ Ouellette is the hit of the show with people very excited to meet him and talk tobacco. Pretty funny considering we get to speak with him every day. Come to this Wednesday’s Pipe Club Meeting at 6:30pm at the Albany store a nd view all the pictures of this unbelievable Show!
5/2/09 by Russ
Well, here we are after the Pre-Show and the first day of the actual show, and it has been awesome!
Bob and I headed out around midnight Wednesday and arrived at the resort around 2:15 local time on Thursday without incident (thankfully). We walked around and met or reacquainted ourselves with a number of people, and then crashed for a few hours.
I went down at 5:30 Friday morning to secure a table for the Pre-Show, and we set up. Shortly thereafter, Scott arrived, and people were flocking to the table to see the new items we had for sale. Lance and Rick then showed up and we finished up a very positive session.
Rick and I then went to the UPCA meeting, where we represented CDPC. I’m glad and proud to say that we are now well involved in this national organization, as I volunteered for and was accepted to the Executive Committee. We then made the offer of Pipe Club blends to the member clubs, which was excitedly received. The president of the club also asked us to talk to Scott about being involved in the Finance Committee. Rick made some really positive contributions to the meeting as well, and we left feeling great about our newfound status in UPCA.
Dinner was at a really neat regional theme restaurant called Portillo’s where we ate food that was bad for us, but tasted terrific.
We later opened the room to the public and had a lot of fun meeting old and new friends.
Saturday morning came early as we had to set up for the show. The crowd was a little light, probably due to the beautiful day, but we still saw a lot of traffic and did quite well. We retired to the hospitality tent, and after meeting with a number a folks we all felt a real feeling of excitement as we picked up some new ideas (which will take some time to develop, and we will let you know what’s happening as our plans come together). By the time that Scott left to go to the banquet and we went to a diner for a fun meal that ended with Lance being photographed in a compromising position with a bovine (look for pictures later). We went back to the room and had a great time talking about some thoughts about where we’re headed.
Finally, we stopped by the tent again to have some time with friends, and even more ideas developed. This year is going to be fun! I’m writing this at 4:45 am here (5:45 your time), and will try to grab a few hours sleep before opening the booth at 9:00 am. I’m sure there will be much more to talk about tomorrow.
5-3-09 by Rick (Smithy)
Wow, what a show! The first day was the dealer pre-show (expensive stuff!) Everyone was interested in Russ’s new blends and the co-branded Seattle Pipe Club blends. The UPCA meeting was an experience – serious business! There were by-laws to be followed, motions being made and seconded and passed, talk about bringing in new (younger) people to pipe smoking, new websites, using facebook and similar sites to draw in new people, possible discounts between member clubs… tons of stuff!
The room shows in the tower friday night were different. Obviously there was no smoking in the rooms, but some unscrupulous lawbreakers just had to go and flaunt their ideas of “freedom.”
Saturday we found a new pipe maker named Kevin Arthur who made me spend far too much money! He had gorgeous pipes in briar, olive, cherry, and apricot and all for extremely reasonable prices. Lots of tobacco was sold by Russ too. Everyone seemed to want to try something out of the hearth and home selection.
Saturday night in the smoking tent (the only sanctioned place to smoke in the whole place) there was a women who passed out drunk in her chair. Someone called the paramedics who took her away on a stretcher.
All in all it was one hell of a party!
5-3-09 by Lance (the estate pipe guy)
The show was awesome! Myself, Scotty, Russ, Bob, and Rick all had a blast. As with Rick, I spent way too much money and got way too many pipes! But then again, is there a such thing as too many pipes?
Habana’s “Hearth and Home” blends where a huge hit with event goers. But that’s to be expected, as they are the best around. We met many new and old players in the pipe biz. The event was akin to having briar overload. The sheer amount of great pipes and people was very refreshing. The giant smoking tent was comfy and even heated.
A very good time was had by all. I cant wait for next years show. Next year Scotty has promised that the PipesandCigars.com booth will stand out more than any display at the show. After tossing around many ideas I think hes correct.
Well, now I have the problem of where to put all these pipes! But if that’s my biggest problem today then life is good. Thanks to all who went for a great time.
Thanks also to Scott for providing the means for the whole thing!
