Tag: Premium Cigar Association

  • PCA and Cigar Academy Partner in Education

    PCA and Cigar Academy Partner in Education

    Photo: PCA/CA

    The Premium Cigar Association (PCA) and The Cigar Academy announced a strategic partnership to offer comprehensive educational programs and certifications for cigar industry professionals and enthusiasts. This collaboration gives PCA members a new way to learn about the cigar industry and its processes through online modules and in-person workshops.

    The Cigar Academy’s educational program has been designed and endorsed by cigar makers and professionals from the Dominican Republic, Nicaragua, Honduras and Mexico.

    “We firmly believe in the power of education to protect and grow the cigar industry. This partnership with The Cigar Academy will bring immense value to our retail members and our newly formed alliance,” said PCA CEO Joshua Habursky in a statement. “This partnership is part of a slate of new programs and partnerships where the association works with existing stakeholders rather than reinventing the wheel.”

    Founded by Ricardo Carioni and Thomas Gryson, The Cigar Academy is committed to delivering accessible and rigorous cigar education. “For all cigar lovers seeking authentic knowledge about the cultural heritage and artisanal traditions of the cigar world, The Cigar Academy is the ultimate source,” said Carioni. “Shared and accessible knowledge is power. Through this partnership, we aim to provide education for everyone—from cigar and nontobacco businesses to policymakers and aficionados—while ensuring that the true cigar culture is preserved and protected from misguided regulations.”

    “Our mission is to offer everyone direct access to knowledge and expertise through courses crafted together with those who run factories and farms of renowned cigar companies, done with precision and care,” said Gryson. “We are honored to have the endorsement of legendary cigar makers, and our goal is to lead individuals toward formal certification through their knowledge and guidance.”

  • Shannon Marie to Direct PCA Events

    Shannon Marie to Direct PCA Events

    Image: jirsak

    The U.S. Premium Cigar Association (PCA) has hired Shannon Marie as its new director of trade show and events.

    Marie’s first day with the PCA was July 15, 2024. With more than a decade of experience in the events industry, she has spent her professional career helping trade associations grow their event offerings. Marie will work with Lisa Cox, the organization’s senior director of trade shows and events, effective immediately.

    “I am excited to see the PCA’s team expand in a critical area so that we can provide additional program offerings for the trade show and events. I know that Shannon will be able to support Lisa in maintaining a best-in-class trade show and add other experiential elements to our marquee event and beyond,” said PCA Executive Director Joshua Habursky in a statement.

    Before joining the PCA, Marie held positions within the National Association of Federally Insured Credit Unions (NAFCU), including event producer (2015-2017), associate director of events (2017-2019), senior associate director of events (2019-2022), and director of events (2022-2023).

    In addition to managing and directing NAFCU’s conferences and events, Marie built relationships with vendors essential to the organization’s events, helped organize the budget, and dealt with contract needs and other tasks. From 2023-2024, Marie worked as a consultant with the PCA. She assisted in the logistics, contracts and planning of the annual trade show.

  • PCA Names Habursky as Executive Director

    PCA Names Habursky as Executive Director

    Photo: PCA

    The Premium Cigar Association (PCA) has promoted Joshua Habursky to the role of executive director. Habursky’s tenure at PCA includes outside government affairs consultant (2018), Director of Federal Affairs, head of government affairs, and deputy executive director (2019-present). Since May 2024, Habursky has served as interim executive director of the PCA following Scott Pearce’s departure.

    “For the past five years we have been able to work effectively with Josh to accomplish the goals of the association related to advocacy. We are confident of his ability to take on the additional responsibility of running the full association moving forward. This internal promotion is a testament to both Josh and the entire PCA staff who have been diligently working with the board to make the association a powerhouse in all departments,” says Scott Regina, president of the PCA board of directors in a statement.

    Habursky will continue to serve as the organization’s chief lobbyist but will work with internal staff and consultants to identify new priorities and responsibilities. The PCA will implement a new five-year Strategic Plan and is expected to announce additional positive changes in the coming months, including new hires to support the trade show team.

    Habursky has spent over a decade working in government affairs roles in trade and membership associations, including the American Motorcyclist Association, American Diabetes Association, and Independent Community Bankers of America.

  • Cigar Group to Reach Out at Party Gatherings

    Cigar Group to Reach Out at Party Gatherings

    The Premium Cigar Association (PCA), in collaboration with the Cigar Association of America (CAA) and Drew Estate Cigars, will be holding outreach events in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, on July 16, 2024, from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. during the Republican National Convention, and in Chicago, Illinois, on August 20, 2024, also from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. during the Democratic National Convention.

    “This will be an exciting time for the Milwaukee area, and our small businesses are ready to greet convention attendees during this special event and throughout convention week. We look forward to partnering with the PCA, CAA, and Drew Estate to unite people,” said Paul Groh, owner of Metro Cigars and PCA Executive Board member.

    The upcoming events will take place at PCA member locations: Metro Cigars Germantown in Wisconsin and Up Down Cigar in Chicago. These events will gather elected officials, candidates, and political figures from all over the country. Each event aims to bring together more than 100 people for social discussions on important issues, all while enjoying premium cigars.

    “It is important that the premium cigar industry has a presence at these key political events, and it is exciting to host an event for both parties at PCA member locations to showcase the essence of specialty tobacco retailing,” says Joshua Habursky, interim executive director/head of Government Affairs for the PCA.

  • Pearce to Lead Cigar Association of America

    Pearce to Lead Cigar Association of America

    Photo: GIS

    Scott Pearce will leave his position as executive director of the Premium Cigar Association (PCA) and join the Cigar Association of America (CAA) as that organization’s new president.

    “Scott is uniquely positioned to grow and bring innovative lobbying and advocacy to CAA. His depth of experience working in industry and trade groups and his most recent experience with PCA provides CAA a leader who is prepared to take on the difficult issues our association faces.” said Chris Howard, CAA board member and chair of CAA’s committee that sought out its new president.

    Pearce has over 20 years of experience working in associations with a strong track record of driving growth and implementing innovative strategies.

    His last day with the PCA, which Pearce led since 2018, will be May 24, 2024. In the interim, Deputy Executive Director Joshua Habursky will fill the vacancy and oversee operations in coordination with PCA’s executive committee and board of directors.

     “We are grateful for Scott’s time at PCA that saw transformative positive changes for the association from advocacy to trade show and especially grateful that he was able to work with us to hire an incredible team that will have a lasting legacy even after he leaves the organization,” said PCA Board President Scott Regina in a statement.

     “With change comes opportunity,” said Habursky. “Scott was part of a team of staff and a board of directors that resurrected an organization that faced tough times during the pandemic. The association is in a strong position and will continue to be the advocacy leader for premium cigars, host its world-class trade show, and grow all facets of its membership with our existing team.”

  • PCA Reflects on Successful Trade Show

    PCA Reflects on Successful Trade Show

    The Premium Cigar Association (PCA) held its annual trade show and convention in Las Vegas on March 22-25, 2024. This year’s trade show took place in the spring, a change from the trade show’s typical summer dates. With this change, the PCA saw an unprecedented interest in this trade show with an increase in the number of attending retail accounts and general excitement from attendees.

    “We were very excited to hold the convention and trade show in Spring after years of feedback from retailers and manufacturers,” said PCA Executive Director Scott Pearce. “The increased attendance, excitement on the show floor, and the number of high-quality events and education as part of the convention made PCA24 a great success and phenomenal step forward.”

    PCA24 had 222 exhibiting companies and welcomed nearly 2,200 retailers from 850 retail accounts, and over 5,383 total attendees during the span of the 4-day show, making this the most attended PCA trade show since 2016. The show opened on March 22 with a day of seminars, presentations and a special keynote. The team behind Handrolled debuted another installment in their documentary series, this time focusing on the life and career of Tatuaje’s Pete Johnson. As part of this premiere, Handrolled also showed a preview of its new collaboration with the PCA–a new series focusing on comedy and the cigar lifestyle filmed on location at select PCA retail member’s stores. La Aurora’s Manuel Inoa led attendees in a pairing session featuring the company’s 120th Anniversary cigar and E. Leon Jimenes rum. Foundation Cigar Co.’s Nicholas Mellilo gave a presentation on the Connecticut River Valley and its celebrated tobacco culture.

    Following the PCA’s annual meeting, Jorge Padrón gave a passionate and personal keynote on his father and his family’s 60 years in the premium cigar business. Cigar Aficionado’s David Savona then moderated a panel comprised of Ernesto Perez-Carrillo (E.P. Carrillo), Jon Huber (Crowned Heads), and Tim Ozgener (Ozgener Family Cigars) on their ongoing work and collaboration with one another that led into the opening reception.

    The PCA’s government affairs team presented Step Up Awards to retailers that have been greatly involved in advocacy efforts across the U.S.; the PCA also presented its first ever Best of the Leaf (BOTL) awards to a select group of exemplary tobacconists. The first official networking event for the Women of PCA, a new resource group launching with the PCA, helped close out the trade show with high attendance and interest in the group’s future work.

    Manufacturers also used PCA24 as an opportunity to launch new products, including the Padrón 60th Anniversary cigar, La Flor Dominicana 30th Anniversary, Macanudo Emissary España, Gurkha’s Tyson 2.0 Undisputed, and E.P. Carrillo Sumatra.

    “PCA’s trade show continues to be unifying event for the premium tobacco industry. The increase in attendees and sold-out show floor is a sign of a continued interest in premium cigars and pipe tobacco and PCA’s pivotal role in bringing together specialty tobacco retailers and manufacturers to grow this industry and its product categories,” said  Scott Regina, president of the PCA.

    The next two PCA trade shows will take place in New Orleans. PCA25 will be held April 11-14, 2025, while PCA26 will be held April 17-20, 2026.

  • Chalkey to Boost PCA Government Affairs

    Chalkey to Boost PCA Government Affairs

    Credit: Thapana Studio

    The Premium Cigar Association (PCA) has hired Richard Chalkey as its new director of Coalitions and Policy. Chalkey brings over a decade of professional experience from work in government and the private sector, according to an emailed press release.

    “The Premium Cigar Association has worked with Richard since his time in the West Wing of the White House through Congress and we look forward to having him join our team,” stated PCA Deputy Executive Director Joshua Habursky. “It is rare to find someone in Washington who has worked in the House, Senate, and White House –especially someone who worked four years in a White House and in the West Wing. We are glad to have the perspective and network that Richard will bring.”

    Previously, Chalkey served as the associate director of the National Economic Council and as the associate director of the Office of Legislative Affairs in the Trump White House. During his four years of service at the White House, Chalkey managed policy rollouts for the directors of his departments and in coordination with White House Senior Staff and Cabinet Agencies.

    Most recently, Chalkey served as deputy chief of staff for Rep. Nancy Mace of South Carolina in the 117th and 118th Congress. Prior to the White House, Chalkey also served in the office of former U.S. Senator Mark Kirk and former Congressman Rodney Davis, both of Illinois.

    Chalkey holds a bachelor of science in Management – International Business and a bachelor of science in Marketing from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. He is a U.S. State Department Gilman Scholar for studying abroad at the University of Hong Kong and currently is a May 2024 expected executive MBA candidate for the Darden School of Business at the University of Virginia.

  • FDA Appeals Premium Cigar Ruling

    FDA Appeals Premium Cigar Ruling

    Photo: poco_bw

    The U.S. Food and Drug Administration on Jan. 31 appealed an August 2023 court ruling vacating the agency’s decision to regulate premium cigars, reports Halfwheel.

    The court ruling stemmed from a lawsuit filed by the Cigar Association of America, the Cigar Rights of America and the Premium Cigar Association (PCA).

    In 2022, Judge Amit Mehta issued an opinion examining the rulemaking record and detailing the FDA’s failure to address evidence in the record showing that premium cigars have different usage patterns, with different resulting health effects, than other cigars. Mehta later ruled that the FDA’s mishandling of significant questions that the FDA itself asked in its proposed rule merited vacating it, as the FDA never made a nonarbitrary decision to regulate premium cigars.

    In its appeal, the FDA urges the court to elevate deference to the agency’s “scientific judgment” over its duty of explanation under the Administrative Procedure Act. The FDA also argues that Mehta should have sent the flawed rule back to the agency to fix it while allowing the FDA to continue regulating premium cigar retailers and manufacturers under the arbitrary rule in the meantime.

    In a statement, the PCA said it would be responding to the FDA’s arguments and defending Mehta’s opinion in a forthcoming filing with the D.C. Circuit Court. A hearing before three judges of the appellate court is likely to follow.

  • PCA Previews 2024 Cigar Industry

    PCA Previews 2024 Cigar Industry

    The U.S. premium cigar industry will face both challenges and opportunities in 2024, according to the Premium Cigar Association (PCA).

    In a commentary published on its website, the trade group details the issues it expects to impact its business this year.

    With congressional gridlock and narrow partisan margins in the U.S. Congress, the PCA expects few pieces of legislation to be signed into law in 2024. As a result, government action is likely to be more regulatory than legislative.

    In both the U.S. House of Representatives and Senate, active legislation remains a threat to the premium cigar and pipe industry that would result in massive federal tax increases. Standalone legislation exists in the form of the Tobacco Tax Equity Act and the Care for Moms Act that use tobacco tax revenue to pay for new maternal health programs.

    The White House Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs is conducting meetings and a review of the Tobacco Product Standard for Characterizing Flavors in Cigars, which would prohibit characterizing flavors (other than tobacco) in all cigars.

    In November 2023, the PCA raised several objections to the product standard and asked the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to remit the rule back to the Food and Drug Administration for further analysis. The Center for Tobacco Products (CTP) has since delayed the release of the final rule, which was expected in December 2023. Although the FDA is working toward completing the final rule in 2024, the PCA believes it could prove politically challenging to release a final rule that would deprive millions of adult consumers of their preferred product choice before the election.

    The FDA is also proposing new requirements for tobacco product manufacturers regarding their products’ manufacture, design, packing and storage. The PCA participated in many public forums and submitted written comments opposing the proposed rule, including its applicability to premium cigar factories. The rule is expected to be sent to the OMB in 2024 for regulatory review.

    In 2022, the Biden administration announced plans to develop a proposed product standard that would establish a maximum nicotine level to reduce the addictiveness of cigarettes and certain other combustible tobacco products. The agency has not moved on releasing a proposed rule, and the main question for the PCA is whether this rule will apply to premium cigars, cigars more generally or pipe tobacco.

    In September 2023, the Department of Justice, which represents the FDA, informed the court of its decision to appeal the decision rendered by Judge Amit Mehta in Cigar Association of America et al. v. United States Food and Drug Administration et al., which vacated the deeming rule as it applies to premium cigars. The decision is being appealed to the United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit before a three-panel group of judges. The case is expected to be argued in 2024. At present, the vacatur of the deeming rule for premium cigars stands during the appeals process. However, the appeals court may be asked to block the ruling while it considers the arguments.

  • PCA Debuts Advocacy Grant Program

    PCA Debuts Advocacy Grant Program

    Image: Olivier Le Moal

    The Premium Cigar Association (PCA) of the United States announced a new state advocacy grant program aimed at investing in state associations and their boots-on-the-ground lobbying capacity for the 2024 legislative cycle.

    The resources in the program approved by the PCA board of directors will be spent much like a match grant program where the state association agrees to match funding by the PCA, going toward hiring contract lobbyists to advance positive legislation or fight back against erroneous regulations. State associations must have a basic infrastructure in place and must meet certain criteria to be eligible for funding, including having an incorporated state association and agree to accountability and transparency with the PCA about where the funds will be spent. 

    “This is not only a way for us to support existing state associations and their advocacy capacity, but it also establishes a baseline for starting a brand new state association with the prospective of seed funding. This criterion is a blueprint to get started and to receive funding. Our staff will continue to support individual associations and retailers with strategy and logistics, and this is a new tool to help maximize that effectiveness,” says Scott Pearce, executive director of the PCA.

    Grant criteria include: having an incorporated and active state association; having an elected board of directors; having a designated treasurer with authority over accounts; agreeing to comply with PCA reporting requirements; agreeing to PCA involvement in consulting lobbyist selection process; agreeing to disclose any and all issues for which funds are used and for which lobbyist is engaged; and providing the PCA with the operating budget and amount and source of funds raised by the state association.

    “This year, our team has been extremely effective in the states and is reflective of retailers stepping up to defend their businesses. This state grant program is aimed at spurring this level of activity and, frankly, success moving forward. Each year, our team must evaluate our priority area, and in the past, our Vision 50 strategic plan focused on litigation or international outreach. Make no mistake, this is the year of the states,” says Joshua Habursky, the PCA’s head of government affairs.

    Applications can be submitted to the PCA online portal and will be reviewed by appropriate advocacy staff and the PCA Legislative Affairs Committee. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis and will reflect legislative/regulatory necessity in the state.