InterTabac Cancels 2021 Tradeshow as Coronavirus Cases Rise in Germany
For the second consecutive year, the InterTabac cigar and tobacco convention has been canceled due to the Covid-19 pandemic. The international tradeshow, which was scheduled to happen this September in Dortmund, is one of the cigar industry’s largest events, with its primary focus on the European market.
“Working closely with the industry associations and partner associations, the conceptual sponsors, the advisory board and the exhibitors… it has become clear that the vast majority are against holding the events this September,” said Sabine Loos, managing director of Westfalenhallen Unternehmensgruppe GmbH, the company that runs the show.
The decision to not hold the show comes as German Covid-19 cases are on the rise. According to a report from Reuters, Germany reported more than 22,000 new cases on Thursday, pushing the nation’s total cases to 2.7 million. More than 75,000 Germans have died from the disease.
Unlike the cigar conventions in the United States, InterTabac has a major Cuban component, as Habanos S.A. maintains a presence at the show. In the past decade, however, more non-Cuban premium cigar brands have been represented and the show has been growing steadily. According to the company, the 2019 show had 13,800 attendees. This number included attendance of InterTabac and its sister show InterSupply, which takes place simultaneously and is geared more toward tobacco production and manufacturing.
The next InterTabac and InterSupply trade fair is scheduled for September 15 to 17, 2022.
