Retail Membership Interest Form

History and Nature of the TAA

First established in 1968, the Tobacconists’ Association of America (“TAA”) membership is comprised of the tobacco industry’s most prominent retailers and manufacturers. The Annual TAA Convention and Meeting is designed to allow both sides of membership an opportunity to network, engage and explore the best opportunities of the retail tobacco industry.

Tobacconists’ Association of America, Ltd. (“TAA”) is not a typical industry trade association; rather it is more akin to a group purchasing cooperative. TAA’s membership is extremely limited and by invitation only. The TAA accepts less than a handful of new retail members each year, if any.

What is a TAA Retail Member?

A Retail Member is the business entity of the brick-and-mortar establishment. Please note that TAA Memberships are non-transferable and may not be used in connection with the sale of a Member’s business. Only the TAA Board of Directors may offer Retail Membership based on space availability, recommendations of Associate and Retail Members, a successful interview, and satisfaction of the qualifications of Retail Membership.

Selection Process for New Retail Member Candidates

The selection process for new retail members is multifaceted. Many considerations are given to each nomination for final approval by the TAA Board of Directors (BOD). Your shop or your name may have been offered up by a TAA Associate Member, a TAA Retail Member or you may have been recognized as a leader within the industry for several reasons. Each candidate is reviewed by the TAA Membership Committee during the Fall time frame. The committee then selects several candidates based on the needs of the Association’s membership. Once the committee has prepared the initial list, the list will be presented to the full BOD for consideration. Each BOD member will then have the opportunity to evaluate and research each candidate. From there, the approved candidates will be privately interviewed by the TAA Executive Director using the board-approved criteria. The Executive Director will present the list of qualifying candidates to the full BOD for asking permission to send a Retail Application for Membership. Completion of the application does not guarantee membership. The membership committee will review the applications and submit a final list of Retailers to the full Board for one final review and secret ballot for the final nomination into the TAA.

Benefits of TAA Retail Membership:

The ability to attend the TAA Annual Convention and Meeting.
The ability to purchase all Exclusive Series Products (“ESP”) to be sold in registered retail stores and websites, per supplier agreements.
The chance to benefit from special Springtime buying opportunities during the Mini-Trade Show, as per supplier agreements.
Participation in Convention TAA Deals and Data program as per supplier agreements.
The benefit of receiving aggregated, collective information from industry peers and B2B trend reports.
The opportunity to network with top industry professionals during the Annual Convention and Meeting.
The opportunity to take part in special TAA Deals and Data Retail Member deals, as per supplier agreements.
The ability to use the TAA 365 App throughout the year.

Qualifications of TAA Retail Membership:

Operates as a premium cigar and other tobacco products retailer offering a selection of pipes, cigars and related accessories for the use and enjoyment of tobacco products with at least one brick-and-mortar location (“B&M location”).
Conducts a business primarily dedicated to the sale of tobacco.
Complies with all applicable local, state and federal laws relating to the operation of a retail tobacco store.
Has operated as a premium cigar and other tobacco products retailer for at least five years.
Is a member in good standing with the Premium Cigar Association for at least five consecutive years.
Is an active and paid member in a state association dedicated to defending the tobacco industry which participates in public policy advocacy to protect and advance the premium cigar industry (applicable only if available in your state).
Business operation must have an electronic point-of sale system (“POS”).
Company principal(s) must be actively involved in the Company’s business operations.
Must be willing and able to attend the TAA Annual Convention and Meeting every year and actively participate in the TAA Mini-Trade Show and Dream Machine Auction during the Annual Convention and Meeting.
Must have an active business account with 80% or more of the current list of TAA Associate Members.
Must be willing to disclose all websites owned, operated or for which the retailer has contracted.
Must be willing to (anonymously) participate in surveys relating to general data that is collected from the retailer’s POS and financial records to be shared in aggregate with TAA membership.
Must be recommended by TAA Associate and Retail Members with five letters of reference from TAA Associate Members and at least two letters of reference from TAA Retail Members.
Retailers that have exhibited clear and repeated abusive, hostile and/or anticompetitive conduct toward other members of the cigar industry will not be eligible for membership.

Terms and Obligations of TAA Retail Membership:

Must comply with all TAA Qualifications of Retail Membership.
Must be current on registrations and fees associated with the TAA.
Must be in good standing with the TAA and with all TAA Associate Members (including, but not limited to, being current on all outstanding invoices due).
Must have an active business account with 80% or more of the current list of TAA Associate Members.
Company principal(s) must attend the TAA Annual Convention and Meeting four out of five years, including the Mini-Trade Show. Convention and Meeting attendance will be counted at the Mini-Trade Show. Company principal(s) must attend all Associate Member-sponsored events during the Annual Convention and Meeting each year.
Must be willing to (anonymously) participate in surveys relating to general data that is collected from the member’s POS and financial records to be shared in aggregate with TAA Membership.
Must be willing to actively participate in the TAA Mini-Trade Show and TAA Deals and Data Auction during the Annual Convention and Meeting.
Must be willing to actively participate in the TAA Virtual Events as scheduled.
Must actively purchase and promote the TAA ESP each year.
Must present all TAA ESP at the manufacturer suggested retail price either in B&M locations or on websites at no more than a 10% discount on the manufacturer suggested retail price.
Must be willing to disclose all websites owned, operated or for which the member has contracted.
Must not ship any TAA ESP to anyone that is not a TAA member.
Wholesale sale of TAA ESP is strictly prohibited without the express consent of the TAA ESP Committee.
TAA Retail membership is non-transferable.
Must fully comply with the TAA antitrust policy, as well as all federal and state antitrust laws.

TAA Retailer Membership Interest Form