8 PCA The Magazine | VOLUME 2 2022 PREMIUMCIGARS.ORG WELL, THE MORE THINGS CHANGE, THE MORE THEY STAY THE SAME. I’ve looked through all the old RTDA Almanacs and I have to say it seems as if there has never been a shortage of ill-informed crusaders, perpetually seeking reelection, who wish to tax and regulate us into oblivion. But we’ve seen this movie. We know how it ends. Prohibition taught us that. So I say it’s time for our own movie, our story, our narrative. It’s time for us to come together during PCA’s 2022 Annual Convention and Trade Show to reinvigorate our collective strength and dedication to this phenomenally resilient, fun and passion-filled industry. It really is only through a gathering such as our annual event that we can achieve a critical mass of solidarity that fuels all of us as we then return home to our respective businesses. But more importantly, family needs each other. We need the camaraderie to remind us we are not alone. We need the laughter and the stories of overcoming idiocy in the legislative halls, challenges with running your businesses, and comparing crazy stories about your beloved customers. And to soak up the passion, skills, knowledge, friendship and dedication from all your colleagues around the world. This year’s show is a springboard for much bigger things. We are launching Vision 50: A Decade of Action, which puts PCA on a whole new level of advocacy— fighting proactively for your stores to create a more stable and profitable business environment in order to stimulate even more growth for our retailers. We have more networking with our PCA lounge and happy hours every night during the trade show. You will be able to linger longer, meet more people and establish stronger relationships with vendors. And, of course, enjoy a libation or two. And we can’t forget all the new products and the knowledge we gain of shipping time frames and availability. The show is designed specifically to help the business of specialty tobacco retailing grow. I look forward to seeing as many of you as I can and speaking with you about your successes and challenges. I truly relish the opportunity I have as executive director to continuously work on new ways your association can provide value to you and help your business. (It doesn’t hurt that I enjoy a plethora of good cigars along the way.) Enjoy the show! Andmay the coming year be evenmore prosperous than the last. Scott Pearce
[email protected] 512 Capital Court N.E. Washington, DC 20002-7709 Phone: 202.621.8064 www.premiumcigars.org Email:
[email protected] | PCA T H E M A G A Z I N E ILLUSTRATION BY : Joe DeLeon BY SCOTT PEARCE E D I T O R I A L EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Scott Pearce MANAGING EDITOR Greg Girard ASSOCIATE EDITOR Erin R. Holland ASSOCIATE EDITOR William C. Nelson ACCOUNT MANAGER David Wilson COPY EDITOR William C. Nelson DESIGN DeLeon Design; Omak Partners C O N T R I B U T I N G W R I T E R S Josh Evarts, Greg Girard, Josh Habursky, Erin R. Holland, William C. Nelson, Larry Wagner B OA R D O F D I R E C T O R S EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR Scott Pearce Washington, DC PRESIDENT Greg Zimmerman Lemoyne, PA VICE PRESIDENT Scott Regina Virginia Beach, VA TREASURER Todd Naifeh Oklahoma City, OK SECRETARY Paul Groh Germantown, WI ASSOCIATE LIAISON Mike Conder Nashville, TN EX OFFICIO John Anderson Washington, DC D I R E C T O R S Steve Castro Frederick, MD Jay Davis Dallas, TX Christian Eiroa Miami, FL Marvin Holthouser Destin, FL Jessica Hutson Springfield, MO Todd Johnson Monroe, NC Phil Ledbetter Chicago, IL Alan Rubin Fort Lauderdale, FL Harris Saunders Birmingham, AL Randy Silverman New Castle, PA Mary Szarmach Boulder, CO PCA © Copyright 2022. PCA The Magazine is a trademark of the Premium Cigar Association (PCA). All rights reserved. Reproduction or use in whole or in part of the contents of this magazine without prior written permission from the publisher is prohibited. PCA The Magazine makes every effort to ensure the accuracy of the content published. Neither the publisher nor the advertisers will be held responsible for any errors found herein, and the publisher accepts no liability for the accuracy of the statements made by advertisers in advertising and promotional materials. The opinions expressed by contributing editors are not necessarily those of the PCA, its directors, officers or staff. The information included and items promoted in this magazine are intended for an adult audience. Editor’s Note A D M I N I S T R AT I O N SENIOR DIRECTOR, MEETINGS & EVENTS Lisa Cox DEPUTY EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR Josh Habursky HEAD OF MARKETING & MEMBERSHIP Erin R. Holland STATE ADVOCACY DIRECTOR Glynn Loope GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS MANAGER Ryan Parada