Intertabac 2020 is canceled

Intertabac 2020 is canceled. Several exhibitors of the largest tobacco trade show in the world have received confirmation that the trade show for 2020 is canceled. Even though the organizer was positive about moving forward two weeks ago, the cancelation is a fact. Right after the announcement that the organization was moving forward, many rumors started to spread. Rumors about canceled booths, rumors about exhibitors pushing for a trade show in the spring, and even cancelation.

With the current pandemic, and the uncertainty on what the summer brings, this is the only right call for Intertabac and the Westfalen Hallen in Dortmund could make. This is what we predicted last week. Several exhibitors opted for a new date in March, yet according to the latest news that is not an option. According to Intertabac, the next trade show will be in September 2021.

Reactions from exhibitors

Kolja Kukuk, Managing Director Europe for Rocky Patel Premium Cigars said “it’s sad but inevitable and the right decision, security concepts like wearing masks and distancing can‘t work on a cigar trade show, as it takes the entire appeal away”. Dr. Gaby Kafie from Kafie Cigars responded with a simple yet clear ‘safety first’.

The German distributor Kleinlagel is a bib exhibitor. All the brands Kleinlagel represents share the booth. Brands such as Fratello, Casdagli, King of Ashes, Gurkha, Black Label Trading Company, and Principle. Martina Kleinlagel told us “In this global situation with the uncertainties, the epidemic holds for all of us it was inevitable to cancel the Intertabac for September 2020 – because we don’t know how the situation will be in 3 months right now, but we would need the preparation time. For us a postponement to March would have been the thing we opted for, but as we hear the Intertabac will, unfortunately, stick to the September date. We do regret that we can not meet our business partners and friends this year. But our thoughts also go to the Westfalenhallen – Team in Dortmund and the Hotels and businesses there, which are going through a rough time with the cancellation.”

Stay tuned as we update this article with more reactions from exhibitors