PCA Ends Media Member Dues for Trade Show Access

The Premium Cigar Association (PCA) has declared a significant change in its policy by discontinuing media member dues to access the organization’s annual trade show, starting in 2024. Previously, media members were required to pay annual dues of $450, categorizing them as “industry partners,” akin to cigar brokers, distributors, and suppliers.

While media members will no longer have to pay dues, they will still need to apply for a specialized media badge to attend the trade show. This application process entails submitting prior work, such as articles and videos, to confirm the applicant’s involvement in covering the cigar industry. This policy mirrors PCA’s approach in the early 2010s when the organization was known as the International Premium Cigar & Pipe Retailers Association (IPCPR).

Additionally, the PCA is amending its show floor access policies, allowing media members to enter at the same time as exhibitors, eliminating the need to wait for the official start time. Media badges will also provide access to the trade show’s opening reception.

The PCA explained that this policy change was in response to feedback from “numerous media” regarding membership costs and media attendance at the trade show. The PCA aims to prevent misuse of media registration and ensure that badges intended for exhibitors are not given to media members.