InterTabac and ECMA Agree on Strategic Partnership

The European Cigar Manufacturers Association (ECMA) and Messe Dortmund, organiser of the world’s leading trade show InterTabac, will be joining forces in the future. The strategic partnership, which will take effect for the first time in 2026, will strengthen the trade show both in terms of content and concept. The shared goal is to further develop InterTabac and align it even more closely with the needs of the industry, while continuing to expand key formats such as the Cigar Culture Summit.

By joining forces, the European Cigar Manufacturers Association and Messe Dortmund are sending a clear signal regarding InterTabac’s global role and the significance of the European cigar industry. On the one hand, the new strategic partnership underscores the segment’s importance as one of the key focal areas of the trade show; on the other hand, it provides new momentum for the advancement of the event and its program.

Cigars have been among InterTabac’s core segments since its first edition. ECMA brings together world leading cigar manufacturers from across Europe and represents their interests at European level. Against this backdrop, the collaboration is a natural fit for both sides. “The partnership with the ECMA strengthens InterTabac in terms of content and underlines our commitment to advancing relevant industry topics together with strong partners. Particularly with regard to formats such as the Cigar Culture Summit, this cooperation opens up additional perspectives for dialogue, depth, and international networking,” emphasizes Sabine Loos, Managing Director of the Westfalenhallen Unternehmensgruppe which owns and operates the Messe Dortmund venue. “Our collaboration therefore also makes an important contribution to the continuous development of the trade show.”

Among other activities, ECMA advocates for a differentiated regulatory framework, the protection of traditional manufacturing methods, as well as quality and origin standards. In addition, ECMA serves as a knowledge platform for market and industry-related topics and promotes exchange within the European cigar industry – making InterTabac the ideal stage for the association’s activities. As ECMA members account for more than 85 percent of cigars and cigarillos placed on the EU market, the organisers are securing a strong industry voice for the trade show in the long term.

Benefits for the trade show and the industry
For InterTabac, the collaboration represents a strategic expansion of its existing partner network: ECMA and its member companies contribute extensive industry expertise and close connections to key target groups. This expertise will now also feed into the evolution of InterTabac. At the same time, InterTabac serves as an established platform to highlight the activities of ECMA and its members. In Dortmund, the association has the opportunity to present itself to a large professional audience within a strong market environment and to generate targeted reach, visibility, and valuable contacts within the international industry.

Paul Varakas, ECMA Director General, explains why the cooperation with InterTabac is valuable for the association: “The InterTabac trade fair stands out as a key event each year, providing an excellent opportunity to explore the cultural and enjoyment aspects of cigars and cigarillos. This trade show serves as a prime platform for exchanging ideas, attracting cigar company owners and executives from across the globe. The trade fair has continued to develop positively over the years, and we are happy to see cigars put back as one of the core segments of the fair. In fact, InterTabac holds a special place in our hearts; where ECMA was awarded with the 2025 Cigar Journal’s Ambassador Trophy Award after 30 years of representation and defence of the cigar sector in Europe”.