The Premium Cigar Association (PCA) announced today a new mission statement for the organization as well as an expanded board of directors structure. These changes came as a result of a PCA board strategic planning session that assessed the current state of the industry and the association and how to best leverage the association for greater impact in the years ahead.
The Premium Cigar Association (PCA) announced today that Ryan Parada has officially joined PCA as the full-time manager of government affairs focusing on grassroots and political operations including Premium Cigar PAC, assisting both federal and state government affairs work. Parada worked as a contractor over the past year for the PCA.
The PCA 2021 trade show is over and I wanted to do a write-up on my thoughts from the show.
Traditionally, our PCA (formerly IPCPR) trade show recap shows have all been from the media point of view. This year it is evolving and in addition to media members, we are bringing in cigar brand exhibitors and retailers that attended the show. The goal is to get insight on the event from all three perspectives as well as thoughts on the future of the event.
The Premium Cigar Association (PCA) announced today that Glynn Loope has officially joined PCA as the full time director of state advocacy. Loope will spearhead all state and local advocacy for the PCA in the continued fight against regulatory overreach, increased taxes, and smoking bans. Loope was most recently the executive director of the Cigar Rights of America.
To meet the demands, challenges, and opportunities for both federal and state advocacy, the PCA is making several strategic shifts to bolster overall government affairs effectiveness. These changes have gradually begun early this year through new program development and budget reprioritization. As we approach 2021, PCA is also making some personnel changes and additions to align with the restructuring.
The PCA Board has decided to bring Executive Director Scott Pearce and Head of Government Affairs Joshua Habursky back off furlough to manage and oversee the work in the specific priority areas. All federal and state advocacy questions should be directed to Joshua Habursky and all other inquiries should go to Scott Pearce.
The Premium Cigar Association (PCA) and Cigar Rights of America (CRA) are pleased that a unanimous panel of the United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit found flaws in the FDA’s Deeming Rule regulating cigars and held that the Food & Drug Administration (FDA) did not do necessary work to show an effect of large cigar warning labels on reducing smoking rates.
The Premium Cigar Association (PCA) announced today that there will be some temporary changes to its staffing and programs as a result of the enduring effects of the COVID-19 pandemic and the resulting economic hardships. As of July 15, the PCA staff will be furloughed, with benefits, as the board and executive committee work through the financial challenges the association is currently facing.
PCA calls upon Congress and the Administration to take action to create conditions where our members can not only rebuild and recover, but eventually grow their businesses. We hope that Congress and the Administration will consider four key areas that are critical to recovery for our industry include: FDA Regulatory Relief, Small Business Program (PPP) Reform, Liability Protection, and Tax Policy.
