[Editor's Note: To see more photos of the Cig Con West 2009 Main Event, click on the link for the OFFICIAL CCW MAIN EVENT SLIDESHOW.

With the VIP Dinner in the bag as a huge success, attendees and organizers alike, prepared themselves for the day-long main event at the first-ever Cig Con West.

Below: Vernon and Doc  meet for the first time at Cig Con West

What started out as an exclusively cigar-related event, evolved into a cigar and lifestyle event with, premium cigars, Central Coast wines, music, art, artisan foods, cars, and much more!

The resplendent venue in Paso Robles, California was ablaze with rich colors, textures and the warm temperatures of a persistent summer. With temperatures in the 90's  and a gorgeous backdrop, which included rolling grassy hills and a lake, the River Oaks Spa and Pavilion made the perfect environment for the very first Cig Con West.

Below: Garo Bouldoukian of Garo Habano Cigars

As attendees arrived to check in, each was given a goodie bag that included three cigar magazines, a VIP coupon book, passes for complimentary wine tasting, vouchers for cigars, assorted goodiees and a commemorative wine glass to use for wine tasting.

The event grounds took on a festive atmosphere with open sided tent structures and banners hanging from the open air pavilion. The Pavilion was the site of the food court, the silent auction tables and one of the two educational workshop venues.

The educational workshops were an idea that the organizers of Cig Con West were committed to. It was their belief that better educated consumers would be equipped to make better purchasing decisions, which is of utmost importance in the current economy, and would also become stakeholders in the industry as their knowledge grows. The event held these workshops throughout the day with experts teaching on various topics to the delight of the attendees. Such topics as How Cigars are Blended, How to Enjoy Cigars, The Art of Rolling Cigars, The History of Cigar Packaging, Port and Cigar Pairing and Cheese and Cigar Pairings, were some of the topics.

Above: Early birds checking out the booth layout

Below: Band, Funk 30 rocked the afternoon

Above: Cigars and good discussion at the Camacho booth

Below: Rene of La Aurora Cigars delivers a workshop

There was a VIP-only area with leather chairs and an exclusive pouring of Roxo Ports. In fact, full-service VIP ticket holders were shuttled to and from their hotels in a limo chartered by Cig Con West and provided by Timeless Limousine service. Just one of the perks of the full-service package.

Lunch, which came with the price of admission, was provided by "Dining with Andre" and consisted of Beef Stroganoff over rice and a salad with a brownie for dessert. While in the food court, attendees browsed the many silent auction items that were provided by our sponsors and whose proceeds would benefit the youth of San Luis Obispo County.

Below: Relaxing with wine and cigars in the VIP booth

During the afternoon, guests were treated to great music, courtesy of "Funk 30," a local band that streamed out technically pure music and sharp vocals.

By the end of the day, the first Cig Con West had provided attendees with great smokes, a plethora of premium wines, top flight education, a fine meal, a chance to bid on some great auction prizes and entertainment, all in a stunningly beautiful setting: the River Oaks Spa and Pavilion.

As first events go, this was a winner. It exceeded many of the expectations of the organizers. Any event of this size is a prodigious undertaking and the Cig Con West planning committee was blessed with many successes and was also plagued by its share of glitches. Nevertheless, the experience was truly memorable and many of the vendors and attendees alike were heard to say, "See you again in 2010!"