First Cigar Culture Summit at InterTabac: Secure your tickets now

Ticket buyers benefit from planning tool – programme offers many insights 

It will be a highlight for the international cigar industry: On September 17, one day before the start of InterTabac and InterSupply, the first Cigar Culture Summit will take place. Under the motto “Pleasure. Knowledge. Connection.” Messe Dortmund and The Cigar academy have put together a programme that covers all the important topics and brings together the industry’s leading figures. Those who secure a ticket now will have the opportunity to create their own individual summit programme. 

Dortmund, 12 September 2025 – After purchasing a ticket, participants receive an online tool that allows them to compile the programme items that interest them. They then receive their own “timetable” with topics, times, and locations as a guide for the day. The Cigar Culture Summit starts at 13:00 hrs at the North Entrance and is divided into three streams dedicated to different topics and target groups. Streams 1 and 2 will be in English, while Stream 3 will be in German. A complete overview is available here. However, here are a few examples to whet your appetite for this exclusive summit: 

Stream 1 (“London” conference room)
The in-depth, forward-looking panel discussions in this stream are primarily aimed at manufacturers, wholesalers, retailers, and suppliers. Speakers include Ricardo Carioni, co-founder of The Cigar Academy and Director of International Affairs and Education at the Premium Cigar Association, Alejandro Turrent (CEO at Casa Turrent), Masterblender Claudio Sgroi, Mercedes Vázquez (CEO of the International Tobacco Growers Association, ITGA), Henk Nota (Managing Director at Vrijdag), Joshua Habursky (Executive Director of the Premium Cigar Association, PCA), and Scott Pearce (President of the Cigar Association of America, CAA). Topics will for example include regulations and their impact on the premium cigar market, as well as a deep dive into the topic of cigar bands. 

Stream 2 (“Brügge” conference room)
The workshops are aimed at wholesalers, retailers, and cigar clubs. They will be led by representatives from Boveda, Villiger Cigars, Luciano Cigars, Cigar Journal, CST Consulting, and the Humidif Group. In addition to cigar tastings, this stream will also feature innovations in packaging and the art of combining tradition and innovation. 

Stream 3 (“Bergen” conference room)
The third stream is dedicated to cigar and pipe retailers in the DACH region. In times of change, specialist retailers need inspiration to start the future strong, confident, and with fresh ideas. This is the focus of the presentation by Mike Assmann (smokerspress columnist and partner of the Smokers Business Academy, among other things) entitled “From spark to flame: How to keep your passion burning in turbulent times” (“Vom Funken zur Flamme: Wie Sie in stürmischen Zeiten Ihre Leidenschaft am Brennen halten”).. Johann Gallée, CEO of Dios Tabaco, also contributes to this with his presentation “Pleasure in transition” (“Genuss im Wandel”). Other presentations and discussions will focus on topics such as community building and the influence of regulations. Speakers from “Light’em Up”, “Etwas Genuss”, “Wagemut”, and “Starke Zigarren” will be among those participating. 

Tickets for the Cigar Culture Summit, as well as for the Cigar Reception, which will bring the day to a delightful close at 19:30 hrs, are available on the website. 

>>> Journalists are very welcome to report on the Cigar Culture Summit. Accreditation is possible online — a separate press ticket in addition to the press ticket for the trade show is available here. If you are arriving by car, parking spaces are available in parking lot A4 (site overview) with the keyword “Cigar Culture Summit”.