Founded in 1933, the Premium Cigar Association (PCA) —originally named the Retail Tobacco Dealers of America (RTDA)— is the oldest, largest, and most active trade organization in the global tobacco industry.
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Its early meetings and conventions were smaller-scale annual gatherings compared to today’s events. These were primarily guild-style assemblies focused on legal matters and regulations, without brand exhibitions. The space was reserved for discussion panels and some discreet sales.
One of the last RTDA conventions was held in Nashville, Tennessee, and in 2000, the organization rebranded as the International Premium Cigar & Pipe Retailers (IPCPR), marking the dawn of the Trade Show era.
Hosted in cities like New Orleans, Louisiana; Las Vegas, Nevada; Orlando, Florida; and Houston, Texas, the IPCPR Trade Show simplified its name in 2018 to the Premium Cigar Association (PCA) Trade Show, establishing Las Vegas as its permanent home. However, in 2025, the event returns for a two-year run at New Orleans’ Ernest N. Morial Convention Center.
Representing both retailers and suppliers, the PCA supports nearly 25,000 stores and businesses that employ tens of thousands of people. It stands as the only full-service premium tobacco organization, going beyond financial advocacy to unite the industry against burdensome regulations and taxes that threaten this way of life. It also provides professional development for its members, fostering stronger relationships at the preeminent trade show of its kind.
This year’s edition —the 24th in its history (accounting for the 2020 cancellation due to the COVID-19 pandemic)— features enriching talks and panels on topics like the art of handmade cigars and the generational shift reshaping the industry.
All this unfolds alongside countless activities across the booths and pavilions of nearly 250 exhibitors, ranging from boutique brands and accessories to major industry players.
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