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

Global forum unites influential figures in the cigar world shaping the future of the industry.

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 is a premiere. For the first time this year, the Cigar Culture Summit will take place on the day before InterTabac. The trade show will thus be enhanced by a high-level conference and networking focused on cigars, one of the traditional core segments of InterTabac. The summit, an exclusive gathering that will unite the leading figures in the cigar world: from legendary manufacturers and growers to influential media, importers and retailers. All united with the commitment and responsibility to shape the future of the cigar culture.

Dortmund, 13 May 2025 – ‘Pleasure. Knowledge. Connection.’ is the ethos of the summit, which will celebrate its debut on Wednesday, September 17, from 14:00 to 18:30 hrs at the North Entrance of Messe Dortmund. Engaging panel discussions, immersive educational workshops, exquisite tastings, and exclusive networking opportunities are designed to foster meaningful discussions and insights at the highest level. For an unparalleled convergence of expertise, innovation, and collaboration.

What can participants expect? Deep and valuable insights into the topics and questions that matter for the industry. An exchange among industry experts from all over the world that will provide participants with new approaches and fresh inspiration to take their own business to a new level.

Expert input on what matters for the industry
Focus will be on three cornerstones. First: Tobacco – in all its varieties and aspects. Renowned cigar manufacturers, leading tobacco producers and industry experts will share their knowledge and expertise on topics like innovative and sustainable cultivation techniques and practices, the special characteristics of the growing regions around the world and the analysis of global markets. Second: Innovation, with an emphasis on questions about innovative production, storage and marketing. How does this influence the success of a cigar? Marketing vs tobacco quality? The third and finally topic is retail: Participating retailers will benefit from expert knowledge on how to develop creative concepts and offer a unique customer experience to stand out in a evolving environment.

Renown partners from the industry are currently being recruited to ensure high-quality input. Among the first partners are 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 printing effects from the Netherlands, will also be taking part as a sponsor. Well-known brands in tobacco and spirits, among others, trust the company with their packaging challenges – especially for high-quality cigar bands.

‘The CAA is very excited to participate in the Cigar Culture Summit 2025! This is a terrific opportunity to showcase the unique culture of the cigar industry and provide ways to connect that will promote and grow the cigar industry’, comments Scott Pearce, President of the CAA.
‘We are excited to participate in the Summit and we aim to promote knowledge and education regarding the design and the manufacturing of premium cigar bands, labels and boxes for our industry’, adds Henk Nota, Managing Director of Vrijdag.

In addition, with Casa Turrent, renowned manufacturer from Mexico, there is already a major player from the cigar world on board. CEO Alejandro Turrent on his participation at the Cigar Culture Summit: “The Cigar Culture Summit is a vital celebration of our craft — a forum where tradition, innovation, and passion come together. I’m honored to join this global gathering and invite my fellow tobacco growers and cigar makers to stand with me in Dortmund. 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 19:30 hrs – 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 is dedicated to protecting, cultivating and passing on the craft heritage and traditional knowledge underlying tobacco growing and cigar making. This is accomplished through a comprehensive educational programme developed and certified in conjunction with leading cigar manufacturers from the Dominican Republic, Nicaragua, Honduras and Mexico and offered via a high-tech advanced learning platform, complemented with hybrid and in person workshops.

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

All the latest key information, updates and developments are available 24/7 on the trade show website or LinkedIn.