In light of the recent unfortunate cancellation of the Big Smoke CI, I would like to propose a southern city for the 3rd location for a Big Smoke. We have some stupid laws too, but I'm sure something could be worked out.
I'd propose the following for investigation: Nashville, New Orleans, Atlanta, Birmingham, Mobile, and maybe Jacksonville.
I think New Orleans is the best option since people seem to like it there for some reason, and they would appreciate your efforts to provide significant boost to the economy following Katrina.
Regards
This message has been edited. Last edited by: bamawrx,
Posts: 613 | Location: Alabama | Registered: November 09, 2006
It looks like in the near future CA is going to have to start looking at holding Big Smoke's outdoors if they still want want to hold them which is kind of sad. And during the summer months especially for the northern parts of this country. Because there is no trning back in this country when it comes too cigar smoking.
A postive drug story.<br />"Today a young man on acid realized that all matter is merely energy condensed to slow vibration and that we are all one consciousness experiencing itself subjectively. There's no such thing has death, life is only a dream and you are the imagination of yourself.' Bill Hicks
Posts: 93 | Location: Terre Haute. IN | Registered: May 02, 2002
I think New Orleans would be a good suggestion depending on what the smoking laws are there because it would indeed assist in helping to rebuild the economy there. I also think Florida might be another option. Florida has so many B&M's and US cigar makers there that I believe it might be the right climate to have the Big Smoke.
Gotta give CA credit for trying right up to the bitter end.
Gotta also give them credit for not charging anyone's credit cards until they were sure the event would take place. Classy.
Shame about Chicago.
But I agree with you guys -- I think CA should consider some second tier cities. You don't have to be in NYC, LA, Chicago, Dallas or San Fran to have enough people to sell out an event.
Case in point: the annual CigarFest held by Cigars International in northeast PA. They sold out all 2,000 tickets before they even went on sale to the general public. Last year, people from something like 45 states traveled to the butthole of PA to go to this.
I think CA could take a lesson there. Do a more casual event, lower the ticket prices and make sure it's in a resort area. For CigarFest, CI uses Split Rock. Rooms are cheap, golf is cheap, and you can do a whole weekend there for less than $500 or $700. Try that in Vegas or NYC.
I hate to gloat, but there is a smoker friendly municpality, right outside our nations capitol that would have been glad to host this event. VA is a state which shot down anti-smoking legislation and is home to a number of large tobacco interests.
Sadly, its been years (~6) since CA last came to DC, where it sold out the event in advance.
It is absolutely criminal (ironically so) that the Big Smoke was canceled here in Chicago. I applaud CA for the way they handled the fight, all the way till the end.
I'd like to see CA try to arrange a proverbial poke in the eye of the anti-smoking zealots where a couple of large tents are set up to host the event outdoors (I am unsure of the legality - if a tent still constitutes "outdoors"). Logistically it might prove difficult, but I know at least five people who would show up as they have for the last several years, and I'm sure there are a couple hundred others who would do the same.
If there ultimately proves to no longer be a way to bring a Big Smoke to Chicago, then I dearly hope that CA takes the grand event to another city.
"Don't like it too much, they're more expensive than drugs."
Posts: 520 | Location: Chicago, IL | Registered: September 19, 2004
I would think there has got to be good places outside of Chicago (granted, not as convenient as something right by the airport) that are either outdoors or private that could be rented out for something like this.
