Cigar Events

[RaschNuts]

Not sure if this is the best spot to post this, If not please let me know.

A few months ago someone posted a thread wondering where they can find cigar events that are going on near them. It gave me the idea to create a website that lists any and all events across the country.

I have only been working on this for about a week now, Mostly on the weekends. Its not 100% complete but as you can see there are several events in April and May that you might not be aware of and wanted to start getting the word out.

The web site is www.herfevents.com Please check it out and give me your input either PM or in this thread.

Also if you know of events going on or think your local B&M would be interested in keeping me up to date. E-mail events@herfevents.com.

 

[mwlabel]

I must say I like the idea!

 

[TravelingJ]

I like the idea, but that layout is rough! Sorry, but I'm not going to sift through a giant list to try to find something in a state I might be in. It's just not efficient.

 

[RaschNuts]

I like the idea, but that layout is rough! Sorry, but I'm not going to sift through a giant list to try to find something in a state I might be in. It's just not efficient.

im still working on it. i will have a list for every state up shortly as well. So you can search 3 different ways.

Right now on most brand websites you have to search through a giant list.

any suggestions to make it easier to search please let me know.

 

[danthebugman]

Cool idea, not sure how practical it is :dunno:. Personally I don't have that many B&M's around and when there's something going down I tend to hear about it either from their website, newsletter/e-mail, Facebook, or BOTL. I'm not usually traveling much, but it may appeal to those that do so they can find events that may be where they're at.

Dan

 

[Hawgmauler]

I have the site bookmarked. I'll be checking it out. Good luck with it.

 

[RaschNuts]

Cool idea, not sure how practical it is :dunno:. Personally I don't have that many B&M's around and when there's something going down I tend to hear about it either from their website, newsletter/e-mail, Facebook, or BOTL. I'm not usually traveling much, but it may appeal to those that do so they can find events that may be where they're at.

Dan

I think there are gonna be a hand full of people that dont really need this because they are in a similar situation... But i think there are a lot of people out there that stay in their local group, and there might be a B&M an hr away or so that they wouldnt know something was going on unless they see it on a site like this.

Only time will tell.

 

[musicman]

RN, Get a hold of these cigar manufactures and tell them your plan. They can send you their schedules and updates and you can add them to your site as they come in. cigar cyclopedia had this format in a PDF. The PDF was 5 pages max, alpha by state. Worked great IMO.

 

[surfish1961]

I like the idea but do you have to be a b&m to get listed. We have a group that will be getting together near every Wednesday night now that our smoking place is reopening. We're always looking for new B'sOTL to join us for a smoke or two.

 

[JNT]

Good idea. Go with it

 

[RaschNuts]

surfish you have a PM

 

[surfish1961]

surfish you have a PM

Thanks.

 

[tx_tuff]

Does sound like a good idea, but may be harder to execute then you think it is. For one I don't think this is something that could be done correct if you just work on it on weekends. If you are going to run a site like this for people to use then it needs to be up to date all the time!! I don't think that could be done by only updating on weekends. Plus would prob take all weekend just to find all events.

If for example I use your site to find events and I miss some event with a manufacturer I have been wanting to meet because the site wasn't up to date good enough, then I'm going to tell all my friends how your site is no good because it doesn't stay updated.

Another thing is most B&Ms have a core group of people that always visit that B&M. So they know what is going on there, they don't go to other B&Ms for events. There is another group of core smokers that love one or more brands and only go to those events. They keep up with them on their site or twitter and make those events. In other words I'm thinking this is a small targeted group of people that would use the site.

There is a site out there that goes about things a different way. It is member driven and how it works is the members adds to the database places that you can smoke inside in their area, then they can also add events. This way if you are going out of town somewhere you can find B&Ms, and places to smoke ahead of time before you get there. You can also add your herf clubs to it. Keep track of everything all in one place. www.cigarfriendly.us

By the way I'm not saying your idea is bad, I'm just saying it may be more work then you at first think it is.

 

[Pietastervw]

I like the idea, but that layout is rough! Sorry, but I'm not going to sift through a giant list to try to find something in a state I might be in. It's just not efficient.

Ctrl+F type state name

I like it makes me wish I lived in a place where stuff actually happens.

 

[RaschNuts]

TX
I appreciate the input.

But i do plan on working on this nights and weekends. I have signed up for any and all newsletters i can so i can be updated. Also i am reaching out to industry sources to e-mail me as well. Eventually i am hoping that B&M's and manufacturers e-mail me on a regular basis to updat the site.

Regarding the core groups issue. i agree there are core groups that are in the know. But i found that some B&M's had events that some Manufacturer websites didnt have posted and vice versa. Also what about all the noobs that are getting into this great hobby. Might not be in any of those core groups or in an area where a B&M isnt that close but he might be willing to drive an hr or two to have a good time.

I did a quick look at the Cigarfriendly site, as far as posted events on the event tab there appeared to be only a handfull listed. I do plan on having a Forum on this site to let people log in and post a group of guys that get together on a regular basis and list them on the site as well as communicate rides etc...

 

[TravelingJ]

Ctrl+F type state name

I like it makes me wish I lived in a place where stuff actually happens.

That's absurd. I'll stick to finding events out by reading emails from B&M's I hit, before I go to a site and do that all the time.

It has potential, just needs to be arranged differently. When you click to search by state it needs to be map based, not list based. Or a search by zip code. Texas is a big state, and just because I'm working in Houston, doesn't mean I need to see all the events in San Antonio, etc. I think the people willing to travel, will be searching by brand instead of state, though.

Also, I'd personally be interested in details on the event. I'm not likely to go to a Pepin event, unless someone from the Pepin family will be there.

 

[tx_tuff]

That's absurd. I'll stick to finding events out by reading emails from B&M's I hit, before I go to a site and do that all the time.

It has potential, just needs to be arranged differently. When you click to search by state it needs to be map based, not list based. Or a search by zip code. Texas is a big state, and just because I'm working in Houston, doesn't mean I need to see all the events in San Antonio, etc. I think the people willing to travel, will be searching by brand instead of state, though.

Also, I'd personally be interested in details on the event. I'm not likely to go to a Pepin event, unless someone from the Pepin family will be there.

All great ideas!

 

[RaschNuts]

All Valid points.

Alot of the sites dont list to much about the event or whos there. From what i have found. If there is information to be posted on the event i try to do that.

I am not a website developer just a guy who thought this would be a good idea. I am using a program for mac that has pre made themes and you add data. I am currently still learning the ins and outs. And hopefully will be able to do a search by ZIP or the map to click by state.

 

[tx_tuff]

All Valid points.

Alot of the sites dont list to much about the event or whos there. From what i have found. If there is information to be posted on the event i try to do that.

I am not a website developer just a guy who thought this would be a good idea. I am using a program for mac that has pre made themes and you add data. I am currently still learning the ins and outs. And hopefully will be able to do a search by ZIP or the map to click by state.

This is part of what I was talking about, how hard and how much work it will take to do it right. If it doesn't include everything and is easy to use then what is the point of using it. Not dogging you out at all just laying down the truth.

 

[cmhicksusmc]

Great Idea!!!