InterTabac 2018: Continuing 40 Years of Success

Staff Report

Celebrating its 40th anniversary this year, InterTabac established once again its prominence as the international forum of the industry, with 12,500 trade visitors and the highest percentage (45%) of foreign visitors to the show and a 4% increase from the previous year. Overseas trade visitors came from all over the world: US, Canada, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Morocco, Egypt, Nigeria, China, India, Indonesia, Israel, Saudi Arabia, UAE, Australia, New Zealand, France, UK, Italy, Austria, Poland, and the Benelux countries.

“InterTabac is today the world’s flagship trade fair of the industry which was confirmed again in 2018,” said Sabine Loos, c.e.o. of Westfalenhallen Dortmund GmbH.

Impressive milestones achieved

InterTabac 2018 also achieved other new milestones as it took over more halls, including the arena, of the Westfalenhalle exhibition center. The fourth installment of InterSupply, the trade fair for the production of tobacco goods and e-cigarettes, was held in Hall 3B.

A total of 625 exhibitors from 54 countries showcased their products and services at this year’s InterTabac, a 12% increase from 2017.

A visitor survey conducted by an independent exhibition market research institute found that 91% of the trade visitors stated that their visit to InterTabac was worthwhile. The visitors were also satisfied with the presence of market leaders at InterTabac and gave that a ‘good’ rating. The percentage of visitors who rated InterTabac even better than the year before increased.

The largest visitor groups in 2018 again came from the retail sector, followed by the wholesale sector and the industrial sector. The largest professional groups were again entrepreneurs, managing directors, and departmental managers.  A total 9 out of 10 are involved in purchase decisions at their companies in an advisory, co-deciding, or decision-making capacity.

The range of products and services at InterTabac was rated as ‘good’ by the visitors. Product preferences were also reflected by InterTabac’s extended range in the halls covering the next generation products (NGP). In 2018, visitors were mainly interested in cigarillos/cigars/cigarettes e-cigarettes/e-shishas, liquids, smoking accessories, and cigarette paper, NGP, and fine-cut tobacco.

The implementation of the NGP focus appealed to Dac Sprengel, managing director of the German Association of E-cigarette Retailers (VdeH). “I am delighted. The organization of the trade fair worked perfectly. The Westfalenhalle event arena was an exhibition highlight. The large stands attracted the visitors straight away. The trade visitors were very satisfied. They appreciated the large entrance to the e-cigarette area. Exhibitor business was good. That was the best InterTabac to date,” he said.

Dustin Dahlmann, chairman of the board of the German Alliance for Tobacco-Free Enjoyment (Bündnis für Tabakfreien Genuss), was also pleased with the dedicated NGP halls. “We are meanwhile delighting the trade visitors with e-cigarettes in three halls,” he said. “It is good to know that the trade fair takes the industry’s growth into account.”

Growing popularity for InterSupply

The survey revealed that 54% of InterTabac visitors wanted to also visit InterSupply. This is an increase of 6% from 2017. InterSupply 2018 featured 114 exhibitors from 35 countries. Visitors to the trade fair in Hall 3B were primarily interested in raw tobacco, flavors and additives, packaging materials, and machines for the production of e-cigarettes and tobacco goods.

Lutz Dörning, managing director, Hertz & Selck, said,” We liked InterSupply very much. It is a large networking platform. We also depend on contacts with other manufacturers and on sector information. Existing customers came to ask about projects but there were also new customers. We are satisfied with the 2018 trade fair.”

Dorothea P. Gleoudis, managing director, Nicos Gleoudis Kavex, said,” We were first-time exhibitors at InterSupply. It is a good trade fair; we are satisfied. The trade fair expanded and will continue to grow.”

The percentage of trade visitors who regarded this year’s InterSupply as being even better than last year’s increased, just like the rating for InterTabac – a clear sign of a positive trend for the young, promising trade fair.

The 2019 InterTabac and InterSupply shows will take place September 20-22. Already, 91% of the 2018 trade visitors already stated that they would come again in 2019.

For further information on InterTabac and InterSupply please visit www.intertabac.de or www.intersupply.de. For booth space bookings from China, Hong Kong, or Taiwan markets, contact October Multimedia, publisher of this magazine, at info@octobermultimedia.com, the exclusive representatives.