As a PCA Associate member, you’ll get unparalleled access to directly connect with your biggest and best customers: PCA retailers! Learn more about the benefits of associate membership and how you can become a member today!
Benefits of Associate Membership
Want to get your premium cigars, pipes, pipe tobacco, or accessories in front of the largest retailer buying group in the world? Welcome to the PCA! With 3,000+ retail stores throughout the United States, the PCA brings more buyers directly to you and your products than any other single source.
Annual Convention & Trade Show
This is the world’s largest gathering of premium cigar and pipe retail store owners! Our annual convention and trade show gives you direct access to the largest gathering of retail buyers, where you can showcase your products, build your brand, and strengthen your relationships with target customers. Plus, Associate members are offered exclusive Trade Show Advertising and Sponsorship opportunities to help you maximize your brand exposure! Contact sigler@premiumcigars.org for current Trade Show sponsorship opportunities.
NOTE: Only Associate Members who have secured exhibit space will be permitted access to the Annual Convention & Trade Show. Contact sigler@premiumcigars.org to secure an exhibit booth at the annual convention & trade show.
Retail Tobacconist Almanac
Throughout the years, the Retail Tobacconist Almanac has been an indispensable resource for manufacturers, putting product offerings directly into the hands of retailers year-round.
INTERACTIVE BUYER’S GUIDE
And now, we are offering an online companion to the Almanac, the PCA Buyer’s Guide! Through the Buyer’s Guide, you can keep your customers connected to you around the clock with up-to-date company news, products listings, sales rep contact information, and more!
Keeping your information up-to-the-minute means retailers will always know what products you have available for them, and when and whom to contact to place their orders!
PCA The Magazine: The Blend
PCA The Magazine is the leading publication for premium tobacconists, and includes a dedicated section, “The Blend“, where we provide in-depth introductions to particular premium cigars. The Blend tells the story behind each cigar featured, including tasting notes, sales information, and where and how to buy.
New products and new product education is vital for our retail members, and having your product included in The Blend is one of your best opportunities to get in front of premium tobacconists throughout the country.
PCA The Magazine: ADVERTISING
The premium cigar and pipe industry’s leading magazine dedicated to helping retailers enhance and grow their business, PCA The Magazine is filled with content curated specifically for the premium tobacco industry and includes new product insights from manufacturers with tasting and selling tips, lessons learned from businesses inside and outside the premium tobacco industry, tips from retailers on pressing issues, key updates in our fight against over-reaching regulation, and more! Delivered to PCA members four (4) times per year, this magazine offers Associate members an incredible opportunity to connect with retailers like never before!
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.
Additional ASSOCIATE Member Benefits
- Resources and guidance to help you build and maintain effective communications with your elected officials and help advocate for the premium tobacco industry.
- Legislative alerts and opportunities to take immediate action on legislation that may affect your business.
- Direct access to your legislators through our Legislative Action Center and Cigar Action.
Associate Membership Eligibility
To be eligible for PCA membership under the Associate classification, you must:
- Be a manufacturer, distributor or service provider who serves and supplies a current PCA retailer member
- Remain FDA compliant with all current regulatory requirements
- 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.
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.
Each application for membership is reviewed and approved individually. For questions regarding the application process or for additional assistance, please contact Lisa Sigler sigler@premiumcigars.org.
Annual Dues for Associates
Annual dues for Associate members are based on annual sales volume for your business, as follows:
| Annual sales volume | annual dues |
| $0 — $1M Annual Sales Volume | $787 USD |
| $1M — $5M Annual Sales Volume | $945 USD |
| $5M — $20M Annual Sales Volume | $1,575 USD |
| Enterprise Level: $20M+ Annual Sales Volume | $3,087 USD |
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.