Cigar Aficionado

Cigar class will soon be in session. The Premium Cigar Association (PCA) has teamed up with Keiser University Latin American Campus and Cámara Nicaragüense de Tabacaleros (the Nicaraguan Chamber of Tobacco) to create a four-day business course designed for cigar industry professionals. 

Called “The Business of Premium Cigars: Strategy, Operations, Branding, and Experiences That Build Legacy,” the 32-hour course is meant to teach students a range of business and leadership skills pertaining to the premium cigar industry. The non-credit, executive-education program will take place in Managua, Nicaragua, at Keiser University Latin American Campus, and will conclude with a gala graduation ceremony. The full course is broken up into four in-person classes (eight hours each) that start in June and take place over a period of four Saturdays. 

The sessions will feature recognized cigarmakers and industry leaders as lecturers, including:

• Juan Martínez, executive president of Joya de Nicaragua

• Ernesto Milanés, head of tobacco and pre-industry at Oliva Cigars

• Skip Martin, co-founder of RoMa Craft Tobac

• Ariath Zeledón, head of manufacturing, Nicaragua, at Scandinavian Tobacco Group

• Karen Berger, owner of Karen Berger Cigars

• Indiana Ortez, owner of Casa de Ortez

• Mario Perez, factory manager at Villiger Cigars

PCA says that more lecturers will be announced in the coming days. 

“The premium cigar industry stands at the intersection of craftsmanship, agricultural heritage, and global entrepreneurship,” says Joshua Habursky, PCA’s chief executive officer. “We are extremely proud to collaborate with Keiser University and the Nicaraguan Tobacco Chamber on this initiative. By bringing together industry expertise and academic rigor, this program helps prepare the next generation of leaders who will shape the future of premium cigars.”

According to the PCA, the course is intended for business owners, executives, managers, emerging talent and entrepreneurs in the cigar industry and other related fields. Curriculum topics will include premium cigar business strategy, operations, branding, finance and international trade.

“We expect around 30 students, which is the standard for global business executive programs like this one,” Ricardo Carioni, PCA’s director of international affairs and education, tells Cigar Aficionado. “Keiser will be reviewing applications up until the first week of May.”

To apply for the course, visit Keiser University’s website at the link below: keiserlanding.keiseruniversity.edu.ni/el-negocio-del-tabaco-premium-2026

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