InterTabac and InterSupply are the annual highlights in the international tobacco industry. From 14 to 16 September, the exhibition halls in Dortmund will once again become the premier go-to hub bringing together market leaders, top decision-makers and trade visitors from the retail, service and manufacturing sectors from all four corners of the earth. Under its new guiding motto 'Together for tomorrow', the twin shows will focus on topics of future importance as well as issues currently occupying minds in the industry. The fact that InterTabac and InterSupply continue to be regarded as key forums for the industry is borne out strongly by the high number of exhibitors – both newcomers and returnees – with over 680 exhibitors now set to fill the ten exhibition halls at Messe Dortmund.

Dortmund, 14 September 2023 – Following last year's successful shows with a striking number of exhibitors and large numbers of visitors, the next editions of InterTabac and InterSupply are being held between 14 and 16 September 2023. Exhibitor numbers are up once more, and the shows offer a supporting programme which, as usual, will see numerous industry experts presenting their combined expertise in keynote talks, lectures and discussions. Trade visitors are set to benefit not just from top-class knowledge input across ten exhibition halls, but also from the unique opportunity to engage with top players in the industry all in one place – as well as trying out the latest creations and making valuable contacts. The range of diversity is equally impressive, with over 680 exhibitors from 60 countries presenting their products.

The global flagship trade shows will also play host to personal representatives from many different countries including Honduras, Panama, the Dominican Republic, Indonesia and Cuba, whose ambassadors and delegations will be attending the twin shows. The Consulate General of Turkey and the Romanian Chamber of Foreign Trade will also be present at InterTabac and InterSupply. This underlines the role of the twin shows as a hub for political decisions and for those who make them – because nowhere else in the world do businesses and trade visitors have such a comprehensive opportunity to talk to high-ranking representatives of many different nations and to exchange views on current topics and trends as well as the overall political and business frameworks for enabling the production and distribution of tobacco products and smoking accessories.

Spotlight on partners and associations

The importance of InterTabac and InterSupply is also seen in the wide range of partners and associations that are involved here, helping make this year's shows a huge success. They include the German Association of the Tobacco Industry and Next-Generation Products (BVTE), the German Cigarette Association (DZV), the Tobacco Section of the North Rhine Westphalia Retailers' Association, the German Smoking Tobacco Industry Association (VdR), the German Cigar Industry Association (BdZ), the German Federal Association of Tobacco Retailers (BTWE), the Independent European Vape Alliance (IEVA) and the German Shisha Tobacco Association (a.k.a. the 'Shisha Association'), the Alliance for Tobacco-Free Enjoyment (BfTG) and the German E-Cigarette Retailers' Association (VdeH) who will all be in attendance at the venue.

The Electronic Cigarette Professional Committee of the China Electronics Chamber of Commerce (ECCC) is also sending a delegation to InterTabac for the first time. The European Cigar Manufacturers' Association (ECMA), the Confédération Européene des Détaillants en Tabac (CEDT), the Cigar Association of America (CAA), the ERPA European Rolling Paper Association (ERPA), the European Smoking Tobacco Association (ESTA), the International Tobacco Growers' Association (ITGA) and the German Association of Tobacco Product Wholesalers and Vending Machine Installers (BDTA) will be attending. They all bear witness to the fact that the Dortmund shows will once again be the 'one-stop shop' for the entire tobacco industry in 2023. Also contributing to this will be new international partners such as new Chinese media partner 2FIRSTS and the Cigar Smoking World Championship (CSWC) which will be complementing the large partner network this year.

Sabine Loos, Managing Director of Westfalenhallen Unternehmensgruppe which owns and operates the Messe Dortmund venue, is looking forward to the up-coming shows: “Businesses, trade visitors and experts from the tobacco industry and the world of science and academia are convening in Dortmund to engage and interact, learn from each other and join forces in shaping the future of the industry. That's why the show's new strapline is 'Together for tomorrow' – because the future of the industry is something that is best tackled together.” This is borne out clearly once again by a large number of major partnerships. More than 40 years since the first InterTabac show, there are still many good reasons to visit the world's largest trade show for tobacco products and smoking accessories. And InterSupply – the international trade show, launched in 2015, focussing on the manufacturing processes behind tobacco products, e-cigarettes, pipes and hookahs – makes the line-up complete.

Mike Tyson at InterTabac
Trade visitors can also look forward to major international stars and artistes, with US multiple world heavyweight boxing champion Mike Tyson confirming that he will be following up his attendance at last year's InterTabac with another appearance this year, presenting his own collection at the FUTUROLA stand on Friday 15 September.

Experience the industry's diversity in all ten halls – classic segment in Halls 4, 5 and 7

The twin shows are spread across ten halls. A lot of space is being dedicated to the classic segment, which has been the shows' mainstay from the very beginning, with Halls 4, 5 and 7 featuring everything associated with cigars, cigarettes, pipes, pipe tobacco and fine cut. Exhibitors include Villiger Söhne, Karen Berger – Don Kiki Cigars, Kleinlagel, JRE Tobacco and British American Tobacco. Tasting, touching and, of course, smoking are not just allowed but strongly encouraged.

Point of Sale is the point of focus in Hall 6

The adjoining Hall 6 is the go-to place for retailers and wholesalers looking to discover what's new at the point of sale. A large line-up of companies supplying shop fittings, point-of-sale systems, press products, spirits, lighters and more will give shop owners an insight into current developments in optimising the use of shop space. Retailers and other interested parties can head there to obtain a comprehensive overview of current matters of interest and the latest trends.

Next-generation products – a key future topic addressed in several halls

This year's twin shows are also showcasing next-generation products again. These include heat-not-burn products, everything to do with vaping, e-cigarettes and e-liquids as well as potentially risk-reduced products (PRRPs), snus and cannabidiol (CBD). For example, vaping is the key theme in the Westfalenhalle and in Halls 1, 1b and 2, with some vaping-related exhibitors also in Halls 6 and 8. Over 150 exhibitors specialising either entirely or at least partially in this area will be presenting their innovative technology to the trade public. Exhibitors will include InnoCigs and InTrade Concepts from Germany, VapeDinnerLady, Pod Salt and Vapegold from the UK, IzyVape from Croatia, Smoore from China, Xtra from the United Arab Emirates and Keva Flavours from India.

One highlight in the vaping segment this year is the first-ever 'Get Together' being held at Messe Dortmund by the new Global Vape Alliance (GVA) on the evening before InterTabac kicks off. Initiated by the Independent European Vape Alliance (IEVA), the Electronic Cigarette Industry Committee of the China Electronics Chamber of Commerce (ECCC), the Vapor Technology Association (VTA) and the UK Vaping Industry Association (UKVIA), the GVA has set itself a lofty goal. The signing of the 'Global Vape Alliance Declaration' aims to coordinate global resources and promote sustainable development and collaboration between businesses in the vaping segment. 110 participants from 16 countries across four continents have registered for the Get Together.

Spotlight on shisha in Hall 8

Hookahs, shisha tobacco and accessories such as molasses catchers, adapters, charcoal baskets and much more will be bubbling and smoking in all shapes, sizes, colours and designs on all three days of InterTabac. For years, all of Hall 8 and part of Hall 6 at Messe Dortmund have been dedicated to this topic, and the up-coming shows will now feature the German Shisha Tobacco Association as a named partner for the very first time. Experts from the association will be helping the trade show team with preparations for shisha topic zone as part of the supporting programme.

Market leaders and industry representatives to present at InterSupply show

In Hall 3, the InterSupply hall, visitors can discover everything related to the production processes behind tobacco products, e-cigarettes, hookahs and their accessories. From raw tobacco, flavours and additives, processing machinery, packaging machinery, paper, plastic film and packaging, all individual processing steps are covered. At over 86%, the ratio of international exhibitors at InterSupply is very high. Another major partner to the twin shows also represented here will be the International Tobacco Growers' Association (ITGA).

Visitors enter all halls via three entrances and exits: In addition to the main entrance to the Westfalenhalle, the North and West Entrances to the exhibition centre will be open, as in previous years, enabling visitors to get to all exhibitors quickly and easily.

Comprehensive programme for trade visitors and participants

In addition to the numerous exhibitors, products and trends, participants can look forward to a comprehensive programme covering all current matters of interest and challenges facing the entire industry.

In the classic segment, for example, people have the opportunity to taste, smoke and drink at Cigar Pairings on all three days. The pairings – featuring a spirits selection provided by premium spirits and Mexican food supplier Sierra Madre – will combine international premium rum brands and premium cigars to create stimulating taste sensations. The selected products will be presented by Miguel Marcias, President of the International Association of Cigar Sommeliers (IACS). The pairings will take place in Newsroom 1 in the North Entrance ('Eingang Nord') complex on Thursday 14 and Friday 15 September (15:30 to 17:00 hrs, respectively) and on Saturday 16 September between 13:30 and 15:00 hrs.

People can also look forward to an exciting programme line-up in the NGP space. The Speed Fire Presentations on Thursday 14 September between 14:00 and 15:00 hrs will see NGP companies presenting the latest innovations in their industry in the London/Bruges conference room in the North Entrance complex ('Eingang Nord'). The same conference room will host the presentation of the Cannabis Trend Report on Friday 15 September from 11:00 to 11:30 hrs. Another highlight on Friday will be the panel discussion on 'Reduced-risk products: the next stage – insights from industry and experts' at 15:15 hrs in the conference area. At this panel discussion, industry representatives from major companies and experts will share their views and provide valuable insights on how THR (tobacco harm reduction) is developing in different countries and what next steps the industry should take. The speakers are Aron Byrne-Carter (NGP Trends), Dr Ian Fearon (McKinney Regulatory Science Advisors / whatIF? Consulting Ltd), Dr Alexander K Nussbaum (Philip Morris) and Dr Chenxing Pei (SMOORE).

In addition, Mercedes Vázquez and Daniel Green from the ITGA will go into more detail on the challenges for tobacco producers and the harvest situation in 2023 on Friday 15 September from 12:30 to 13:15 hrs. The venue for this also is the London/Bruges Conference Room. In further panels and keynotes, experts will be focusing on trends and forecasts for 2024 in all areas covered by the twin shows.



The varied supporting programme will come to a climax on Saturday 16 September with the ceremonial InterTabac Star awards where candidates are selected by show-goers and with awards going to the products attracting the most votes.

Sabine Loos: “We at Messe Dortmund are looking forward with great excitement to the numerous product innovations which are always on show at the event, and also to the opportunity to make valuable contacts and engage in conversations with leading people in the industry. I firmly believe that we're going to build seamlessly on last year's successes and underline once again our status as the world's leading forum for the industry.”