Run by the Premium Cigar Association, the annual PCA Show is essentially an amalgamation and huge gathering of cigar manufacturers, retailers, brokers, suppliers, distributors, and sometimes the media. If you already know what it is, then you probably don’t need to read this primer. Otherwise, let’s light up and dig our heels in.
What makes PCA different from other trade shows or conventions?
If you know anything about video games or the gaming community, then surely you’ve heard of E3, or the Electronic Entertainment Expo. While permanently retired in 2023, it was an annual event held in Los Angeles to showcase new games, game developers, and pretty much everything related to the gaming community. It originally began as a business conference for retailers and game publishers before eventually broadening to include just about everyone.
Why am I talking about video games and E3 on a post about premium cigars? Because PCA is sort of like E3, only it focuses on the premium cigar industry. Where it differs from other conferences, trade shows and events is that it’s primarily meant to foster relationships between cigar manufacturers and the business community, including retailers, distributors and lounges.
That doesn’t mean that you can’t go as a regular civilian outside of the industry. It just means the primary focus is not to show off new cigars to the average person. Instead, it’s about building business relationships. That said, there are a lot of people at the event. From big brands and influencers, to suppliers and the press and media.
Just like the early days of E3, PCA 2025 is meant for B2B audiences. It’s not open to the general public.
As you’ve likely seen in the weeks leading up to PCA 2025, many brands have announced new releases, and new products. It’s not just the cigar manufacturers making tobacco, either. Accessory makers, humidor providers, and general distributors have all been getting involved.
PCA is a great time to see new cigar releases coming to the market, but also a ton of new products, services, and related opportunities. Most of the new cigars will show up on retail shelves within the next few weeks — we’ll be able to buy and enjoy them.
To get invited to PCA, any year, you must be a paying member of the association. Or, you need to work for a business that’s currently a paying member. Yes, it’s a members only event. Retailers, brokers, distributors, and suppliers each have their own badges to gain access and attend. It is a huge event and there’s a lot of media coverage. The primary outlets are sharing updates and information as we speak.
With all the coverage going on, it’s easy to feel left out or like you’re missing some incredible opportunities. But no matter how much you love cigars, there’s no need to feel that way. It’s not exactly the kind of event for cigar enthusiasts who love to smoke. Although, there will certainly be some of those folks attending.
Why isn’t The BS Lounge at this year’s PCA event (for those who are curious)?
I originally planned to attend PCA and secured an invitation late last year. Unfortunately, the outlet I was writing for fired me and laid off a bunch of the team shortly after. That’s precisely why I started The BS Lounge, because I wanted to continue writing about cigars and one of my biggest passions. The good news is that now I’m relatively untethered and can stick to my own values, rather than the enforced values of a media outlet I’m tangentially connected to.
Even though I’m not at the event this year, I do know a long list of people that are there, which is good for insider information, but also excellent for getting the lay of the land. Particularly, when it comes to the industry and the coming changes over the next year.
What’s more exciting is what’s soon about to drop after this event concludes on April 14. There will be a lot more cigars available on the market, including many new blends from brands that are experimenting or trying some new things. I’d go so far as to argue that, for many of us, the more exciting times are after the event when all of those new cigars land on store and lounge shelves.
Briley has over 16 years in the publishing and content marketing business. He's been writing about cigars for nearly half that in various forms. What makes him a tour de force is he also smokes them.
Source: Spencer Chow / Unsplash
Source: La Aurora
