When I attended our recent SOTL Global Movement meeting in Tampa, I left inspired –not just by the conversation, but by the collective power of the women who are shaping the cigar industry across continents.
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I wanted to find a way to make a positive impact on the organization, but I wasn’t sure how to go about it. When Dr. Anastasia Psomiadi summarized the discussion, she spoke passionately about how the movement is transforming.
The organization is evolving from simply highlighting women in cigar culture to actively shaping what leadership and partnership look like across all the industries that cigar culture touches.
That vision profoundly inspired me. I wanted to take that same energy and translate it into something that could connect women and communities on a global scale –something that reflected the sophistication, leadership, and innovation already existing within the SOTL Global Movement.
By nature, I am a researcher, so I began looking for something that could help me energize, engage, and contribute to the organization. I searched for weeks, exploring ideas that could elevate SOTL’s visibility and global reach. I asked myself: What is happening on the world stage that meets our objectives?
Then it hit me: the FIFA World Cup. The biggest sporting event in the world. I knew I was shooting for the stars, but with matches set to take place across 16 venues in the U.S., Mexico, and Canada, it seemed like the perfect opportunity to connect our movement with something truly global.
I envisioned SOTL Watch Parties in women-friendly cigar destinations in those host cities, with one major condition: every venue would have to be a Women Friendly Cigar Destination, which fits perfectly with one of SOTL’s core initiatives.
At first, I thought this might be a cool idea, but how would it be received? As someone new to the organization, I wasn’t sure what a proposal of this scale would look like. My next step was to present it to Dr. Anastasia Psomiadi and then hold my breath.
Her response? “That is amazing!”
I was stunned and thrilled at the same time. That moment of encouragement gave me the confidence to take the idea further. From there, my program manager experience kicked in: I began mapping out the logistics and identifying potential SOTL Hosts and my partners in Atlanta, such as Burn by Rocky Patel and others, who could bring the vision to life.
It has been both rewarding and challenging, but deeply satisfying to see an idea grow from curiosity into a global initiative. I never imagined that something like this could happen, especially being someone who thought you had to be a board member to suggest such a concept. The rest, as they say, is history.
Because I was raised in a military family, I have lived all over the world. That experience molded me into a global American with a deep appreciation for culture, connection, and shared experiences. Whether I was in Europe, Asia, or here in the U.S., I learned that people everywhere are united by the same things: laughter, good conversation, and moments of celebration. Cigars, much like culture and sport, have a way of bringing people together.
When Dr. Psomiadi encouraged me to think creatively and come up with an idea, I saw it as an opportunity to combine my experience in product innovation for a Fortune 50 company with my passion for global connection. I wanted to design something that not only celebrated women but also positioned SOTL as an international force.
The Event Strategy for the FIFA Watch Parties was built around that vision: connecting two worlds that already speak a universal language –cigars and soccer. The FIFA World Cup unites people across all borders, and I wanted SOTL to be a part of that global celebration.
The goal was to organize coordinated events in women-friendly cigar destinations around the world –places where female enthusiasts feel welcome, respected, and celebrated. Each event would be more than just a gathering to watch the game; it would be an opportunity to showcase SOTL’s presence, highlight our hosts, and create community moments that reflect the elegance and inclusivity of our movement.
With my background in innovation, I approached it like any major product launch: thinking about the audience, partnerships, and scalability. I collaborated with SOTL hosts and lounges who shared our vision, including Burn by Rocky Patel-Atlanta and others. Together, we will create experiences that blend the excitement of FIFA with the sophistication of cigar culture –opportunities for connection.
The impact is immediate. Our Watch Parties will create new visibility for SOTL in all markets and introduce the movement to audiences who have never heard of it before. They allow our members and hosts to step into the spotlight with confidence, representing what it means to be part of a truly global sisterhood.
For me, it is not solely about cigars or sports, but about connection, representation, and purpose. The FIFA Watch Parties strategy demonstrates that women in this industry are not just participating; we are leading, innovating, and shaping experiences that define the future of cigar culture. My philanthropic background also guided the spirit of this project. I have always believed that events should go beyond social connection –they must create impact.
Looking ahead, I see the FIFA Watch Parties strategy as just the beginning. There are countless ideas the SOTL team can build upon –all it takes is the boldness to dream big and ensure every initiative connects major industries, culture, luxury, and empowerment.
From Tampa to the world, what started as a simple idea has become a movement within the movement: proof that when women lead with creativity and purpose, the results go far beyond the smoking lounge.
About the Author:
Robin Blue, CCST, MBA is a Program Manager, innovator, and strategist for the SOTL Global Movement. Based in Atlanta, she combines her corporate experience and global perspective to develop initiatives that empower women in cigar culture worldwide. She is also the Founder of BlueSmokeATL (BSA) LLC, an online shopping experience at BlueSmokeATL.com, which offers a unique collection of handmade cigar skewers and other lifestyle pieces.
