The Premium Cigar Association has acquired The Cigar Academy from Oliva Cigars. The Academy, now a PCA business unit, will serve as the association’s primary education and certification platform for the premium cigar trade. It will continue to offer online courses and expand into retailer‑focused classes and training at farms and factories in producing regions. PCA plans to work with industry groups and academic partners, including Florida International University, on hospitality‑focused programming.
“Education is the strongest tool we have to protect and advance the premium cigar industry,” Joshua Habursky, CEO of the Premium Cigar Association, said in a press release. “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.”
