PCA 2025: New Orleans, April 11-14

PCA 2025 will take place April 11-14 in New Orleans.

This will mark the first time that the Premium Cigar Association’s (PCA) trade show will take place in New Orleans since 2015. The last time the trade show was there, the organization and its annual trade show were known by the acronym IPCPR.

“After conducting several member surveys, it became clear that New Orleans was a top choice for a future trade show. It has been several years since PCA held its trade show in the Big Easy, the last being in 2015,” said the organization in a press release. “The PCA has worked closely with the state of New Orleans to make this happen, and the city has been very accommodating in ensuring PCA and its members will feel welcome during their stay. PCA would like to thank and acknowledge New Orleans & Company, the city’s convention and visitor’s bureau, for being great during this selection process.”

The 2023 PCA Convention & Trade Show begins tomorrow, July 8, and runs through Tuesday, July 11 at the Venetian Expo Center in Las Vegas. Next year’s will take place March 22-25 in Las Vegas, but at the Las Vegas Convention Center. The move to New Orleans means at least three consecutive trade shows that will take place at different venues and in different months.

Last month, Gov. John Bel Edwards signed H.B. 111, which extended the tax-exempt status for cigars and pipe tobacco sampled at the convention center during the industry’s trade show when it is held in New Orleans until 2030. The tax exemption had been scheduled to expire on Dec. 31, 2025 prior to the extension being passed.

While that bill was favorable for the PCA Convention & Trade Show, New Orleans’ smoking ban—which covers bars and restaurants—remains in effect. Smoking is still allowed within cigar bars.

This is a developing story.