The Premium Cigar Association (PCA) held its annual trade show and convention in New Orleans on April 11-14, 2025. This year’s trade show was the first held in New Orleans since 2015. The change in location for this year’s trade show allowed for new experiences to be had by the PCA’s membership in the culturally rich backdrop of the Big Easy.
“PCA25 set the bar for future trade shows, including everything from food quality and atmosphere to attendee excitement. This event proved that New Orleans is a serious contender for a host city for future years,” says Joshua Habursky, executive director of the PCA.
PCA25 had 241 exhibiting companies and welcomed nearly 2,437 retailers from 935 retail accounts, and over 5,855 total attendees during the 4-day show, making it a record year for the association’s trade show. The show opened on April 11 with seminars, panels, and exclusive interviews. A new edition of Handrolled debuted, this time focusing on the life and impact of Julio Eiroa. This was followed by the panel “The Next Generation of Cigar Makers,” moderated by Casa Carrillo’s Lissette Perez-Carrillo and panelists Klaas Kelner and Jose Luis Plasencia. Following the PCA’s annual meeting, Cigar Aficionado’s David Savona held a fireside chat with Guy Fieri and his business partner, Erik Espinosa.
Most unique to this year’s trade shows was the focus on the experiences. Based on feedback received from survey responders over the past few trade shows, the PCA set out to ensure attendees had a memorable experience at this year’s trade show. With a focus on networking, this year’s trade show kicked off with an outdoor opening reception at the Mississippi Heritage Park. Sponsored by Espinsoa Cigars along with Villiger, Dunbarton & Trust, and Buffalo Trace Cigars, the opening reception sent a clear message to attendees that this year’s show would go all out on creating memories and opportunities for people to come together. The PCA After Hours program brought attendees together at Manning’s and Cuban Creations for sponsored events each night. Many manufacturers also hosted invite-only parties and gatherings during the trade show.
PCA25 also served as a launchpad to several new product releases including the Perdomo Legacy, a new premium cigar blended by Nicholas Perdomo III in honor of his father, Nick Perdomo, Jr.; a series of new releases from La Aurora including the PCA Alliance Exclusive Small Batch No. 7 and the new Family Creed; Plasencia’s high-elevation inspired Alma del Cielo; Kristoff’s PCA Exclusive Signature Edition; the Para José Seijas from Matilde Cigars, honoring the late José Seijas; and the Creátion Liberté by Meerapfel, with proceeds from the cigar going to support the PCA’s ongoing advocacy efforts.
“PCA25 was really the family reunion of the premium cigar industry. As a retailer, it was great to see so many new exhibitors and fellow retailers that I had not seen at the show in a long time or ever before. I could not have asked for a better event to pass the baton to Todd Naifeh as the new board President,” commented Scott Regina.
“Every cigar shared, every story exchanged, and every partnership forged is an investment in our collective future. Experiences make those moments happen. Those opportunities exist on the trade show floor, and our goal was to create them off the floor. The city of New Orleans helped us to make that vision a reality,” states Lisa Cox, senior director of trade show and events at PCA.
Next year’s trade show will also be held in New Orleans from April 17 to 20. The trade show will return to Las Vegas in 2027 (March 5-8) and 2028 (March 3-6) at the Las Vegas Convention Center. PCA29 will be held in New Orleans, with dates to be announced later.
For news and updates on next year’s trade show, bookmark and visit pcashow.org.