The Premium Cigar Association has acquired The Cigar Academy from Oliva Cigars, bringing the education and certification platform under PCA control.
The program was originally developed to preserve knowledge around cigar making, including its history and craftsmanship. Under PCA, it will now serve as a broader training and certification resource for the premium cigar industry, with plans to expand both in the U.S. and internationally.
“Education is the strongest tool we have to protect and advance the premium cigar industry,” said Joshua Habursky, CEO of the Premium Cigar Association. “This acquisition reinforces our commitment to making education a core pillar of our mission—expanding PCA’s role beyond advocacy into global professional development and certification. Through The Cigar Academy, we are investing in the future of our industry by establishing a unified, elevated standard of knowledge across the trade and enthusiast community. We are grateful to Oliva Cigars for their vision and partnership, and we look forward to expanding this platform globally through academic collaborations and across the PCA membership.”
PCA says future plans include a retailer-focused curriculum, as well as in-person training at farms and factories in the U.S. and abroad. The association also plans to work with academic institutions, including Florida International University, on additional education programs.
Oliva Cigars CEO Cory Bappert added:
“When Ricardo Carioni and Thomas Gryson first presented The Cigar Academy, we recognized its potential to elevate education across the industry. We are proud to have supported its early development and to see how it has grown into a meaningful global platform. We are delighted that it has found the right long-term home within the Premium Cigar Association, where it can continue to develop for the benefit of the entire industry.”
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