Behind the Tradition: The Story and Spirit of the CAA Annual Meeting

Each year, when members of the Cigar Association of America (CAA) and their guests gather for the Annual Meeting, they take part in a tradition that has helped shape the cigar industry for generations.

The Annual Meeting is where leaders come together to exchange ideas, discuss challenges, and strengthen the industry’s foundation. It continues a legacy built over more than a century on collaboration, innovation, and respect for tradition.

From Separate Voices to One Industry

The CAA’s roots trace back to 1890, when the Cigar Manufacturers’ Association of New York was founded to support local producers and raise the industry’s standing. Over time, other organizations emerged, including the Cigar Institute of America and the Cigar Research Council, each contributing to advocacy, research, and manufacturing standards.

By 1937, the Cigar Manufacturers’ Association of America had taken shape, coordinating national efforts for the growing cigar trade. For decades, the Cigar Manufacturers’ Association, the Cigar Institute of America, and the Cigar Research Council held a joint annual meeting that reflected their collective drive to strengthen the industry through cooperation and discussion.

In 1972, that collaboration took a formal step forward when the Cigar Institute of America and the Cigar Research Council merged into the Cigar Manufacturers’ Association. Two years later, the group adopted a new name: the Cigar Association of America.

That consolidation marked more than a reorganization—it established the framework for today’s CAA Annual Meeting, which continues to bring together manufacturers, importers, distributors, and retailers from across the cigar world.

The Meaning Behind the Meeting

The modern event features board sessions, policy discussions, and opportunities to connect, but its purpose has stayed the same: to gather the people who drive the cigar industry and focus on what matters most. Around a table or over a cigar, this meeting is where priorities are set, relationships are strengthened, and the next chapter of the industry begins.

Honoring the Past, Looking Ahead

As the CAA and its members prepare for the 2025 Annual Meeting at The Boca Raton, we continue a tradition that has brought the industry together for decades. What started as cooperation among separate groups has grown into an annual gathering where leaders reflect on the past, address today’s challenges, and plan for what’s ahead.