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Tag: Premium Cigar Association

  • PCA Announces New Board

    PCA Announces New Board

    The Premium Cigar Association announced the results of its latest Board of Directors election, with Brandon Hayes of Renegade Cigars in Dallas, Paul Copeland of Shore Thing Cigars (Florida and Alabama), and Michael Frey of the CigarBox in Las Vegas, elected to new three-year terms. Teresa Wessling of Georgetown (D.C.) Tobacco and Christian Eiroa of C.L.E. Cigars were re-elected to additional terms. The newly elected directors will be formally approved by the association’s membership on April 16 at the PCA 2026 trade show in New Orleans.

    PCA leadership said the association recorded its strongest membership, attendance, and revenue growth in a decade in 2025 and noted increased participation in this year’s board election.

  • PCA’s Tips for Posting Industry-Related Material on Social Media

    PCA’s Tips for Posting Industry-Related Material on Social Media

    The Premium Cigar Association (PCA) published an article focused on posting tobacco-related content on social media, saying Meta (the parent company of Facebook and Instagram) has intensified enforcement around content linked to regulated industries, increasingly limiting the reach and visibility of posts even when they do not clearly violate written policies. Much of this tightening, the article says, is driven by automated and AI-based moderation systems and evolving internal standards, resulting in reduced feed placement, recommendation blocks, or suppressed exposure without clear warnings. While this creates challenges, accounts are still able to post if they adapt their approach to align with Meta’s enforcement environment.

    The PCA advised shifting away from direct product promotion toward lifestyle, educational, and community-focused content, while avoiding explicit sales language, pricing, or calls to purchase. Using neutral captions, lifestyle imagery, and modest hashtags can help reduce enforcement risk, though inconsistencies remain common. Given the unpredictability of social platforms, businesses are also encouraged to diversify communication by strengthening owned channels such as websites, email newsletters, SMS lists, and in-store engagement, with storytelling and education proving most effective for sustaining audience connection.

  • PCA26 Registration Opens

    PCA26 Registration Opens

    The Premium Cigar Association announced that registration is open for its trade show, taking place April 17–20 in New Orleans. Open exclusively to current 2026 PCA members, the event will bring together manufacturers, retailers, and industry partners for four days of business, education, networking, and advocacy, with opportunities to discover new products, strengthen industry relationships, and take part in PCA’s highly anticipated return to one of its most popular host cities. Full details are available at pcashow.org.

  • PCA Pushes Back on California “Unflavored Tobacco List”

    PCA Pushes Back on California “Unflavored Tobacco List”

    The Premium Cigar Association (PCA), joined by the Boutique Cigar Association and the newly formed California Premium Cigar Association, has filed comments opposing emergency regulations from the California Attorney General’s Office that would create an “unflavored tobacco list” following the state’s flavored tobacco ban.

    The PCA criticized the emergency designation as unjustified, arguing that premium handmade cigars do not pose youth access or public health risks comparable to other tobacco products. The group also raised concerns over the high costs, vague definitions, and extensive documentation requirements the rules would impose, potentially forcing small businesses and specialty cigar shops out of the market.

    “These regulations and fees are a needless and costly burden to our manufacturer and retail partners, that will have no affect on youth access, protection of public health, or enforcement of the existing flavor tobacco ban,” said Glynn Loope, PCA’s Director of State Advocacy, warning the policy sets a “horrible national precedent.”

    California retailers echoed those concerns, warning the rules could reduce brand availability, eliminate limited editions, and shrink consumer choice. PCA said it will continue monitoring the regulatory process and work with allies on next steps.

    You can view PCA’s filed comment on California’s Proposed Unflavored Tobacco List Emergency Regulations by clicking here.

  • 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.