Industry Partner Membership

Suppliers, Distributors, Brokers and Media all play vital roles in helping the premium tobacco industry thrive. As industry partners, you have the unique ability to add your voice to the fight, attend the annual convention and trade show for insider participation and knowledge, and support the industry.

Industry Partner Membership Types

A Distributor member is a business which provides products at wholesale or who supplies products from our current PCA Associate Members to PCA Retailer Members in their marketplace. Applicants must designate their sponsoring Associate Member(s) to be considered for membership.

NOTE: Distributors who wish to exhibit at the Annual Convention & Trade Show must join as an Associate Member.

A Supplier member is a qualified company who supplies products and services to PCA exhibiting Associate members. Examples of qualified suppliers include:

  • A business that supplies hardware or materials used to produce boxes which an Associate Member uses to market their cigars
  • A business that supplies machinery or equipment used by an Associate member to produce their products
  • A business that supplies flavorings used by an Associate member’s tobacco products and other raw materials 

Applicants must designate their sponsoring Associate Member(s) to be considered for membership.

A Broker member is an Independent Sales Representative who is contracted to represent an Associate Member company and their products to retail tobacco stores. Applicants must designate their sponsoring Associate Member(s) to be considered for membership.

Benefits of Industry Partner Membership

Annual Convention & Trade Show

When you join the PCA as an Industry Partners, you will get 3 FREE badges to the PCA Annual Convention and International Trade Show! This premier expo is the premium tobacco industry’s largest and most important event of the year, bringing together everyone in the industry in more than 350,000 square feet of exhibit space! You’ll have unparalleled networking opportunities between you and more than 2,000 qualified buyers from 1,000+ member stores —all ready and eager to buy!

Retail Tobacconist Almanac

Considered the ‘bible’ of the tobacco industry, our Retail Tobacconist Almanac contains hundreds of pages of product listings, information on premium cigars, pipes, pipe tobacco and lighters, accessories, and more!

LEGISLATIVE & COMPLIANCE

The PCA’s extensive advocacy programs not only fight local, state and federal burdens, but also offer guidance and resources, helping you stay to help you ensure you are operating according to all the latest rules and regulations.

Industry Partner Membership Eligibility

To be eligible for membership as an Industry Partner with the Premium Cigar Association (PCA), your primary line of business must be classified as one of the following:

DISTRIBUTER: A business which warehouses or sells premium tobacco products or accessories from at least one (1) PCA Associate member to PCA Retailer members. Distributers must be sponsored by at least one (1) Associate member as part of the application process.*

  • Note: Distributors who wish to exhibit at the Annual Convention & Trade Show must join as an Associate Member.

SUPPLIER: A company who supplies products or services to PCA Associate members, which help those manufacturers bring their product(s) to market (examples include: tobacco growers; cigar box makers; cigar band or cellophane wrapper makers; pipe tobacco can makers; insurance providers; software providers, e.g.). Suppliers must be sponsored by at least one (1) Associate member as part of the application process.*

BROKER: A Sales Representative who is contracted to represent a PCA Associate Member company and who sells their products to PCA Retailer members. Brokers must be sponsored by at least one (1) Associate member as part of the application process.*

* Distributers, Suppliers & Brokers: To be considered for membership with the Premium Cigar Association, you will be asked to designate your sponsoring Associate Member(s) as part of the online application process. The sponsoring Associate member must have current membership, be in good standing with the PCA, and exhibit at the annual Trade Show.

Each application for membership is reviewed and approved individually. For questions regarding the application process or for additional assistance, please contact Lisa Silger at sigler@premiumcigars.org

Annual Dues for Industry Partners

Annual dues for Industry Partner members are $472 USD per calendar year ($50 OFF if paid between Sept. 1 and Dec. 31).

Dues are not deductible as a charitable contribution, but may be deductible under other provisions of the Internal Revenue Code. For the current year, 100% of the dues are not deductible under IRC Section. 6033. Please consult your tax advisor.