In just a few hours, the doors will open on InterTabac 2026, with Dortmund once again preparing to become the meeting point for the international tobacco and cigar industry.

Taking place from 15–17 September, InterTabac brings together manufacturers, distributors, retailers, tobacconists and other industry professionals from around the world. More than 800 exhibitors from around 70 countries are expected, with the show covering everything from cigars and pipe tobacco to accessories, smoking products and next-generation categories.

But before the main show opens its doors to trade visitors — and while everyone got the chance to get set up…

… the cigar industry has already enjoyed its own day in the spotlight.

Thanks to Cigar Amigos for the photos from Dortmund.

Today saw the second edition of the Cigar Culture Summit, a dedicated forum focused on the business, challenges and future of the handmade cigar industry. Rather than simply being a showcase for new products, the Summit is designed around the bigger issues facing the sector — from emerging markets and distribution to luxury positioning, regulation, leadership and changing consumer expectations.

This year’s programme, themed “Innovation, Origin & Future,” offered a particularly international perspective.

One session examined Asia 2026, looking at markets including Greater China, Japan, South Korea and Southeast Asia, and asking the commercially important question of what actually sells. Discussions covered taste preferences, price tolerance, gifting culture, cigar lounges and the role of exclusivity and limited editions.

The focus then moved to the Middle East, where speakers explored the region’s growing luxury cigar market and the importance of hospitality channels such as lounges, hotels and private clubs.

One of the day’s more personal sessions came from Ra’ed W. Saqfelhait of The Leaf Master, who spoke about managing a premium cigar business through a period of conflict. His presentation looked beyond cigars at leadership, resilience, operational disruption and the importance of genuine business partnerships during times of crisis.

Africa was also firmly on the agenda, with “Africa – Early Entry, Smart Timing, Realistic Expectations” examining the opportunities — and realities — of markets including South Africa, Nigeria, Kenya, Morocco and Angola.

The day closed with a look towards the next decade of handmade cigars, exploring changing consumer expectations, tobacco cultivation, technology and data, as well as the increasingly important role of lounges, experiences and cigar community.

That forward-looking approach provides an interesting prelude to the main InterTabac show.

InterTabac’s organisers say the 2026 event will bring more than 800 exhibitors together across 12 halls, with around 14,500 trade visitors expected from approximately 80 countries.

After a day spent asking where the cigar industry is heading, today is the day to see — and experience — what is actually coming next.

And later this evening, from 5:45pm UK time, the popular Cigar Trophy Awards will take place. This year, the awards will also be broadcast live on social media, so you can watch along via Facebook or YouTube.

Sadly, I can’t make it out there myself this year as I’ve already used up all my annual leave from work 🤦‍♂️ — and, honestly, I’m gutted! The FOMO is very real. So, for now, I’ll have to experience InterTabac vicariously through everyone on the ground and bring you the highlights from afar.

In the meantime, there’s some great coverage of this year’s InterTabac from:

• Halfwheel
• Cigar Journal

And if you want to get a flavour of what InterTabac is like, you can read my full report from when I attended a couple of years ago.