Tom,

It sounds like if a tour is possible it would also be a perfect time to hold a meeting. It seems like there will be a large turnout.

Sounds like it could be a good idea. I will look into it and post what we come up with.

I've been through the tour, and it rocked out, but I wonder how many they could handle.

you'll have to call and ask. But it really is worth it.

I spoke with Jeff from CAO today and he said they only do the tours on weekdays, but is going to see what they can do. I will let you all know asap. I want a Saturday, as it would be hard for everyone to do a weekday.

What operations does CAO actually have here in Nashville?

Their headquarters!

Oh they also house The CAO Escaparate a climate-controlled, walk-in humidor-in-the-round that houses over 400,000 prototype cigars.

Actually...that I knew. I was meaning more specific questions about what they have here other than just business offices.

Someone may correct me if I'm wrong, but I think that their plan is to make the HQ a destination spot at some point. I guess that is the long term plan. As far as a bar/lounge goes, they sponsor the lounge at the new Uptowns. It is not like the AVO or Diamond Crown lounges, i.e. no alcohol, but still pretty nice.

I agree, CAO needs to do some over the top lounge spot for night life. Small but over the top would be nice. However, I was once considering opening a bar. I met with a former bar owner in Clarksville who had been very successful. He asked me, "Do you want to know how to make a small fortune?" "Sure" I answered. He continued, "Take a man with a large fortune and get him to open a bar." Perhaps CAO is already aware of this.

Tom now that you have rubbed elbows with the CAO president do you think we can set this up? I think it would be an awesome experience. If you're not do they do daily tours or do you need to schedule it ahead of time...thanks

It has to be setup from what I understand.

As far as I know Tom is working something out with them. The two issues we have is they usually only do it in the middle of the week and we would probably have an unusually large crowd compared to their normal tours.

Tim, from CAO, wants us to wait until he can be there with us. We met him the other day and he was very cool! We did a podcast with him and his dad. It will be up very soon.

He is going to be gone through November, but they did talk like they were planning something big for us as a club, and on a Saturday!

Stay tuned, this is going to happen and it's going to be really cool.

Youdaman Tom !!

But would LOVE to go back... I actually got to go with a buddy who was doing a feature piece on the headquarters being based in Nashville for the City Paper a few years back. We got to meet Cano briefly that day, and Jon Huber gave us the tour, but my guy went back a second time to sit and talk with Cano, Tim and Aylin about the business and their family and why they came to Nashville. The idea of actually being in the headquarters for an international cigar company was pretty cool, yet it seemed very homely to be a world-wide conglomerate. I would love to go back again and meet Tim this time.

I always say there's never been a CAO I didn't like. There aren't too many cigar brands I can say that about.