Membership

The Premium Cigar Association (PCA) exists to protect, promote, and inspire participation and growth in the premium tobacco industry. Membership is company-based and owners and employees are granted membership through the company. The PCA currently offers membership to Retailers, Associates (manufacturers) and Industry Partners (Brokers, Distributers, and Suppliers) whose primary line of business is in the premium tobacco industry. See below for additional information and definitions of each category of membership.

PCA membership gives you and your business a direct connection to every facet of the industry, providing exceptional opportunities for networking and growth, offering business support, advocacy, education and year-round buying opportunities.

A 2023 PCA membership is valid from January 1, 2023 — December 31, 2023, and dues are not prorated. If a member joins mid-year they must pay for the entire year. 2024 Membership will open October of 2023. Any dues payment made after October 1, 2023 will count towards the 2024 Membership year.

Member Types & Definitions

A PCA Retailer Member is defined as a business entity engaged in whole or in part in the retail sale of premium cigars, specialty tobacco products, and related tobacco accessories through conventional retail stores and other retail outlets.

To be eligible for Retail Membership with the PCA, businesses must meet the following criteria:

  1. Must operate in a location that has retail zoning or have proper permitting for the physical location to sell specialty tobacco products.
  2. Must have all state-required permits and licenses including sales tax license for the retail sale of tobacco products.
  3. Must have regular business hours during which customers can purchase specialty tobacco products. 
  4. Supply photographs of the outside of their establishment showing signage and the inside showing the tobacco display.
  5. Retail Members shall be entitled to one vote per membership.

Retail member dues for 2024 are set forth as:

# of Retail StoresAnnual Dues
1 Retail Store$600
2 Retail Stores$900
3—5 Retail Stores$1200
6—20 more Retail Stores$1500
20+ Stores$3500

Follow the links below to learn more or apply for retail membership.

A PCA Associate Member is defined as a manufacturer, distributor or service provider who serves or supplies PCA Retail members.

To be eligible for PCA membership under the Associate classification, businesses must meet the following criteria:

  1. Must be a manufacturer, distributor or service provider who services and supplies current PCA retailers
  2. Must remain FDA compliant with all current regulatory requirements

Note: All exhibitors at the Annual PCA Convention & International Trade Show must have an active Associate membership, however, associate members are not required to exhibit to maintain membership.

Associate member dues are set forth as:

Total Annual sales volumeAnnual Dues
$0 — $1M Annual Sales Volume $750
$1M — $5M Annual Sales Volume $900
$5M — $20M Annual Sales Volume $1,500
$20M+ Annual Sales Volume $2,950

NOTE TO EXHIBITORS

The PCA does not allow exhibitors to showcase, market, sell or sample products containing CBD, THC or paraphernalia at the trade show. If you have questions about whether a product does or does not qualify, please contact us at info@premiumcigars.org.

Additional Requirement for Trade Show Exhibitors: In order to exhibit at the PCA Trade Show, exhibitors must also have a Current State Wholesale Other Tobacco Product Distributor’s License from the State of Nevada Department of Taxation OR complete an Application for Event Specific Licensing per PCA deadline requirements.

Each application for membership is reviewed and approved individually. For questions regarding the application process or for additional assistance, please contact Erin R Holland, Head of Marketing & Membership, at erin@premiumcigars.org.

Follow the links below to learn more or apply for Associate membership.

Industry Partners include Distributors, Suppliers, Brokers and Media outlets whose primary business is committed to the premium tobacco industry.

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 PCA Annual Convention & International 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.

Industry Partner annual dues are set forth as:

Industry Partner ClassificationAnnual Dues
Broker$450
Distributor$450
Supplier$450

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

Follow the links below to learn more or apply for Industry Partner membership.

Affinity Partner Savings

Exclusively for PCA Members

In addition to getting premier access to the world’s greatest premium tobacco trade show, when you become a member of the PCA, you’ll get to take advantage of exclusive programs and savings for your business!

pca affinity program premium tobacco processing

The PCA has partnered with the Premium Tobacco Payment Processing (PTP) by NUVO Company to create a credit card processing program specifically tailored to fit the needs of tobacconists!

pca affinity program cigar insurance usa

The PCA has partnered with Cigar Insurance USA to provide Business Owners Policy (BOP) insurance to our members. 

pca affinity program 1-800 members

PCA is pleased to present a full suite of discounts through 1-800-Members, including but not limited to: Car rentals; Business checks, forms and printed products; Computers, servers and equipment; Shipping and products and services; Conference calling services.

Get 15—20% off DirecTV programming for your business! The PCA has partnered with National Satellite Center on a member discount program, saving the average current commercial customer up to $800 per year, or as much as $1,200 per year for new DirectTV commercial accounts when upgrading from cable. 

SMS Texting helps you communicate with your customers in real time. With Gnymble, you can boost your communications strategy and at a special reduced rate exclusive to PCA members.

Join Today!

PCA is the longest-running and most active organization dedicated to promoting and protecting the premium tobacco industry. Join today to be a part of everything!

Renew Online!

If your membership expired within the past year or you simply want to renew for the upcoming year, login to the members-only portal to renew your membership today.