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pattersong · 11-13-2014, 09:06 PM

My experience at Big Smoke 2014.

Thanks Dukeuni for all the great 2013 tips, which were very helpful while I attended this past weekend.

I thought I would add my 2014 experience to supplement your review.

This was my first Big Smoke, so I purchased the Friday evening event ticket. The seminars sounded really cool, but I decided this time I would just do an evening event and spend some quality over the weekend time partying with my wife.

I attended the event alone.

2014 Venue: The Mirage

-Same location as 2013. Personally, I really like The Mirage as as host venue. It's located in a great central Vegas strip location. It features a little place called 'Rhumbar':the best cocktail/cigar patio on the Vegas Strip hands down! The Mirage is also a 5 minute walk to Casa Fuente, which is a Big Smoke weekend must visit.

While staying at the Mirage, I bumped into Gordon Mott, David Savona, and Carlito Fuente several times. I had the opportunity to chat with each of them casually outside of the cigar event, and they were all really cool, friendly people.

Strategy

Line up early! I lined up at 4:30, which was 2 hours ahead of doors open. I was within the first 30 people in the door. It was a long wait for 2 hours, but I ended up meeting some entertaining people to chat with. This is crucial if you are attending alone. The line eventually went as far back as the casino by doors open. That's a looooong way back! Sadly, smoking was not allowed in the line.

While waiting in the line, they come around and scan your ticket, pass out the cigar booklet, and give you a wrist band. This was great as it meant you could walk right in and get started!

The first booth for pretty well everyone seems to be Rocky Patel. After about 10 minutes, the line for his cigar is HUGE! I went there first and waited about 5 minutes. If you don't get there in the first 15 minutes, the line will be a very long wait.

A room shot while I stood at the Rocky Patel Line. 1 minute after doors open:

Once I made it through the RP situation and met RP himself, I started walking around collecting cigars. One thing that could be improved is the location of the vendors. They are each numbered, but not anywhere near one another. If you try to get the cigars in sequential order, you will end up zig zagging all over the hall, and I imagine it will take a very long time to find everything. What worked for me was to work half of the hall at one time working top to bottom. That took me an hour to complete, and I then took a 5 minute beer and food break.

New this year was a mobile app that had the floor map. It was definitely handy, but I found myself juggling a cigar, a bag of cigars, ticket booklet, and a beer. It's hard to manage with 2 hands. The ticket booklet itself was a little tricky to manage at times. Trying to find the ticket you need and rip it out in advance of your arrival at the cigar booth is a must. It's a challenge with your arms/hands full.

Cigar/Booze Table:

Regarding the booze...there was no shortage whatsoever of good stuff there to drink. My highlights were the Ron Zacappa Rum & associated girls, Glenfiddich, and Guiness Blonde (Excellent beer).

After 2 hours, I had completed the cigar booklet and had a very impressive haul of cigars and cigar swag...hats, torches, cutters..etc.

At this point, Carlito Fuente was really working the Fuente booth hard, signing autographs and taking photos, so I took the opportunity to meet him again. One of the nicest guys ever.

Delicia "The Cigar Vixen" walked past me, so I chatted with her for a few minutes. She in on FIRE...and yet another down to earth, friendly person.

At that point it was time to go meet up with my wife for a cigar and a few drinks over at Aria.

Conclusion:

Many of Dukeuni tips are right on the money. You can go it alone, it just takes a little more time to gather the cigars. There are lines, but they're not that bad. Light a cigar and relax!

Show the vendors a little love, and you'll find yourself with some extra cigars and swag along the way. Many people just rush around on a mission for cigars. I found taking the time to introduce myself to the creators of the brand/reps handing out cigars was really cool, and they were all genuinely appreciative of the attendees.

I noticed people near the end don't bother lining up for some of the cigars. They leave their unused cigar tickets on the tables next to the exit. I scored a half dozen more cigars at the end of the night using one of the ditched booklets.

What I really enjoyed about the Big Smoke weekend was randomly bumping into many high profile cigar people around the Mirage taking it easy outside of the cigar event. It was so cool to introduce myself and chat with them for a few minutes. Each one was interested in where I was from and thanked me for my support.

Now to time put on a winter jacket and plan for next year!!!

11-13-2014, 09:06 PM	#18
pattersong Gentlemen, you may smoke! Join Date: Jun 2014 First Name: Greg Location: Toronto Posts: 100 Trading: (0)	Re: 2013 Big Smoke Las Vegas Review My experience at Big Smoke 2014. Thanks Dukeuni for all the great 2013 tips, which were very helpful while I attended this past weekend. I thought I would add my 2014 experience to supplement your review. This was my first Big Smoke, so I purchased the Friday evening event ticket. The seminars sounded really cool, but I decided this time I would just do an evening event and spend some quality over the weekend time partying with my wife. I attended the event alone. 2014 Venue: The Mirage -Same location as 2013. Personally, I really like The Mirage as as host venue. It's located in a great central Vegas strip location. It features a little place called 'Rhumbar':the best cocktail/cigar patio on the Vegas Strip hands down! The Mirage is also a 5 minute walk to Casa Fuente, which is a Big Smoke weekend must visit. While staying at the Mirage, I bumped into Gordon Mott, David Savona, and Carlito Fuente several times. I had the opportunity to chat with each of them casually outside of the cigar event, and they were all really cool, friendly people. Strategy Line up early! I lined up at 4:30, which was 2 hours ahead of doors open. I was within the first 30 people in the door. It was a long wait for 2 hours, but I ended up meeting some entertaining people to chat with. This is crucial if you are attending alone. The line eventually went as far back as the casino by doors open. That's a looooong way back! Sadly, smoking was not allowed in the line. While waiting in the line, they come around and scan your ticket, pass out the cigar booklet, and give you a wrist band. This was great as it meant you could walk right in and get started! The first booth for pretty well everyone seems to be Rocky Patel. After about 10 minutes, the line for his cigar is HUGE! I went there first and waited about 5 minutes. If you don't get there in the first 15 minutes, the line will be a very long wait. A room shot while I stood at the Rocky Patel Line. 1 minute after doors open: Once I made it through the RP situation and met RP himself, I started walking around collecting cigars. One thing that could be improved is the location of the vendors. They are each numbered, but not anywhere near one another. If you try to get the cigars in sequential order, you will end up zig zagging all over the hall, and I imagine it will take a very long time to find everything. What worked for me was to work half of the hall at one time working top to bottom. That took me an hour to complete, and I then took a 5 minute beer and food break. New this year was a mobile app that had the floor map. It was definitely handy, but I found myself juggling a cigar, a bag of cigars, ticket booklet, and a beer. It's hard to manage with 2 hands. The ticket booklet itself was a little tricky to manage at times. Trying to find the ticket you need and rip it out in advance of your arrival at the cigar booth is a must. It's a challenge with your arms/hands full. Cigar/Booze Table: Regarding the booze...there was no shortage whatsoever of good stuff there to drink. My highlights were the Ron Zacappa Rum & associated girls, Glenfiddich, and Guiness Blonde (Excellent beer). After 2 hours, I had completed the cigar booklet and had a very impressive haul of cigars and cigar swag...hats, torches, cutters..etc. At this point, Carlito Fuente was really working the Fuente booth hard, signing autographs and taking photos, so I took the opportunity to meet him again. One of the nicest guys ever. Delicia "The Cigar Vixen" walked past me, so I chatted with her for a few minutes. She in on FIRE...and yet another down to earth, friendly person. At that point it was time to go meet up with my wife for a cigar and a few drinks over at Aria. Conclusion: Many of Dukeuni tips are right on the money. You can go it alone, it just takes a little more time to gather the cigars. There are lines, but they're not that bad. Light a cigar and relax! Show the vendors a little love, and you'll find yourself with some extra cigars and swag along the way. Many people just rush around on a mission for cigars. I found taking the time to introduce myself to the creators of the brand/reps handing out cigars was really cool, and they were all genuinely appreciative of the attendees. I noticed people near the end don't bother lining up for some of the cigars. They leave their unused cigar tickets on the tables next to the exit. I scored a half dozen more cigars at the end of the night using one of the ditched booklets. What I really enjoyed about the Big Smoke weekend was randomly bumping into many high profile cigar people around the Mirage taking it easy outside of the cigar event. It was so cool to introduce myself and chat with them for a few minutes. Each one was interested in where I was from and thanked me for my support. Now to time put on a winter jacket and plan for next year!!! Last edited by pattersong; 11-13-2014 at 09:13 PM.