2Firsts Interview With Asia Representative At Dortmund Trade Fair Glenn A. John

On September 12 at 2:00 p.m. local time (8:00 p.m. Beijing time), Jason, the diplomatic assistant of the e-cigarette professional committee of the and Public relation manager of 2FIRSTS, interviewed Glenn Anthony. John, the Asian representative of the Dortmund trade show.

This is the transcript of the interview:

Jason: It's been more than 2 years since the last Tobacco Show in Dortmund. How do you feel about it now that the show is finally back in the public in 2022?

Glenn A. John: Everyone on the team is pleased that the Dortmund Tobacco Show will be held once again. Dortmund is supposed to be an annual event, but the pandemic forced us to postpone it twice, which was quite disappointing. We sold out in March and April, and it's quite thrilling that the September show is sold out six months in advance! Now, my colleagues are eagerly anticipating the opening night of the performance.

Jason: Yes, I believe everyone is waiting to see what happens. How do you feel about the fact that the Dortmund Tobacco Show has a section dedicated to e-cigarettes and we're seeing new types of tobacco taking up more and more market share?

Glenn A. John: We have a huge show. The majority of our nine halls are dedicated to traditional cigarettes, however e-cigarettes are permitted in a few. I believe it makes sense to host a trade fair where the exhibits are relevant and representative of what we want practitioners to see and comprehend.

Jason: How is the e-cigarette section of the show different from the previous one?

Glenn A. John: Historically, Chinese e-cigarette companies served as incubators for numerous European and American e-cigarette brand owners. Many Chinese e-cigarette firms seized the position of e-cigarette makers and suppliers, producing 90% of the world's e-cigarettes. These e-cigarettes were labeled with different brand names for display in other nations. And today, more Chinese enterprises with their own brands are attending the expo, which is a huge success for them. I once read in a magazine that the majority of the top ten best-selling e-cigarette brands in Spain were Chinese.

Jason: And last question. So on the retail and brands, do you see any difference in their relationships and evolution? 

Glenn A. John: The Dortmund Tobacco Fair is a comprehensive trade show, encompassing retail, wholesale, and distribution on a B2B basis. On this site, you can also find distributors, retailers, etc. You will not encounter as many distributors or brands in another location. Whether you're looking for electronic cigarettes, regular cigarettes, or other accessories, you can find them all here. In addition, we have a manufacturer showroom dedicated to production equipment, machinery, supply chain, and other services.

Jason: Thank you for doing this interview with us.

Glenn A. John: You're welcome.