The Cigar Association of America (CAA) announced today that entrepreneur and author Joshua Evarts will speak at the 2026 CAA & PTC Annual Meeting, taking place November 5-7 at The Breakers in Palm Beach, Florida.

Evarts brings decades of experience building and transforming businesses across multiple industries. Early in his career, Evarts founded the largest short-run optical media production company in the United States. He later served as chief technology officer at A.T. Solutions, a $200 million defense contractor, overseeing critical IT projects that included FBI evidence collection management.

In 2012, Evarts turned his attention to real estate development and historic restoration in downtown Meridian, Idaho. Through Novembrewhisky Properties, Evarts continues to lead the revitalization of historic downtown properties while overseeing large-scale residential and commercial projects. In 2017, out of his passion for cigars, Evarts opened Vault Cigar Lounge in the restored Bank of Meridian. He has since become increasingly involved in the premium cigar industry, including directly supporting the opening of six additional cigar lounges in Idaho.

Evarts shares insights from his career in his new book, “If Jesus Smoked Cigars: 8 Lessons in Relational Leadership.” Published in 2026, the book draws on Evarts’ experiences to explore how relationships shape effective leadership and long-term business success. All CAA members attending the annual meeting will receive a complimentary copy of the book.

During his session, Evarts will share how the connections he has built throughout his career have played a key role in his success. He will discuss how the principles in his book can help members strengthen their businesses and navigate the unique challenges facing the cigar industry.

The 2026 CAA & PTC Annual Meeting will be held November 5-7 at The Breakers Palm Beach. Additional information about the meeting and its programming will be announced in the coming weeks.