I just wanted to post here, and say what a great time I had. I convinced my girlfriend and her husband to attend with us, and they had a great time as well.

I went to both evenings, and the daytime seminars. Everything was outstanding. I did not smoke my Opus, I figured it was something I wanted to treasure for a little while. I noticed most people saved them. It was touching when that gentleman gave Carlito his bracelet.

The luncheon was outstanding. I still haven't figured out why they advertise it as a "buffet lunch" because there is nothing buffet about a gourmet meal like that being served to you. Our table host had to leave halfway through the luncheon, so that was unfortunate, especially when I looked around and all the other tables were still enjoying their table hosts and cigars. I would have preferred to sit with a manufacturer (preferably Carlito! ) but it was a treat to smoke the 42-year old cigar. Absolutely nothing against our table host, but he didn't have a whole lot to offer me personally, so I would have preferred a manufacturer, or even David or Gordon if it did have to be a CA person. Lunch was still great.

I doubt I even have to comment on the Charlie Palmer breakfast. YUM! He is such a personable guy, it amazes me. You'd expect a chef such as he to be kind of hoity-toity...but he's not, and he makes you laugh. Great guy.

Everything was a lot of fun. I'm sure you will hear a few complaints, that's par for the course. But everyone I ran into over the weekend that was attending said what a great time they had.

I can't wait for next year!

Sounds like a good time! Good to have you back. Now...that being said; send me some cigars!

TT...it was a great time, thanks for the welcome back. Would you believe that between my husband and I we collected about 150 cigars over the weekend.....but we smoked them all?!?!? Not buying it? OK, there's a Moontrance and a Tatiana in the loot bag I'd be willing to send ya!

quote:

Originally posted by SmokinHot:
OK, there's a Moontrance and a Tatiana in the loot bag I'd be willing to send ya!

Oh! Can't you just feel the love???


NOT!!!!

I'm sorry you were stuck with one of the editors at lunch (haha) but I'm sure the pre-Castro cigar he gave you helped ease the pain a little bit. And you're right--whoever dubbed it a buffet lunch was certainly understating things!

I was also at a table with one of the CA people (maybe the same one), but felt bad for the guy, since I think a couple of the guys at my table ran him off by complaining so much about not getting enough wine. They actually told him to go get them more cigars, since they didn't get enough wine. This was after being given a pre-embargo cigar. What idiots. I went up to the CA guy later that night and apologized. I don't blame him for saying he had an "appointment" he had to go to.

David, thanks for doing such a great job. Everything was perfect.

I agree with all that has been said, U all at CA did an outstanding Job again this year, I hit Sat Nite, yes there was allot of people, but we all got in and I was able to move around good inside, lines weren't to bad, the eye candy was outstanding at the booth.... , food was great,drinks were good, and the Seminars were outstanding..........For any of you who didn't go , U have missed it, it was a great time had by all......If Y'all get a chance to go next year ......GO GO it is worth the $$ and time to get there ...

quote:

Originally posted by David Savona:
I'm sorry you were stuck with one of the editors at lunch (haha) but I'm sure the pre-Castro cigar he gave you helped ease the pain a little bit. And you're right--whoever dubbed it a buffet lunch was certainly understating things!

Yeah, the Cuban helped a little.

To clarify, I have nothing against Mr. Suckling. He has a great job. Its just that my lifestyle is never going to be what his is. I met a woman from Switzerland who was so jealous that I was at his table because she would have really loved to have talked to him about Cubans since she has the ability. She was at Charlie Torano's table, so go figure....we decided we should have met earlier and switched!

Again, nothing against James, but if I HAD to get "stuck" with an editor () then I wish it had been Gordon (I don't think you or Marvin had your own tables?) because I would have loved to discuss the rating system and tasting protocol. Even you would have been ok. (Just kidding)

I had a blast....absolutely no complaints about the weekend. You go there knowing its going to be crowded, but you go there knowing you will have a great time.

Dear David (and Marvin, Gordon, Jack and all your staff)--Congratulations again on a great Big Smoke LV. After 7 years, I look foward to a new and exciting events every year. Is it just me or are the evenings getting more hectic and crowded? One suggestion I would have--you may have already heard this--have the cigar vendors' coupon book numbers prominently posted above their booth--would smooth the process.

Thanks again for a great time! The only other thing I could add (and I continue to plant the bug in Gordon's ear)is a Big Smoke Golf Outing!

I was really hoping to hear that things had inproved at the evening event, but unfortunately they sound the same...or possibly worse...given the increased popularity of the event. If CA ever decides to offer the weekend as a cafeteria plan (e.g. Evening = $175, Saturday seminars = $150, Sunday seminars = $150) I'll attend another. But I have no interested in attending another LVBS evening event. I really enjoyed the seminars and would gladly attend for the weekend to go to those, if they weren't bundled with an evening.