MANY MEMBERS

ONE VOICE

ABOUT US

We at Boutique Cigar Association (BCA) are proud to be a part of the cigar industry and to be able to contribute to its growth by helping small businesses develop into successful brands.

At BCA, we believe in the power of partnerships and working together. Our goal is to help you, the cigar manufacturer, achieve success and reach your goals through a collaborative effort built on dedication, expertise and a passion for your brand.

Our team has been working with premium cigar manufacturers since 2020 and we unite for the cause to fully support the people in the cigar industry and to protect the livelihoods of family-owned cigar businesses and small cigar manufacturers. Together, with unified collaboration with the Premium Cigar Association (PCA), Cigar Rights of America (CRA), and Cigar Association of America, we pledge to defend the cigar industry’s freedoms and livelihood against overreaching government regulations.

 

WHO WE ARE

WE ARE OF PROFESSIONALS

business owners and manufacturers devoted to the art of the cigar industry as well as to helping each other. We’re passionate about revolutionizing the way the premium cigar industry, delivers an exceptional experience that inspires creativity, innovation, and a sense of community. We speak with one collective voice to share knowledge with each member of the association and with the cigar consumers.

WE ARE PROUD

of the path we have taken to place a high priority on underscoring the importance of the boutique cigar brands, owners, companies and retailers. Today we are recognized as an integral partner to the extent that the boutique cigar segment has earned a well-deserved prominence alongside the premium cigar market industry leaders.

WE ARE CRITICALLY AWARE

of the importance of federal, state and local laws and compliance benchmarks. In bringing together the small cigar businesses, we continue to ensure that owners are aware of the state of the industry and our philosophy for advancing the sector.

EACH ELEMENT OF OUR NEW BRAND

has a meaning unto itself. The strength of our association is measured by the power of each member and the brands they represent. As a whole we are a family of one, supported by several who serve many!

BRAND STORY

L

Moss Green (Inner Leaf)

Born of the soil, lush and resilient. A foundation carpeting the earth, it serves as both pathway and covering, beckoning the traveler to come and find contentment. Our home is where our brothers and sisters' dwell, a place for our boutique brands to find one voice and stand together.
L

Ocean Green (Outer Leaf)

An ocean is vast, covering two thirds of our planet. It sustains life above and below. It is unrelenting and a force to be respected and appreciated. Just as one drop of water can become an ocean; it is true that one seed becomes a plantation. The cycle is eternal. Tide and crop know no end. Every new harvest is a beginning bringing new life, more passion, and innovation chapters.

THE LEAF

From one comes many. Alone it is just a small part of the whole. Yet, each tiny green leaf has a rendezvous with time; to mature into its own greatness. Together we are the dream that becomes the reality.

THE FINGERPRINT

The symbol of identity and pulse. Our uniqueness of being individual is just like each ridge and swirl. Isolated it is merely lines and means nothing; Unified the ‘fingerprint’ or mark signifies commitment to excelence and promise to gain greater achievement in all we endeavor to accomplish

THE MOMENTUM DIRECTIVE

Momentum is defined as the quantity of motion of a moving body. Forward direction is when people or groups are responsible for organizing people and activities. Combined the Momentum directive is the process of consistently delivering an experience of movement in a forward motion that is linked to progress and attainment of goals.

The People Behind the Boutique Cigar Association

The BCA was founded in 2015 by Dr. Gaby Kafie of Kafie 1901 Cigars. In 2020, we created a Board to manage the day-to-day affairs of the organization. The Board consists of 7 members elected to a 2-year period by the membership of the Boutique Cigar Association. Eligibility for officer roles includes a member in good standing, at least 1 year as a member of the association, participation during all monthly member meetings, attendance/vendor at festivals and pavilion.

Committees

Serving on a committee is vital to the continued success of the organization. Committees serve as work units of the organization, taking projects, events, goals and a variety of other important functions and breaking them into meaningful and manageable pieces. They efficiently carry out the work of the organization with the purpose of providing value to the membership, education, resources and a unified voice.

Servicing on a committee has many benefits namely:

Expand Your Professional Network

Demonstrate and Develop Your Leadership Skills

Acquire New Knowledge

Pay it Forward

Committees are the operating system of our association. Consider becoming a member but also how you can personally contribute to the development and delivery of services, represent the community with your opinion in decision-making and policy strategy and most important to help other members prosper and grow through individual and group collaboration. As a committee member, you also have the opportunity for you to participate in problem-solving activities and serves as a forum to recognize and address multiple points of view. Committees are also a training platform for our leadership, assessing and mastering individual skills and abilities.

Festival Events Committee

Provide leadership

Facilitate communication and discussion during the meetings

Serve as spokespersons within the organization

Facilitate the meeting according to the agenda

Provide research as needed

Send out meeting reminders and agendas

Stay in regular communication with the membership

Bring the viewpoint of the Board of Directors to the membership

Bring action items and recommendations from the Committee to the Board when necessary.

Festival Events Committee

There are currently two annual events that the BCA Members can participate and enjoy: The BCA Festival and the PCA Boutique Cigar Pavilion. These events are continuing to shape the industry by promoting and featuring the best in small family-owned premium cigar brands. The Festival Committee provides a welcoming and inclusive environment for cigar industry professionals, including brand owners, retailers, distributors, accessory companies, media outlets, and of course, the individual consumer and cigar enthusiast. The event features brand owners, private access for retailers, booths for accessory companies, publicity and participation from PCA, CRA and other notable industry icons, entertainment, food and beverages, raffle prizes and a special private event for VIPs.

With Board consensus, the Events Committee organizes speakers, costs, refreshments and venue of each event, works with the membership committee to arrange for registration, distribution of any relevant attendees’ materials and contractual requirements. The objective is to promote the events to a wide audience of cigar industry-related businesses and the public who may be interested in our work to ensure all members of the BCA can grow and thrive.

The responsibilities of the Festival Committee Chairperson include:

Organizing the volunteer leadership

Planning event organizational structure

Establishing a budget for Board approval

Taking direction from the Board as to desired future directions for the festival

Preparing an operational summary report following the event

Responsibilities of the committee members include:

Understand requirements for each event

Plan event with attention to financial and time constraints

Book venues and schedule speakers

Research vendors (catering, decorators, musicians etc.) and choose the best combination of quality and cost

Negotiate with vendors to achieve the most favorable terms

Hire personnel

Manage all event operations (preparing venue, invitations etc.)

Do final checks at the day of the event (e.g. tables, technology) to ensure everything meets standards

Oversee event happenings and act quickly to resolve problems

Evaluate event’s success and submit reports

BCA Seal Approval Committee

The BCA Seal of Quality Committee is tasked with overseeing and ensuring the condition of the individual member company’s standing regarding the defined principles of the organization.

The Seal is a symbol of quality and should be properly incorporated into advertising and marketing materials including brochures, websites, business cards, email signatures and all other public-facing materials. We recognize the importance of providing a comprehensive review of the brand’s delivery of a quality product, adherence to corporate structure and Members of the organization can apply for the Seal which is only available to cigar brand owners who are current members of the BCA and PCA respectively.

01

Company Structure

02

Factory on record

03

Brand Quality / Compliance / Reach / Registered Trademarks

04

Tobacco Quality/Process/Testing

05

Packaging Standards

06

Innovation:

07

Customer satisfaction:

08

Retailer Interest/Feedback

In summary, the Seal of Approval certificate is a highly sought-after accolade that recognizes products that meet the highest standards of quality, innovation, customer satisfaction, ethical practices, and brand reputation. This certification can give consumers confidence and assurance in the products they are purchasing and can help businesses differentiate themselves and gain a competitive edge in the market.

MEMBERSHIP ROSTER

CHARLIE ALBANETTI

Abbina Craft Sipping Soda

ALAN ROULEAU

Alan Rouleau Couture

MARIO CARABALLO

Casa Caraballo Cigars

CATHY M.POTURNY

CigarBox Marketing

ARMEN CAPRIELIAN

DAV Cigars

ANDY TRAUTMAN

Ferrera Cigars

GREG FREE

Fuerte y Libre Cigars Inc

DR. GARO BOULDOUKIAN

Garo Cigars

RON PECORINI

Great Cigar & Pipe Show

DR OSCAR RODRIGUEZ

GTO Cigars

FOUAD KASHOUTY

Hiram & Solomon Cigars

DIAB ELLAN

House of Cigar

GREGORY KOVSKY

Islamorada Cigar Company

DR. GABY KAFIE

Kafie 1901 Cigars

KEVIN KING BROWN

Konscious Cigars

J.J. JORDAN III JAMIE DE VIESE

Mountain Smoke Premium Tobacco

OSVALDO MORALES

OM Cigar Co.

CHET KING

Over the Rhine Premium Cigars

SHAUN WILKINSON

Rebellion Cigars LLC

JOHN STEWART

Sagrado Cigars

PETE SHULTIS

SZ Wholesale

MICHAEL LEWIS

The Leaf Society

ART GARCIA

Segovias De Esteli Cigars

AARON PAOLETTA

LaVega Cigar Co.

Drew Nicastro

Gato Negro Cigar Co.

Colleen Castro

Lord Baltimore Distributors

JAY CLARK BOB SCHILLER

Vicarias Cigars

BRIAN SCHMITTDIEL

Founders CIgar Company

Arielle Ditkowich

La Sirena Cigars

Pierre Jebian

HumidifGroup

Michael Gant

The Gant Collective
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