POLICIES & FAQ

Attendees, exhibitors and all representatives agree not to disturb the activities of others in attendance, especially where related to the consumption of alcohol.

All guests of the PCA25 Trade Show are expected to drink responsibly and ensure they have a safe, responsible means of transportation before leaving the facility. Any guest who is intoxicated before entering the event may be denied entry to the facility. Any guest found intoxicated within the event and causing a disturbance, as determined by management, will be asked to leave the facility without refund and may be subject to further consequences.

The possession, smoking or consumption of marijuana is NOT allowed at PCA25. Violators will be trespassed from the show and not allowed to return.

No edible CBD products may be sold or distributed at the New Orleans Convention Center, including as free samples, regardless of the THC concentration of the products.

Non-edible CBD products, such as oils and topicals, may not be sold at the New Orleans Convention Center but may be distributed or provided as free samples on the condition that the product is not adulterated or misbranded in any way. Smoking CBD products at the New Orleans Convention Center is strictly prohibited and violators will be trespassed from the property.

No Synthetic CBD may be distributed at the New Orleans Convention Center. Synthetic CBD means any cannabinoid that is produced artificially, whether from chemicals or from recombinant biological agents (such as yeast or algae) and which is not derived from a plant of the genus Cannabis.

THC (Tetrahydrocannabinol) THC, including Delta-7, Delta-8, Delta-10 and any other structural, optical, or geometric isomers of Delta-9, is a Schedule I Controlled Substance under Louisiana law.

Code Requirements for PCA Trade Show participants

1. Trade Show Age of Attendance. All credentialed participants in attendance shall be a minimum of 21 years old and will provide identification upon request.
2. Employee Training. Participants shall familiarize their staff with the Code’s requirements by providing a copy or electronic link to the Code, which is available on the PCA website.
3. Website Age Affirmation. Participants using web based marketing for age restricted items shall limit access to wholesale customers or use age affirmation mechanisms to gate access for the general public.
4. Point-of-Sale Age Verification. Participants practice point-of-sale age verification wherever age restricted products are sold to the general public, including online. Participants train employees on legal requirements for age restricted sales and provide physical signage or an online statement as a reminder that the purchase age for tobacco products is subject to legal restrictions.
5. Trade Show Adult Audience. Products, marketing materials and media production at the PCA Trade Show primarily appeals to adult audiences of legal purchase age for tobacco.  Products, including non-tobacco items, shall not contain color schemes, fonts or artwork that may be misperceived as having specific appeal to underage consumers.  Apparel that is branded or features tobacco art is only available in adult sizes.  Marketing materials and media should only feature adults of legal purchase age.
6. Trade Dress. Products and marketing materials at the tradeshow shall not feature words, phrases, symbols or designs intended to simulate products, packaging, or known trademarks for which the exhibitor is not licensed.

Support

Confidential Guidance on Code Compliance. On a voluntary, nonbinding, and confidential basis, PCA members and associate members can seek guidance by emailing [email protected].
Monitoring and enforcement

1. Responsibility of Participants. Participants should encourage compliance with the Code through private peer-to-peer dialogue.

2. Monitoring the Trade Show. PCA staff will actively monitor trade show activity and reach out to participants to confidentially discuss suspected infractions of the Code and, if necessary, suggest a remedial course of action.

3. Enforcement of the Code. Participants found in violation of the Code that are unwilling to adhere to PCA’s suggested remedy may have their privileges and benefits of PCA membership revoked without refund of dues, fees or donations. This may include, but is not limited to, loss of Trade Show credentials and/or removal of products, marketing materials or signage.

The last day to take advantage of PCA’s discounted hotel room rates through the host hotels is March 9, 2025.

Note: The PCA25 group rates are subject to availability and may not be available as we get closer to the dates of the trade show. The New Orleans French Quarter Festival is also occurring over the same dates, so hotels are going to sell out quickly. Book early to maximize savings!

All exhibitors and attendees may take advantage of these savings, with special room rates starting of $229 per night, not including resort fee, and available on our travel page (link to travel page with housing information).

Tips: To ensure you receive all trade-show communications, login to the members-only portal to ensure the correct email is on file for you or contact [email protected] to verify. ALSO, be sure to add [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], and [email protected] to your safe-senders list ensure deliverability.

Housing Scam/Pirate Advisory Notice: We have received complaints that unaffiliated companies have contacted attendees and exhibitors offering discounted hotel reservations. These offers are scams and are not condoned by the PCA. Please be advised that the PCA will only notify members about the PCA Room Block offered through the host hotels. The PCA does not contact individuals or companies with any other special deals on accommodations for the Trade Show. The PCA further does not contract outside agencies to offer any special deals or discounts. The only legitimate emails for PCA25 lodging will come directly from the PCA. For more information visit our Housing Advisory Page.

The PCA25 Trade Show is the largest and most important B2B show of the year for the premium tobacco industry. To ensure exhibitors and attendees realize the greatest ROI, ALL participants MUST be current dues-paying members of the Premium Cigar Association. Consumers and non-members are not permitted to attend.
Exhibitors are allotted a specific number of complimentary badges in correlation to booth square footage. Additional badges may be purchased if needed. Exhibitors must submit the names and contact information of each person who will be attending no later than April 4, 2025.
Note: Exhibitors will not receive badges for anyone who is not an employee or performing work in their booth during the trade show (i.e., any retailer who is not a current member of the PCA, or consumer, will not be allowed entry).
Retailers & Industry Partners are allotted a specific number of complimentary badges in correlation to their membership tier.
Additional badges may be purchased if needed. Registration will open in early 2025.
If you need help registering, email [email protected]. If you are not a current member of the PCA, complete the appropriate new member application here. If you are a former member and need only reinstate your membership, contact [email protected].

PCA Alliance members are not eligible to attend the PCA trade show.

No. The PCA Trade Show is the largest and most important B2B show of the year for the premium tobacco industry. To ensure exhibitors and attendees realize the greatest ROI, ALL participants MUST be current dues-paying members of the Premium Cigar Association. Only exhibiting manufacturers and their representatives will be granted entry into the Trade Show. This helps ensure our exhibitors have the greatest potential for success while preventing non-exhibiting manufacturers from taking business away from them.

To quickly get your membership renewed or reinstated so you can attend the PCA25 Trade Show, contact Maria Cervantes at [email protected]. Registration will open in early 2025.

New Retailer Members: If you are new to PCA and want to apply for RETAILER membership and attend the trade show, complete the New Retail Member Application here.

New Associate (Manufacturer) Members: If you are new to PCA and want to apply for ASSOCIATE membership and exhibit at the trade show, complete the New Associate Member Application here.

New Industry Partner Members: If you are new to PCA and want to apply for Industry Partners (distributors, suppliers, brokers) membership and attend the trade show, complete the New Industry Partner Member Application here.
PCA Alliance members are not eligible to attend the PCA trade show.

PCA members receive a certain number of FREE badges based on membership tier. Additional badges may be purchased online here.

Note: PCA25 is a members-only event and is not open to the general public. Badges may not be given to anyone outside of your company who has not been given prior authorization by the PCA. PCA Alliance members are not eligible to attend the PCA trade show.

Trade show Exhibitors will receive up to four (4) badges per 100 square feet of booth space. Exhibitors staying at one of the host hotels may purchase additional badges for $150 each.

Trade show Retailer attendees staying at one of the host hotels may purchase additional badges for $150 each.

We strongly encourage all PCA members to register in advance for your trade show badges. Because this is an exclusive event, we cannot guarantee everyone who arrives will be let in. All attendees must be current members of the PCA with no outstanding balances or prior infractions.

If you are NOT a member of PCA and wish to become one on-site, you will incur an additional onsite membership application fee of $500. Registration will open in early 2025. PCA Alliance members are not eligible to attend the PCA trade show.

Yes. For anyone needing assistance, please complete the Special Assistance Form and include any requests for special accommodations. A member of our team will follow up with you directly to ensure you have a fulfilling trade show experience.

For Scooter rental, please review this flyer from the convention center.

Yes. Smoking is only permitted in designated locations and at designated times.

Smoking is prohibited in common areas, hallways, registration areas, meeting rooms, guest rooms, and any other non-smoking areas as designated by the host hotels and the New Orleans Ernest N. Morial Convention Center.

Anyone assigned a badge representing your company caught smoking outside of the specified times and locations or in the restricted areas may be fined, removed from the show, banned from all future shows and membership could be suspended until the fine is paid in full. Refer to the Smoking Policy (above) for more information.

PCA is building out smoking experiences in and around the convention center, more information to come. Outside the trade show and convention center, several venues around the city allow smoking in their balconies and courtyards.

Download the PCA25 New Orleans Smoking Guide at bit.ly/smokingguide

View the PCA25 Sponsor page to browse all current sponsor packages available and contact Lisa Sigler at [email protected] to secure one or more today!