Exclusive premiere at InterTabac 2025: New pre-event attracts the cigar industry

Global Forum brings together influential personalities from the world of cigars.

It was only in December that Messe Dortmund and The Cigar Academy from the USA announced their new partnership. Just three months later, the first exciting result of this collaboration is already available. And it’s a premiere. For the first time this year, the Cigar Culture Summit will take place on the day before InterTabac. This will enrich the trade fair with a top-class conference on the subject of cigars, one of the traditional core segments of InterTabac. The exclusive summit brings together the leading personalities of the cigar world: from legendary manufacturers and growers to influential media, importers and retailers. All united in the commitment and responsibility to shape the future of cigar culture.

Dortmund, 13.05.2025 – “Enjoyment. Knowledge. Network.” is the motto of the summit, which will celebrate its premiere on Wednesday, September 17, from 2 to 6.30 p.m. in the North Entrance of Messe Dortmund. Exciting panel discussions, informative workshops, exquisite tastings and exclusive networking opportunities will promote professional discussions and insights at the highest level.

Participants can expect deep and valuable insights into the topics and issues that move the industry. An exchange between industry experts from around the world that will provide participants with new approaches and fresh inspiration to take their own business to a new level.

Expert contributions on the topics that matter in the industry
The focus will be on three cornerstones. Firstly, tobacco – in all its varieties and aspects. Renowned cigar manufacturers, leading tobacco producers and industry experts will share their knowledge and experience on topics such as innovative and sustainable cultivation techniques and practices, specifics of growing regions around the world and analysis of global markets. Secondly, innovation. The focus here will be on issues of innovative production, storage and marketing. What influence does this have on the success of a cigar? Marketing vs. tobacco quality? The third important topic is retail: participating retailers will benefit from expert knowledge and input on how to develop creative concepts and offer a unique customer experience to stand out in a changing environment.

Important partners from the industry are already supporting the exclusive event and providing high-quality contributions. The first partners include, for example, the Cigar Association of America (CAA), a leading national trade association for the entire cigar industry in the USA, and the International Tobacco Growers’ Association (ITGA), which has been representing the interests of tobacco growers worldwide for 40 years. Vrijdag B.V., an innovative manufacturer of labels and luxury packaging with special print effects from the Netherlands, is also taking part as a sponsor. Well-known brands, including from the tobacco and spirits industry, entrust the company with their packaging tasks – especially for high-quality cigar bands.

“The CAA is very excited to participate in the Cigar Culture Summit 2025! This is a great opportunity to showcase the unique culture of the cigar industry and create opportunities for networking that will promote and grow the cigar industry,” comments Scott Pearce, President of the CAA. “We are excited to participate in the Summit
and want to promote knowledge and education regarding the design and manufacturing of high quality cigar bands, labels and boxes for our industry,” adds Henk Nota, Managing Director of Vrijdag.

In addition, Casa Turrent, a renowned manufacturer from Mexico, is already on board as an important player in the cigar world. CEO Alejandro Turrent on his company’s participation in the Cigar Culture Summit: “The Cigar Culture Summit is a tribute to our craft – a forum where tradition, innovation and passion come together. I am honored to participate in this global gathering and invite my colleagues in tobacco growing and cigar making to come to Dortmund as well. Together we can share knowledge, strengthen our community and shape the future of cigar culture worldwide.”

The summit will be followed by the Cigar Reception at 7:30 pm – an exclusive networking and entertainment experience with a perfect mix of exquisite cigars, fine drinks, great company and inspiring conversations.

With The Cigar Academy, the InterTabac team has a competent cooperation partner at its side. The Florida-based academy has set itself the task of protecting, maintaining and passing on the artisanal heritage and traditional knowledge underlying tobacco cultivation and cigar production. This is done through a comprehensive educational program developed and certified in collaboration with leading cigar manufacturers from the Dominican Republic, Nicaragua, Honduras and Mexico and delivered via a state-of-the-art learning platform, complemented by hybrid and on-site workshops.

>>> Companies and experts interested in participating in the Cigar Culture Summit 2025 can find more information about the program as well as registration and cooperation opportunities here .

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