InterTabac and InterSupply: New year – old strengths!

Record attendance at the Dortmund trade fair duo: more than 800 exhibitors on site for the first time.

The heart of the international tobacco industry is beating again in Dortmund from today: at InterTabac and InterSupply. And louder than ever before. This year, more than 800 exhibitors from almost 70 countries will be presenting their products and services to the trade and benefiting from direct contact with trade visitors, business partners and association delegations. In addition to the enormous variety of products, the trade fair duo also offers visitors a conference and event program packed with highlights and innovations.

Dortmund, 19.09.2024 – The exhibition halls in Dortmund will be the center for innovation, networking and the exchange of information on the latest trends in the tobacco industry until Saturday (21 September). The international exhibitors – including, as every year, big names and exciting newcomers, established industry giants and market leaders, returnees and companies represented at the trade fair duo for the first time – present the entire spectrum of the various segments. Top decision-makers, buyers and trade visitors from the retail, service and manufacturing sectors use this diverse framework not only to make contacts, but also to gain new impetus for their business.

Among other things, there will be the opportunity to obtain detailed information on current market developments and exchange ideas with industry experts on innovative approaches that could have a significant impact on the future of the tobacco industry. The industry get-together will be rounded off by a high-quality supporting program. This includes numerous presentations and discussions in which renowned experts share comprehensive and in-depth knowledge as well as the latest findings on current topics in the industry. Of course, there will also be plenty of entertainment: premieres and networking events round off the trade fair program.

In view of these positive conditions, Sabine Loos, Managing Director of the Westfalenhallen Group, explains: “Together with our partners, we have once again succeeded this year in presenting and bringing together the tobacco industry in all its diversity and dynamism at InterTabac and InterSupply. It is impressive to see how many innovative products and ideas are presented here. The large number of international exhibitors and the wide-ranging supporting program show once again how dynamic and diverse the tobacco industry is. I am convinced that we have once again created an environment that further promotes cooperation within the industry and at the same time paves the way for future developments. In this dynamic environment, not only can lucrative business deals be initiated and concluded. Long-term and trusting partnerships can also be developed or deepened.”

More halls and exhibitors than ever before
This year, the trade fair duo has reached a new record level: for the first time, eleven halls are occupied, with more than 800 exhibitors setting up their stands. The classic segment of cigars, cigarettes, pipes, pipe tobacco and fine tobacco is traditionally well represented. For example, traditional German companies such as Kleinlagel OHG, BOSSNER Golden Mile GmbH and Kopp Tobaccos GmbH & Co KG are coming to Dortmund. M. K. & Söhne GmbH is also celebrating its premiere at the trade fair duo. Of course, many international companies will also be represented, including some global giants such as J. Cortès Cigars N.V. Vandermaliere Cigar Family from Belgium, DREW ESTATE from the USA, Fabrica de Puros International from Honduras and Amarati Cigar Dubai from the United Arab Emirates (UAE). But newcomers such as HEMMY’s Finest cigars & more or StarkeZigarren.de from Germany, DJT corp from Spain or Tabacalera Juan de Leon from the Dominican Republic have also come to Dortmund.

Suppliers of smoking accessories and Roll your own/Make your own (RYO/MYO) can also be found in the halls of the classic segment. These include The New Ways B.V. from the Netherlands, the Chinese company Metex, Polyflame Europe SAS from France and Moosmayr Ges.m.b.H. from Austria. GIZEH Raucherbedarf GmbH and BIC Deutschland GmbH & Co. OHG are two exemplary representatives for Germany, and the Zippo Manufacturing Company has once again secured a stand.

InterSupply: From production to the end product in Hall 3
Suppliers of everything associated with the production of tobacco products, e-cigarettes, pipes and water pipes have found their home at InterSupply since 2015. In Hall 3, visitors can discover all stages of the production chain: from raw tobacco, flavors and additives to machines for handling and processing to packaging machines, paper, films and other packaging solutions, everything is represented. And all this in a highly international environment: around 83 percent of exhibitors at InterSupply come from outside Germany. For example, raw materials from the US company Universal Leaf Tobacco Co., Inc. or Hertz Flavors KG, as well as production machines from FLY-MAK from Turkey, for example. Packaging solutions from SWM Holdco Luxembourg and software for controlling and analyzing processes also have their place at InterSupply. Körber Technologies Instruments GmbH is one of the suppliers here.

The versatile world of NGPs
Next Generation Products (NGP) are still growing in popularity. The number of exhibitors at InterTabac in this area is increasing accordingly – there are more than 180 from the vaping segment alone. Visitors will find these as well as everything to do with e-cigarettes in the Westfalenhalle and Halls 1, 1b and 2 and the adjacent passages as well as part of Hall 3. Distributors such as InnoCigs GmbH & Co KG and FEAL GmbH from Germany, as well as manufacturers such as Voopoo from China, Pro Vape from Latvia, FLONQ from the UAE and the US supplier VGOD will be located around the Westfalenhalle entrance. Dinner Lady is particularly exciting: the Herzberg-based company has announced the presentation and launch of a completely new product category in the run-up to the trade fair. Visitors can look forward to seeing what innovation the company will announce.

The NGP areas of heat-not-burn and nicotine pouches as well as snus will also be exhibited in parts of Halls 5 and 6. Some of the best-known names include the Korean NextTech Group Co Ltd, ISMOD UK Ltd from the UK, House of Pouches from Denmark, the Finnish Premium Pouch Finland and Nicopods ehf from Iceland.

Success factors for the modern point of sale
In order to appeal to customers and promote sales and therefore turnover, it is not only a cleverly compiled product range that is crucial to success. An attractive store design and efficient systems are also essential. What retailers need for this is the focus of attention in the spacious foyer area of the North Entrance. In addition to displays, shopfitting, shelving, security and merchandise management systems and much more that retailers need, you will also find press products and spirits – everything that is needed for an attractive “point of sale” in the tobacco trade. Retailers and interested parties will gain in-depth insights that will enable them to keep pace with the constantly changing demands of the market and to design and optimize their points of sale accordingly.

Shishas and accessories in Hall 8
The shisha area with exhibitors such as the Amy Group and Aladin e.K. is located in Hall 8. From water pipes and tobaccos to disposable e-shishas and accessories such as hoses and charcoal, visitors will find everything they need to enjoy shisha here.

CB Expo is dedicated to cannabis
New this year in the cannabis sector is the incorporation of the CB EXPO, which was held in the congress center last year and will take place in the immediate vicinity of the North Entrance in 2024. At one of the leading events in the European cannabis industry, the entire process from cultivation to the end product will be presented. Numerous industry experts will also share their insights in the congress program. All information about CB EXPO can be found here.

Four entrances are available to visitors so that they always have quick access to their preferred area. As in previous years, exhibitors can be reached via the main entrance to the Westfalenhalle as well as the North and West entrances to the trade fair; a new feature is the opening of Entrance 1.

Partners and associations provide a lot of input
Several countries are once again present in Dortmund this year and are actively involved in the trade fairs. These include, for example, Honduras and the Dominican Republic, which are represented by their embassies. The Consulate General of Turkey, the country representation of the Dominican Republic and the Supervisory Authority for Regulatory Affairs of Hungary (SARA) will also be taking the opportunity to be present at InterTabac and InterSupply. Their presence makes it clear: nowhere else do trade visitors have such a comprehensive opportunity to talk to high-ranking representatives from many different nations and to exchange views on current topics and trends, as well as on the political and economic framework conditions for the manufacture and distribution of tobacco products and smoking accessories.
The importance of InterTabac and InterSupply also reflects the wide range of partners and associations, most of which have been involved here for years: For example, the Federal Association of the Tobacco Industry and Novel Products (BVTE) and the German Cigarette Association (DZV), the North Rhine-Westphalia Trade Association Tobacco Division, the Association of the German Smoking Tobacco Industry (VdR), the Federal Association of the Cigar Industry e.V (BdZ), the Bundesverband des Tabakwaren-Einzelhandels e.V. (BTWE), the Independent European Vape Alliance (IEVA), the Global Vape Alliance and the Bundesverband Wasserpfeifentabak (“Shisha-Verband”), the Bündnis für tabakfreien Genuss (BfTG) and the Verband des eZigarettenhandels e.V. (VdeH).

The Electronic Cigarette Professional Committee of the China Electronics Chamber of Commerce (ECCC) is also taking part in InterTabac as a delegation, as are Procigar – Association of Dominican Cigar Manufacturers, the UK Vaping Industry Association (UKVIA) and the Premium Cigar Association (PCA). The European Cigar Manufacturer Association (ECMA), the Confédération Européene des Détaillants en Tabac (CEDT), the Cigar Association America (CAA), the ERPA European Rolling Paper Association, the European Smoking Tobacco Association (ESTA), the tobacco growers’ association ITGA and the Bundesverband Deutscher Tabakwaren-Großhändler und Automatenaufsteller e.V. (BDTA) will also be on site.

Clear the stage for new and established events
Despite all the professional input, entertainment should not be neglected. On the first day of the trade fair, the popular Get Together evening, already familiar from previous years, provides the perfect setting for exhibitors to relax and network in a stylish setting. New to the trade fair duo is the networking event PouchXchange on Friday from 6 p.m. in Hall PA4, which is aimed at representatives of the nicotine pouch and snus industry. Also celebrating its premiere is the finale of the Mission Mixologist on Saturday at 1 p.m. on the stage in the North Entrance. Six candidates have qualified in advance, including at the EVO NXT in Málaga to battle it out in three rounds of ten minutes each for the championship of vape flavor compositions.

Also new this year will be the InterTabac World Alternative Awards in cooperation with The Vaping Group. This award ceremony, which will take place on the first day of the trade fair, is intended exclusively for alternative nicotine products, as such an award has not previously existed. Another highlight: the award for the most popular products directly at the trade fair. The InterTabac Stars industry award presented by DTZ for the most interesting products in the retail-relevant categories will follow on Saturday. In the cigar category, the Cigar Trophy Awards, a real industry institution since 1998, are scheduled for Thursday.

Expert knowledge for all segments
Visitors to the trade fair duo are drawn to Dortmund not only by the diverse range of exhibitors and the associated new products and industry trends, but also by the informative supporting program. From specialist presentations and discussions to interactive workshops and networking events – the program offers trade fair visitors valuable insights, opportunities to exchange ideas and the chance to find out about the future of the industry.

The panel discussion “Global Trends in Tobacco Farmers Productivity” on Friday is an example of the classic segment. Eight experts will discuss the topic of tobacco leaf in detail from 12 noon. Visitors interested in NGP can get the latest input in the panel “Future of Nicotine Technologies: Innovations and Advances in NGP products“. On Thursday from 2:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m., four industry pioneers will discuss the trends of the future under the moderation of DTZ editor-in-chief Marc Reisner. The increasing interest in pouches is also reflected in the program. For example, in Dr. Erika Grandolfo’s presentation “Tobacco-Free Nicotine Pouches and Their Potential Contribution to Tobacco Harm Reduction: A Scoping Review“, which will take place on Friday at 2 pm. The audience can also gain valuable knowledge from presentations tailored to the retail sector as well as cross-segment presentations. Political measures and developments will also be extensively discussed. A complete overview of the program can be found here.

Learning by doing in workshops and masterclasses
The popular workshops and masterclasses such as the “Cigar Pairings” for combining cigars and matching spirits, the “Blending Tutorial” for making your own creations or the “Boveda Tobacco Masterclass” for the correct storage of cigars, which are already fully booked in advance, are also a must. The second InterTabac edition of the “Cigar Sommelier Masterclass at InterTabac” of the International Association of Cigar Sommeliers (IACS) will also take place.

So if you want to be at the forefront of the industry and are looking for a compact, bundled overview of all the important topics in the tobacco industry, Dortmund is the place to be. Sabine Loos emphasizes this once again: “The trade fair duo not only provides the numerous visitors, exhibitors and guests with an insight into the future of the tobacco industry. It is also the ideal place to expand valuable networks and establish new business relationships. We are well positioned and ready to continue the success story of recent years.”

The latest information, trade fair highlights and news can be found on the trade fair website, on LinkedIn or directly via the newsletter.