Based on Kimoni Jackson’s vision of the need for the city of Dallas, Texas, to host an event dedicated to the pleasure of smoking cigars, nine tobacco enthusiasts took on the mission of creating Dallas Smokefest, an annual celebration that shares the tradition and community culture.
For five days, cigar lovers from around the world experience a journey where luxury meets heritage, pleasure harmonizes with philanthropy, and camaraderie flourishes. It is a high-level event, previously unthinkable in the region, that sets a new standard of excellence in the field of national cigar conventions.
The organizers take their philanthropic responsibilities very seriously, supporting the Wounded Warrior Project, the Jimmy V Foundation, and disadvantaged youth from the Dallas Independent School District. Through fundraising and promoting these charitable organizations, the goal is to make a significant impact on the community, fostering support and awareness beyond the event itself.
Read in the magazine (rotate your device for a better reading experience):
– Can you introduce yourselves and talk about your perspective on organizing Dallas Smokefest?
Nikki Morris: As a Dallas native and owner of Absolute Cigars LLC, a mobile concierge cigar service, my focus on organizing this event is to unite the community and share our rich cigar culture.
Tommie Black: I am the owner of Cu’Noma Cigar Lounge, a venue with a traditional or classic focus where a first-class smoking experience is provided. What I bring to this effort is the question: Are we leaving a lasting impression on the participants? I run my business with that philosophy in mind, and this event is an extension of the lounge.
Chére Wright: Now known as Chére Smith, I am a co-owner of Dallas Leaf LLC, and my focus is to unify and create camaraderie among the cigar community in Dallas. After attending various tobacco events, I felt inspired and honored to receive the invitation to join the TEAM, which for me means: Together Everyone Advances More.
– What is the story behind the event?
Tommie: I had long desired an event like this for Dallas, and three years ago, I wrote a first draft of what I thought it should be. However, when Kimoni Jackson approached me with a concept of unity, I was positively impressed. He said a brand owner he knew had given him the idea, and I thought working together could be amazing. Then I remembered an old African proverb: “If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together”… and I committed to contributing to Dallas Smokefest what I had conceptualized, along with something of myself.
Kimoni: Definition Cigars owner Jamond Hackley asked me to bring something similar to what happens in Houston to Dallas. After thinking it over, I emailed people I considered influential in the tobacco community, and although two declined, seven accepted. I thought collaborating in teams would be key to bringing this vision to life and unifying our culture. Tommy and I met with Mr. Skip Cheatam –the biggest radio personality in Dallas– to support the initiative, which he thought was brilliant. He then asked if he could be part of the executive board, and he joined the team.
– What motivated you to be part of the organizing committee?
Nikki: When I had the opportunity to sit at the table with some of the greatest leaders in the cigar industry in Dallas, their passion and sense of community inspired me to get involved and help create something truly special. My role is to liaise with vendors and handle some administrative tasks.
Tommie: Once again, the idea of us coming together was the main motivator. As a businessman with many years of experience, the team has given me the responsibility of negotiating with venue owners and drafting and finalizing contracts. I also provide marketing materials such as presentations and brochures, which help showcase a high level of professionalism to potential corporate partners and sponsors.
Chére: There were several factors that motivated me. First, the interest from other smokers around the country to host an event in Dallas, and personally, it represented the opportunity to participate in an important movement. Additionally, when I attended our first meeting, I was inspired to find some of the most prominent local enthusiasts, and I am ready to support the unity, growth, and education of our cigar community. My role on the TEAM is as the ambassador liaison and content creator.
– What sets Dallas Smokefest apart from other similar events?
Nikki: Dallas Smokefest stands out by offering our guests more than their money’s worth through unique events that truly elevate the experience. We are committed to making every attendee feel part of something special, which is why our VIP passes are limited. This ensures that each person receives the promised comforts, from luxury car service to reserved seating at every major activity and three dinners… just to name a few.
Tommie: The composition of our team. On the Executive Committee, we have two lounge owners, two of the top influencers (Chére and Cigar Rockstar), a former Mayor Pro Tem and Dallas City Councilman (Casey Thomas), and a media legend (Skip Cheatham). If there was ever a dream team… this is it! Also, the strong focus on the VIP experience is personally important to me.
Chére: As an avid attendee of tobacco events and a major sponsor, I’ve been exposed to many different experiences that I’ve taken into account to develop a broader vision of our audience. In my opinion, Dallas Smokefest offers our sponsors an experience they haven’t yet encountered at other events, where class and luxury support that vision.
– What challenges have you faced?
Nikki: The biggest challenge was balancing my time between celebrating the event, managing my business, and being present for my family. It was a constant juggling act, but I overcame it by prioritizing tasks and setting daily goals. Breaking everything down into manageable steps helped me stay focused and keep moving forward on all fronts.
Tommie: When dealing with people from different life experiences, you inevitably find opposing viewpoints, but vigorous debate in the name of providing a great customer experience should be expected and even required. We began September with a sense of mourning, we could say, over the loss of Vinetti’s, a venue I hoped to showcase to the nation. It was tough, but we already have contract drafts in place to continue and make that night beautiful.
Chére: Like Tommie, I think we encountered some differences due to the varied personal and professional experiences of people, especially regarding their backgrounds in cigar culture. We overcame these challenges by having conversations and voting on the options we felt were best for our audience.
– Was there anything that excited you particularly about this year’s event?
Nikki: I was excited about the Masked Gala at the Fairmont Hotel.
Tommie: I’m happy to provide a platform for many emerging and established brands to showcase their qualities and passions.
Chére: I was especially excited about our Sunday Funday: A Tribute to Veterans event, sponsored by Dallas Leaf LLC. Its CEO, my husband and business partner, Ron Smith, is also a veteran, and I wanted to honor the four main branches of the armed forces with presentations, tokens, awards, and a special “thank you for your service.” We also arranged for Cigars for Warriors to be present with a generous cigar donation.
– What changes would you like to see the SOTL Global Movement bring to improve the presence of women in the cigar culture?
Nikki: I would love to see more community involvement in organizing events for the local Sisters og the Leaf.
Tommie: Being present is a special honor, and I’d be grateful if they included Dallas Smokefest on their calendar because it would give the local cigar community a front-row seat in their organization.
Chére: SOTL GM has become an important pillar in the cigar community, and we’d love to see more presence in Dallas. For example, nameing The Smoking Jacket Cigar Lounge as a women-friendly lounge was an incredible start.
