InterTabac 2026: First conference program highlights now available online

International experts provide insights into regulation, market trends, and future industry developments.

Only three months remain until the international tobacco and nicotine industry gathers once again in Dortmund. Together with NUBIZ and InterSupply, the world’s leading trade show InterTabac will bring together around 800 exhibitors from across the globe in eleven exhibition halls. The industry uses the platform provided by the three events to showcase innovations, present market trends, and strengthen professional networks. Additional guidance comes from the high-class conference program. Keynotes, panel discussions, and masterclasses enable trade visitors not only to observe market developments but also to understand and interpret them, helping them make informed decisions for their businesses. The first program highlights are now available online.

Dortmund, 18 June 2026 – The conference program focuses on the very issues shaping the industry today – from international regulation and sustainability to harm reduction and innovative product categories. A first look at the agenda already promises in-depth, practical insights. The program on the website will be continuously expanded and updated.

In developing and delivering the conference program, Messe Dortmund can rely on key industry partners who contribute both expertise and specialist knowledge. Among the leading experts already confirmed for Dortmund is Pablo Cano Trilla, Director of Legal Research and Analysis at Tamarind Intelligence. In his keynote on the opening day of the trade fair (September 15), he will examine the regulatory frameworks governing both traditional tobacco products and novel nicotine products. This gives trade visitors the opportunity to discuss current regulatory developments directly with experts and better assess their implications for their own business activities.

Also on September 15, Paul Varakas, Director General of the European Cigar Manufacturers Association (ECMA), and Joshua Habursky, CEO of the Premium Cigar Association (PCA), will take a focused look at the increasing regulatory pressure facing the cigar sector in both the European Union and the United States during a dedicated session.

Those wishing to explore the U.S. cigar market in greater depth can attend the presentation by Dan Cotter, Vice President of Finance & Operations for the Cigar Association of America (CAA) and the Pipe Tobacco Council, on the second day of the event (September 16). His data-driven presentation will provide valuable decision-making insights for manufacturers, importers, and retailers seeking to identify developments in the U.S. market at an early stage and align their business planning accordingly.

On the same day, Raphael Moreau, Senior Research Consultant at Euromonitor, will examine the key trends shaping the nicotine and tobacco industry against the backdrop of changing consumer habits, product innovation, and evolving regulatory frameworks.

On Wednesday, the Global Institute for Novel Nicotine (GINN) will present two high-profile business-focused sessions addressing the market access challenges expected to define the coming decade. The panel discussion “We’re Right but We’re Losing – How the Nicotine Sector Wastes Its Own Advantage” will address what many consider the industry’s greatest strategic blind spot. Despite strong scientific evidence supporting harm reduction, companies continue to invest heavily in brand competition while underinvesting in evidence generation, market surveillance, legal enforcement, and regulatory infrastructure – the very factors that will ultimately determine long-term commercial success and market survival. This will be followed by the deep-dive session “Making Evidence Travel: A Three-Region Blueprint for Market Access,” which offers a practical solution-oriented approach: a robust, cross-regional evidence strategy capable of meeting the requirements of the U.S. FDA, addressing regulatory debates within the European Union, and adapting to the emerging post-prohibition frameworks developing across Latin America.

Visitors experience international expertise live
Visitors to InterTabac, NUBIZ, and InterSupply will not only gain an overview of new products and market trends but also access to decision-makers, market data, and regulatory insights that are expected to shape the industry’s development in the years ahead. The combination of trade show, conference program, and international networking makes Dortmund a key meeting point for anyone seeking to base their business strategy on reliable information and strong professional connections.

>>> Trade show tickets are already available in the online shop.