Davidoff Returning To PCA Trade Show In 2025 after a four-year absence

[JohnS]

Davidoff Returning To PCA Trade Show In 2025

Aug 13, 2024 - By Gregory Mottola

After a four-year absence from the premium cigar industry’s largest convention, Davidoff of Geneva will be returning to the Premium Cigar Association of America’s trade show in 2025. 

“The shift of the trade show date to April better fits the company’s and industry’s business cycle and projects the opportunity of more impactful presentation of the company’s brands and programs going forward,” Davidoff said in a statement.

“PCA 2025 in New Orleans is set to be one of the largest shows in recent history of the organization from an exhibitor perspective,” PCA CEO and executive director Joshua Habursky told Cigar Aficionado. “We are excited to see Davidoff returning to the show and bringing with them their iconic brands and products.”

Davidoff surprised the cigar world when it announced that it was pulling out of the trade show in early 2020, but the Swiss company wasn’t alone. Three other industry giants joined Davidoff in its hard-lined position: Altadis U.S.A., Scandinavian Tobacco Group and Drew Estate (which is owned by Swisher International). In a joint statement, the four companies cited grievances such as high costs and low returns, dwindling attendance, misalignment with corporate strategies and the need for overall restructuring. 

While the 2020 PCA trade show was canceled due to the pandemic, the absence of “The Big Four” in 2021 was noticeable. Previously, the four major cigar companies took up some of the largest exhibitor footprints on the showroom floor. 

Slowly, the large exhibitors returned. In 2023, both Altadis and STG (via its subsidiary, Forged Cigar Co.) rejoined, albeit with a scaled-down booths. Drew Estate followed in 2024.

“I’m very pleased that in recent conversations with PCA leadership we have found closer alignment and a shared vision of shaping our beautiful industry’s future,” says Zak Medwin, Davidoff’s ad interim president and commercial director.

The 2025 PCA trade show is taking place on April 11 to 14 in New Orleans.

Source: https://www.cigaraficionado.com/article/davidoff-returning-to-pca-trade-show-in-2025

[JohnS]

DAVIDOFF EXHIBITING AT PCA 2025

AUGUST 13, 2024 - CHARLIE MINATO

Davidoff of Geneva USA has announced that it will exhibit at the 2025 PCA Convention & Trade Show, which takes place April 11-14 in New Orleans.

It’s a return to the PCA Convention & Trade Show, the largest cigar trade show in the U.S. and one that Davidoff hasn’t exhibited at since 2019. Previously, Davidoff was one of four large companies—joined by Altadis U.S.A., Drew Estate and General Cigar Co.—that pulled out of the 2020 PCA Convention & Trade Show due to a wide range of issues. The other three companies were all exhibitors last year; all four will be exhibitors next year.

In a press release, Davidoff said that the decision to move the trade show from its typical date over the summer to earlier in the year “better fits the company’s and industry’s business cycle and projects the opportunity of more impactful presentation of the company’s brands and pro- grams going forward.”

“I’m very pleased that in recent conversations with PCA leadership we have found closer alignment and a shared vision of shaping our beautiful industry’s future,” said Zak Medwin, Ad Interim president & commercial director, in a press release. “The PCA event is more than just a trade show for us — it is an opportunity to reaffirm our commitment to the premium cigar industry and our valued business partners. We are looking forward to spotlighting our iconic brands, connecting with all industry stakeholders and continuing to strengthen our long-standing partnerships.”

While Davidoff has not been an exhibitor since 2019, when the trade show was known as IPCPR 2019, it has been present. Davidoff distributes Ferio Tego, which has been an exhibitor for the last few trade shows, and a small number of Davidoff employees have been on hand to assist with Ferio Tego.

For many years, Davidoff was known for hosting the annual trade show’s most formal event. Once known as the Davidoff Dinner and later as the Golden Band Awards, Davidoff hosted a black-tie formal dinner during the trade show for its retailers that carry the company’s eponymous “white label” cigars. There has been no announcement about whether that dinner will come back.

Source: https://halfwheel.com/davidoff-exhibiting-at-pca-2025/441673/