PCA Acquires The Cigar Academy

The Premium Cigar Association (PCA) today announced the acquisition of The Cigar Academy (TCA) from Oliva Cigars, marking a significant step in advancing education, professionalization, and long-term development across the premium cigar industry.

With this acquisition, The Cigar Academy becomes the education and certification platform of the industry—an independent, domestic, and globally deployed program designed by and for the premium cigar community. Originally developed to preserve and transmit the artisanal knowledge, heritage, and cultural significance of cigar making, the Academy has evolved into a leading educational platform powered by advanced learning technology and direct collaboration with industry experts.

Now operating as a PCA-controlled business unit, TCA provides a scalable global infrastructure that positions the Association as the standard-setting authority in premium cigar education in the United States and internationally. The platform enters this next phase with a strong and established foundation, including a growing global user base, a steadily expanding community of certified professionals, and active partnerships across retail, manufacturing, duty-free, and hospitality.

Joshua Habursky, CEO of the Premium Cigar Association, commented:

“Education is the strongest tool we have to protect and advance the premium cigar industry. 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.”

Under PCA leadership, The Cigar Academy will expand its programming to include a dedicated retailer-focused curriculum launching later this year, as well as immersive, in-person training experiences at farms and factories in the United States and major producing countries, developed in partnership with domestic associations, growers, and manufacturers. The Association also plans to collaborate with academic institutions, including Florida International University, to introduce an online version of the Luxury Hospitality Executive Education Program.

Cory Bappert, CEO of Oliva Cigars, added:

“When Ricardo Carioni and Thomas Gryson first presented The Cigar Academy, we recognized its potential to elevate education across the industry. We are proud to have supported its early development and to see how it has grown into a meaningful global platform. We are delighted that it has found the right long-term home within the Premium Cigar Association, where it can continue to develop for the benefit of the entire industry.”

Learn more about The Cigar Academy at thecigaracademy.com.