While work kept me from getting there until it was half done, I am glad that I decided to go better late than never.
I'm going to offer a picture of the event to those who weren't there so this may drag on a bit.
Firstly, it gave me the opportunity to briefly meet two fine gents from this board, EricDriscoll and the CPer with whom I did my first trade, Brian. We managed to say hello even though they were hobnobbing with Pete Johnson, Mr. Drew and some other big shots most of the night
. I look forward to a quieter herf with them soon.
As a cigar event, it was a herf on steroids. Perfect weather for an outdoor summer eve with plenty of place to stand or find a comfortable seat both under the stars and under a roof for those who preferred a/c. The swag bag was for the most part filled with sticks a cut above the stuff you get at events like the Big Smokes. Lavish h'oeuvres, a decent open bar though I'm at a loss to understand how you don't have mint leaves at a bar at a cigar event, and a large happy crowd made for a great party. Plenty of industry folks who made themselves very accessible throughout the evening. I mentioned some thoughts to Pete Johnson about some of his smokes and he immediately asked me to take his cell number so we could follow up!
As a cigar rights event, it was a good start. The short remarks ran from the Rah-Rah, we're mad as hell and not going to take it any more, to the sober and touching recollections of parents who came to this country with a dream and a talent for working with the pleasurable and social-centric tobaco leaf, to lamenting the days when citizens other than criminals had rights.
The only attempt at even a vague call for action came from Nick Perdomo. Even that was a general observation about learning from other groups that have been succesful at promoting their political agendas.
I was surprised to see that the only public official there was Congressman Kendrick Meek from Miami who semed to make the trip with Jorge Padron.
It was great to see so many retailers working together even if it was bit akward when so many of us seemed to be "loyal customers" to so many of them (At times it reminded me of the joke where two guys are having a drink at a bar when one says to the other "Helluva coincidence, my wife and my mistress just walked in here at the same time." To which his friend replies "What do you know, mine too")
Many probably would question, as I did at first, why there wasn't a more detailed game paln presented. However, upon further reflection, we're not ready for that. It was a great first step of bringing together and rousing those concerned. Once the resources and the people are there, then a legislative and political agenda can be hammered out. Then comes mobilization and action.
I don't have answers. But there is one thing that I regret not doing. For the next event, every one of us should contact every public and/or elected official that we've ever shared a cigar with and tell them they should be there or understand that their absence will be noted.
