O 8 PCA The Magazine | VOLUME 3 2022 PREMIUMCIGARS.ORG ONE OF THE THINGS I ENJOY THE MOST IN MY POSITION, besides smoking my fair share of terrific cigars, is being able to go out and visit withmembers. Over the past couple ofmonths, not onlywas I able to seemany of you at the annual convention and trade show, but I have spent the better part of the past four weeks on the road to attend different industry events and visit retail shops. One visit was to a new shop, openedwithin the past year. I visitedwith the owner, asked himhow the business was going and discussed his challenges, his road to the industry and decision to become a tobacconist. I asked himwhat cigars hewould recommend and I purchased a few. Shortly after that visit, I had the opportunity to go to a shop that has been around formore than 150 years, its current owner nearing his own 50th anniversary. A steady streamof customers came through, even on aMondaymorning, and the owner newa greatmany of themby name. Onewife of an out-of-town customer remarked howgood it smelled in the shop. I relished listening to his stories of navigating his shop through half a century of ownership. In both shops, I engaged the customers as well, listening to their stories of enjoying cigars and pipes, what they love about them, and hearing themenjoy each other’s company. The common thread amongst all of this was passion. New store, old store, lifelong enthusiast and lover of the leaf, or a brand-newconsumer experience this beautiful smoking endeavor, all had the same foundational passion. It’s this passion that has sustained the industry through some brutal years of uncertainty. Your passion of creating the optimal experience for your customers.We know that we aren’t just lighting dead leaves on fire. It’s about whywe are smoking. It’s the camaraderie, the sanctuary, the “other” housewe go towhenwe need to decompress and remember why life is goodwhile tasting the delicious, nuanced notes of premiumtobacco cured and crafted by expertminds, palates and hands. Your passion is evident as I visit your shops. Andwhat has been particularly rewarding is seeing our efforts pay off to free you all fromthe deadly restrictions and uncertainty so that your passions can be directedwhere they need to be: growing your business and fueling the passions of your customers. Big things are coming for this industry, and it is your passion that hasmade it all possible. Thank you for keeping it aflame even during the darkest times. Now, new horizons are in front of us andwe are on our way. So let’s go get them! Scott Pearce
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[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, Glynn Loope, William C. Nelson, Ryan Parada, 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 Tony Goins Lincoln, NE Michael Herklots Ramsey, NJ Jessica Hutson Springfield, MO Todd Johnson Monroe, NC Kathleen Kelly Queensbury, NY Phil Ledbetter Chicago, IL Bob Roberts Casa Grande, AZ Alan Rubin Fort Lauderdale, FL Mary Szarmach Boulder, CO Jarrid Trudeau Warrenville, IL 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 “There is no passion to be found playing small — in settling for a life that is less than the one you are capable of living.” – Nelson Mandela