The Premium Cigar Association (PCA) held its annual Fall Fundraiser on the evening of September 25, 2024. The event was held on the rooftop of Don Tito in Arlington, Virginia, from 6 -9 p.m. This event, which included an auction, raffle, and product launch for Toscano, raised close to $40,000 for the PCA Industry Defense Fund. This special fund is used throughout the year to support the association’s advocacy efforts on the federal and state levels.
“This is our fifth year of hosting this annual event. Our staff looks forward to hosting our board of directors, manufacturing partners, local retailers, and consumers in our backyard every year. We have been fortunate to add some unique elements to the event this year, making it our most financially successful event to date,” commented Joshua Habursky, Executive Director of the PCA.
Attendees of the event were PCA members, cigar advocates, and enthusiasts from across the U.S. Upon entering the event, attendees were given event-only gift packs featuring cigars and accessories from a number of leading premium cigar and spirit brands. The evening included a live auction led by Michael Herklots, co-owner of Ferio Tego, that included humidors from La Aurora, Gurkha, La Galera, and Fratello; premium ashtrays from Drew Estate, United Cigars, and Ferio Tego; boxes of cigars from Gurkha, Ferio Tego, United Group, and La Aurora.
The PCA Fall Fundraiser served as the official U.S. launch for Toscano Cigar’s Toscano Brenta, a premium cigar made with air-cured tobacco that was available exclusively to PCA retail members shortly after the event’s conclusion. Toscano brand ambassador Michael Cappellini conducted a special pairing session featuring the new Toscano Brenta for those in attendance. After a successful launch at the Fall Fundraiser, Toscano reported its initial allotment of the Toscano Brenta was nearly sold out.
The PCA would like to thank the following sponsors of this year’s PCA Fall Fundraiser: AICP, Arango Cigar Co., Baker’s, Basil Hayden, Crux Cigars, BQ&S Chocolate, Drew Estate, E.P. Carrillo, El Tesoro, Ferio Tego, Fratello Cigars, Gran Habano, Gurkha Cigar Group, Jim Beam Black, Knob Creek, La Aurora USA, La Galera, Lotus Group, Maker’s Mark, Maker’s Mark No. 46, Miami Cigar Co., Oliva Cigar Co., PDR Cigars, Plasencia Cigars, Rabbit Air, Smoker Friendly International, Toscano Cigars, United Cigar Group, Wildfire Cigars.
Click here to make a contribution to the PCA Industry Defense Fund.
– Photography by Anthony Bolognese/Capitol Hill Photo. Visit www.capitolhill.photo for more information.