PCA 2025 Pre-Game Part 1: About the Show
For the 15th consecutive year, the Cigar Coop Coalition will cover the Premium Cigar Association (PCA) Trade Show and Convention. Consequently, we take pride in being part of a tiny group of media outlets to have this distinction. Whether you’re attending the show in person or following along from home, our four-part series for the 2025 PCA Trade Show will keep you informed.
In this installment, we will review some of the basics of the show’s logistics and answer some questions about it. Once again, the Cigar Coop Coalition is bringing the combined efforts of Cigar Coop The Magazine, The Smoking Syndicate, El Oso Fumar, and Let’s Get Pairing.
What is the PCA?
PCA stands for Premium Cigar Association. The organization was founded in 1933 as the RTDA (Retail Tobacco Dealers of America). In 2007, the RTDA was renamed to IPCPR (International Premium Cigar and Pipe Retailers) and then renamed the Premium Cigar Association in 2019. PCA fundamentally unites the premium cigar and pipe industry, coordinating advocacy and promoting the entire sector.
The Premium Cigar Association defines itself as:
Founded in 1933 as the Retail Tobacco Dealers of America, the Premium Cigar Association (PCA) is the oldest, largest and most active trade association representing and assisting retailers of premium tobacco products and their suppliers.
The PCA represents nearly 3,000 retail stores who employ 30,000+ retail workers. As the only full-service premium tobacco organization, we fight for our members against onerous, business-killing regulations and taxes, provide business-enhancing professional development, and help strengthen business relationships through our best-in-class trade show and other business-to-business offerings.
The PCA is the premium cigar and pipe industry’s center of excellence.
What is the PCA Trade Show and Convention?
The PCA Trade Show and Convention is an annual event designed to highlight the activities of the organization. This gathering serves as a platform for cigar manufacturers to launch, promote, and showcase their latest products. Many exhibitors offer exclusive “show deals” to incentivize retailers to make purchases during the event.
In addition to product displays, the convention features a variety of educational seminars and social networking opportunities, with a growing emphasis on the educational component in recent years.
The target audience for this event includes retailers, manufacturers, and service providers, with all attendees required to be members of the PCA or invited by the PCA (with media personnel typically falling into the latter category). It is important to note that PCA Alliance members, which include consumers and non-cigar-related businesses, are not permitted to attend the show, a policy that PCA has committed to enforcing. The 2025 edition of the Trade Show and Convention will mark its 92nd occurrence.
When and Where
April 11-14, 2025
Ernest N. Morial Convention Center
New Orleans, Louisiana
New Orleans is hosting the Trade Show and Convention for the first time in a decade. The last PCA (previously IPCPR) event in New Orleans was in 2015, marking the last Trade Show held outside Las Vegas.
PCA Board of Directors
The PCA recently held elections for its Board of Directors. The winners will be announced and ratified at the annual meeting.
Smoking Policies
Due to comprehensive smoking restrictions in the city of New Orleans, some people believe that smoking is not allowed on the Trade Show floor. This is a misconception. You will be permitted to smoke on the entire Trade Show floor during operating hours.
As per PCA, “Attendees and participants of the PCA25 Trade Show understand that if anyone who may be associated with, or a representative of an attending company, is caught smoking outside of the specified times and locations or in the restricted areas, that company may be fined $15,000, removed from the Show and banned from all future shows. Additionally, PCA membership may be suspended until the fine is paid in full.”
2025 Agenda and Schedule
4/11/25 (Pre-Show)
Like last year, the PCA has moved the seminars, opening meeting, keynote, and opening party to the night before the actual trade show opens.
10am – 7:30pm: Registration Check In
10am: PCA Cafe (Coffee Area)
1pm – 1:45pm: Cigar Docuseries Premiere: Hand Rolled: Julio R. Eiroa
2:10pm – 3:10pm: Next Generation of Makers Panel (Lissete Perez-Carillo, Klaas Keler, José Luis Plasencia, Raquel and Patricia Quesada)
3:20pm – 3:50pm: Premium Cigar Association Annual Meeting
4:00pm – 5pm: Fireside Chat with Guy Fieri
5:30pm – 7pm: Opening Party (Mississippi River Heritage Park) – Sponsored by Espinosa Premium Cigars, Dunbarton Tobacco & Trust, Villiger Cigars, and Buffalo Trace Cigars.
8pm-2am: PCA After Hours Smoking Lounges (Manning’s Sports Bar & Grill, Cuban Creations Cigar Bar)
4/12/25
8am – 6pm: Registration Check In/PCA Cafe Opens
9am – 10am: Media Early Entry
10am – 6pm: Trade Show Open
4pm – 6pm: Happy Hour Cigar Lounge (PCA Floor)
8pm-2am: PCA After Hours Smoking Lounges (Manning’s Sports Bar & Grill, Cuban Creations Cigar Bar)
4/13/25
8am – 6pm: Registration Check In/PCA Cafe Opens
9am – 10am: Media Early Entry
10am – 6pm: Trade Show Open
4pm – 6pm: Happy Hour Cigar Lounge (PCA Floor)
6pm – 8pm: Stand Up Comedy Competition/Best of the Leaf Awards
8pm-2am: PCA After Hours Smoking Lounges (Manning’s Sports Bar & Grill, Cuban Creations Cigar Bar)
4/14/25
7am – 4pm: Registration Check In/PCA Cafe Opens
8am – 4pm: Trade Show Open
PCA 2025 Pre-Game – Additional Thoughts and FAQs
This year, we will focus the editorial more on logistics. Later, in Part 2, we will explore deeper topics and trends.
1. Will the BCA be back at PCA?
While no formal statement was issued, Cigar Coop confirmed with the PCA that there will not be a BCA Pavilion for 2025. BCA stands for Boutique Cigar Association. Founded in 2016, the BCA is an association of small cigar companies across the United States. Its mission is to promote and support small, family-owned cigar businesses that manufacture fewer than one million cigars annually.
After the 2022 Show, the PCA and BCA established a “collaborative relationship.” This partnership resulted in the BCA Pavilion, being featured at the 2023 and 2024 shows. This provided a common trade area for BCA companies. Neither organization has provided an official reason for the Pavilion’s absence in 2025. During a BCA podcast, “Protecting the Legacy,” representatives of the BCA voiced their dissatisfaction with the Pavilion’s placement and location, as well as critiqued PCA’s points system, which offers exhibitors preferential access based on their tenure.
While it appears the Pavilion is history, several BCA companies will still be exhibiting at the show, just not at the Pavilion.
2. Why did the PCA move from Las Vegas to New Orleans?
The decision to move to the spring was primarily influenced by the lack of flexibility from the Venetian Expo Center regarding venue availability outside the July 4th timeframe, which had posed challenges in the past. As a result, the event was relocated last year to the Las Vegas Convention Center (LVCC). Although LVCC was slightly more accommodating with spring dates, the final decision ultimately depended on availability.
3. Why are people saying New Orleans is not a suitable locale?
The cigar industry has a history of resisting change, becoming increasingly complacent during its decade-long presence in Las Vegas. Regarding objections to the move to New Orleans, I’ve compiled a list of observations I’ve heard (not necessarily Cigar Coop’s opinion)
- The city doesn’t want us as they have a comprehensive smoking ban
- New Orleans will not have a central after-hours hub
- The French Quarter Festival takes place April 10-13
- The city has a lot of crime (and had a terrorist attack)
- The city is expensive
In relation to items 1 and 2, PCA has been actively working to inform people about designated smoking locations. All reports indicate that the city and the convention center have been accommodating to the industry attending events in New Orleans. PCA has published a guide detailing where smoking is permitted and outlining the relevant policies. They have also addressed the after-hours hub issue.
The French Quarter Festival presents some uncertainties, particularly as it will take place during the first two days of our event, along with the pre-show day. Reports last year indicated an additional influx of attendees reaching up to 950,000. New Orleans attracts a significant amount of tourism, and the trade show represents just a small fraction of the French Quarter Festival’s audience. Unsurprisingly then, I have not heard of any issues regarding hotel or flight availability.
While crime is a concern in many cities, it is essential to recognize that New Orleans frequently hosts numerous conventions. The recent terrorist attack will likely result in heightened security measures, especially during large events like the French Quarter Festival.
Regarding the costs of food and accommodations, cities with a strong tourism presence tend to be expensive. Therefore, it is puzzling that anyone would expect New Orleans to be any different.
4. What about after-hours?
For many years, the old Laguna Champagne Bar and, more recently, Bar Luca at the Palazzo Hotel and Resorts World Crystal Bar have been the cigar industry’s favorite watering holes. Many people have said, “Business is done at Circle Bar.” While this is more of an exception than a rule, the cigar industry tends to enjoy gathering at a bar where they can smoke. It also serves as a venue for socializing.
The concern for many is that the New Orleans show would lack a central location like Las Vegas.
For 2025, the PCA arranged after-hours smoking venues at two locations from April 11 through April 13, 2025.
- Manning’s Sports Bar & Grill (519 Fulton St, New Orleans, LA 70130)
- Cuban Creations (533 Toulouse St, New Orleans, LA 70130)
Manning’s is about a ten-minute walk from the Convention Center, while Cuban Creations is about a 15-minute cab ride. Both have outdoor smoking venues. While not as central as a hotel, a lot will depend on where people stay and are congregating.
5. Can anyone go to the PCA Convention and Trade Show?
No, it is not open to the public. You can only attend if you are an industry trade member or a media invitee of the PCA. PCA Alliance (Consumers, non-cigar businesses) members may not attend the show. PCA has stated that it will enforce this policy.
6. Why is the Media at the Trade Show? It should be focused on sales
Since I entered the cigar media scene in 2010, there has been a continuous debate about the role of media at the IPCPR/PCA Trade Show. The event is referred to as a “trade show,” and the key word here is “trade.” A trade association is an organization that brings together businesses within a specific industry. In the case of the PCA, it unites those in the premium cigar and pipe industry. This organization coordinates various activities, including advocacy and the promotion of the industry as a whole.
A trade show serves as a platform to showcase these efforts. The PCA Trade Show offers the opportunity to display both new and established products. While sales are a significant aspect of the event, promoting the industry is equally important. This promotion is achieved by showcasing products and connecting with the individuals behind them. The media acts as a conduit, helping to share this showcase with the world.
This is 2025. In this author’s mind, if you are viewing the Trade Show as sales only, I believe that theory is myopic. Sales and media should co-exist and support each other so both can work effectively at the Trade Show.
7. How Do I Find Out Who Is Going to the Trade Show and What They Are Exhibiting?
The Cigar Big Board provides information about which companies will be attending the Trade Show and the products they will showcase. Once the show concludes, you’ll find reports on our booth coverage right here in this section.
We strive to keep this information accurate and up to date. However, some companies are more forthcoming than others, which makes this a yearly challenge.
2025 PCA Pre-Game Series – Other Installments
- PCA Pre-Game Series Part 1: About the Show
- PCA Pre-Game Series Part 2: The Pre-Show Analysis
- PCA Pre-Game Report Part 3: Predictions for Top 5 Cigars of PCA 2025
- PCA Pre-Game Series Part 4: Selection for “The Company” of the 2025 PCA Trade Show
Photo/Images Credits: Cigar Coop, except where noted
