Washington, DC — The International Premium Cigar & Pipe Retailers (IPCPR), the leading trade association for premium tobacco retailers, announces the business’ rebrand to Premium Cigar Association (PCA). This comprehensive and strategic re-brand is necessary to facilitate the growth of the premium tobacco industry for cigar and pipe tobacco retailers, manufacturers and consumers, and includes a new logo, website and enhanced communications.
The Association was originally founded in 1933 as the Retail Tobacco Dealers of America (RTDA). Throughout the years, the Association has re-branded three times, updating its name to the International Premium Cigar and Pipe Retailers (IPCPR) in 2007, and now the Premium Cigar Association (PCA), in 2019.
PCA is the oldest, largest and most active trade association representing the interests of the premium cigar and pipe industry, with a large and powerful membership comprising retailers, manufacturers and consumers of premium cigars and pipes.
“The rebranding of our organization is a complete evolution and transformation that will offer a slate of new programs and services,” said Scott Pearce, the Association’s Executive Director. “The Premium Cigar Association represents a modernization to a full-service association, focused on delivering 365 days of value to every participant in the premium cigar and pipe industry.”
As evidenced by the current U.S. demand for premium handmade cigars—which is approximately 300 million cigars a year—PCA’s base is growing rapidly. PCA’s mission is to facilitate this growth, equipping retailers with the consumer research, recent legislation and education they need to work with suppliers and the public. In addition to acting as the industry’s top authority, PCA also operates as its top advocacy group, educating local, state and federal policymakers on the value, legacy and nuances of the premium cigar and pipe industry—from the time-honored, old-world methods still used to create premium cigars by small, family-owned businesses today; to the purity of ingredients cultivated for their binding and rolling by hand; to the unique consumption patterns associated with their enjoyment.
“We’re sharing why premium cigar retailers are important to their communities; that most of our members have a center where politics, business, trade —just about everything, is discussed in their store. That our members’ shops are a community center and serve a community purpose,” said Joshua Habursky, the Association’s Director of Federal Government Affairs. “We want to make sure we’re telling the story of the small business owner.”
With the new name, Premium Cigar Association, the association is in a stronger position to differentiate itself from other tobacco products and drive home the differences. Combined with the bold simplicity of the new logo belies deeper layers of meaning: the three segments on the top and bottom of the leaf represent the founding year of the organization (1933), while the color palette represents the life cycle of tobacco —evolving from the vivid green of a tobacco plant to the rich brown of a processed leaf, and finally to a warm gray that evokes the ash of a freshly smoked, and enjoyed, cigar. The typography also holds significance: the PCA acronym is depicted in a slab serif typeface that is indicative of early 19th century design, while the condensed sans serif used for the full name demonstrates the professionalism and confident leadership that PCA embodies. All these design elements work together seamlessly to position PCA as a modern and forward-thinking organization with a rich and storied history.
PCA is steadfast in the belief that once the differences between premium tobacco products and other commodities typically regulated in their space are well understood, premium cigars and pipes will be considered in a class all their own.
Learn more at premiumcigars.org.