The Premium Cigar Association (PCA) is proud to announce the recipients of the 2025 Step Up Awards, which recognize outstanding leadership and dedication to premium tobacco advocacy. These awards honor individuals and organizations that have gone above and beyond to protect the rights of premium cigar businesses and consumers across the nation.
The award ceremony will take place on Sunday, April 13, 2025, immediately following the PCA comedy show at the 2025 PCA Annual Convention and Trade Show. This special recognition celebrates those who have stepped up in a meaningful way to defend the industry in legislative, regulatory, and grassroots arenas over the past year.
This year’s Step Up Award winners include:
- Jimmy Hargrove, Colorado Premium Cigar and Pipe Association – For his tireless advocacy on behalf of the Colorado cigar industry, ensuring the preservation of premium cigar retailing and smoking rights.
- Luke Benson, Colorado Premium Cigar and Pipe Association – For his collaborative efforts to engage and educate Colorado legislators on the positive impact of the premium cigar industry in the state.
- Greg Zimmerman, The Tobacco Company – For his leadership in supporting and organizing advocacy efforts aimed at defeating harmful regulations and tax increases on premium cigars.
- Cigars for Warriors – For its commitment to supporting our nation’s veterans by providing premium cigars to troops overseas, ensuring a small comfort during difficult times.
- Michael Edney, Hunton Andrews Kurth LLP – For his legal expertise and unwavering dedication to defending the premium cigar industry in key regulatory and legislative battles.
Glynn Loope, Director of State Advocacy at PCA, reflected on the impact of this year’s honorees:
“We want to take this opportunity to congratulate each of this year’s Step Up award winners. Each represents a symbol of the effort to protect and grow this industry. Luke Benson and Jimmy Hargrove have built an effective state association for the retailers of Colorado, addressing tax and regulatory legislation, at the local and state level; Greg Zimmerman has played a national role in advising PCA on legislative strategies, while watching the home front in Pennsylvania; Michael Edney has been the lead litigator facilitating each victory against industry threatening federal regulations; and Cigars for Warriors has built a nationally acclaimed non-profit, providing cigars for active troops, literally around the world.
“Each of these honorees represent why this industry is so special, and why it’s worth defending.”
The PCA Step Up Awards are a testament to the strength and unity of the premium cigar community and the individuals who continue to fight for its future. All PCA members and trade show attendees are invited to join in celebrating these remarkable contributions on April 13, 2025, during the association’s annual awards ceremony.