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Abraham Maciques, chairman of Grupo PALCO.

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Compay Segundo’s hat, signed by himself and Fidel, was auctioned off during the 3rd Habano Festival’s gala dinner.

The Habano Festival has brought to the Havana’s Intl. Conference Center and Grupo Palco prestige, and larger national and international media hype, says the chairman of this institution, Abraham Maciques.

What does holding such events as the Habano Festival represent for the Conference Center and its image, since it has hosted important congresses and meetings?

Since its first edition 15 years ago, Habanos, S.A. picked us as its venue and we believe that it wasn’t a random decision. It was certainly thought and analyzed with all the rigor it takes, since such a sought-after and internationally-acclaimed product as Habano couldn’t establish a better association with an entity that’s so prestigious and a leader in its field.

That alliance has benefited both of us, but for the Intl. Conference Center it has entailed prestige, national and international positioning, promotion for our services and facilities; the possibility to welcome figures from all over the world in our halls, in terms of politics, economy, culture, education.

We have also counted on the presence of Commander in Chief Fidel Castro and important leaders of our government in the different editions of the event, as well as remarkable Cuban tobacco producers, such as larger-than-life tobacco planter Alejandro Robaina.

The Intl. Conference Center and all of its workers have witnessed the growth and development of this event through these years, and it’s now held not only in our halls. It also uses services and facilities of the PALCO Business Group, such as the Club Habana, El Laguito Protocol Hall, Pabexpo, the Karl Marx Theater, which undoubtedly gain prestige of their own by providing services for this event.

What milestones do you recall on this event taking place in your premises?

The Festival is a varied event, with many activities and it introduces new elements every year. Our premises mainly host the exhibition and lectures related to the Festival, and the Gala Dinner, apart from other activities where we provide services in and out of our Group. Due to those characteristics of the event, we could mention countless important moments, many anecdotes and the guest list would be really, really long.

But the presence of Commander in Chief in the Festival’s Gala Dinners is undoubtedly to be highlighted, and we can’t forget the edition when Compay Segundo’s hat was auctioned off.

We are absolutely confident about the presence in several parts of world, like priceless treasures, of several humidors that were sold under the gavel during those dinners and carry Fidel’s signature.

In your opinion, what’s the contribution of this Festival to the promotion and marketing of such a premium product as Habanos?

Having conceived the annual organization and celebration of this Festival, in the cradle of the world’s finest tobacco, was an appropriate and smart decision, and the results bear this out.

During a weeklong event every year, all Habano enthusiasts have an appointment in Cuba. It’s the Habano week, the best opportunity to get to know it better, puff on new vitolas, taste brands and feel scents. It’s the time to get in touch with new elements of the industry, gastronomy and arts linked to this aromatic plant. It’s the perfect space to taste an authentic and unbeatable Cuban cigar.

The Festival is that and a whole lot more, and it has made possible for a premium product, such as Habano, to be so coveted in every nook and cranny of the planet by skyrocketing its positioning and the outcomes of Habanos, S.A. management.

After the 15th edition of the Festival, what do you foretell for Habanos, S.A. and this event in coming years?

We predict a long life for both and, of course, the possibility for us to stay as the venue of choice for the Festival for many years to come. That’ll be an honor for the PALCO Business Group and its workers.