From IPCPR to PCA — Where It All Started for Me

Back when it was still called IPCPR, the trade show wasn’t just another industry event—it was the place to be. If you were serious about cigars, that’s where you showed up, shook hands, told your story, and put your brand on the map.

For me, that moment came in 2008 in Orlando.

That show changed everything.

We brought LTT Cigars into that building with passion, grit, and a belief that we had something worth talking about. No big machine behind us, no shortcuts—just hard work and a love for the craft. And I’ll tell you this… IPCPR gave us a stage.

That was the spark.

That’s what set us on the map.

That’s what started the journey.

Now look—every journey has its chapters. Ours eventually came to an end, and that’s part of the game. Not every story lasts forever, but that doesn’t take away from what it meant, what it built, and what it taught me.

Fast forward to today, and the show is now the PCA.

Things have changed. The industry has changed. The vibe? Yeah… that’s changed too.

And that’s exactly why I’m here.

I’m going to start sharing my thoughts—real thoughts. Not sugar-coated, not watered down. I’ve seen the good, I’ve seen the bad… and trust me, I’ve seen the downright nasty. Haaaa.

But through it all, there’s still something special about this industry. The people, the stories, the grind—it’s still there if you know where to look.

So consider this just the beginning.

I’m pulling back the curtain.

Welcome to my take on PCA… past, present, and everything in between.

— Tampa Stogie Steve 🔥