News

Convenience Distribution Marketplace Virtual is fast approaching (Feb. 15-17, 2021). The registration deadline for distributors is Jan. 29, 2021.

Distributor companies can register as many company personnel as they would like for one low fee – more details available in the attendee brochure. Click the video to find out more about this year’s Marketplace.

If you are a supplier who has not yet registered, contact Angie Simonetti today (angies@cdaweb.net). The deadline for supplier partners to reserve their package was Jan. 8, so reach out now to secure your spot and proceed with next steps. Supplier participation in Marketplace is required to be considered for invitation to CDBX in September.

Marketplace Virtual will provide compelling and relevant speakers and education sessions, while connecting the industry’s top trading partners and providers. As a special treat, distributor companies will enjoy lunch from the Marketplace Virtual sponsors and be eligible to win prizes, including this year’s grand prize.

Please contact info@cdaweb.net with any questions.

This week in Washington, Joe Biden was sworn in as the 46th President of the United States at noon on Jan. 20. Upon taking office, President Biden signed 17 executive actions. Many of the actions will immediately reverse key Trump administration policies to address what Biden has identified as four crises: COVID-19, the economic crisis, racial injustice and climate change. See here for a list of agency actions and a fact sheet on Biden’s day-one executive orders.

Last week, President Biden released the $1.9 trillion COVID-19 economic relief plan. The framework is “the first step of an aggressive, two-step plan for rescue, from the depths of this crisis, and recovery, by investing in America, creating millions of additional good-paying jobs, combatting the climate crisis, advancing racial equity, and building back better than before.” So far, it’s just an overview, but we are likely to see legislative language very soon. Provisions of interest to CDA members are related to FMLA, extended unemployment, increasing the minimum wage and back pay/hazard pay for essential workers.

There is no better time than right now for distributors to learn how the latest technology trends will combine to transform the landscape of wholesale distribution. CDA members are invited to participate at no cost in this series, called How Technology Will Transform Wholesale Distribution, presented through the National Association of Wholesaler-Distributors (NAW).

The final live webinar in the series, Managing Strategic Change During Disruption: Get Leaner, Smarter, Faster and Stronger, takes place today, Jan. 21. Register now

The following webinars and corresponding reports are now available:

• Value-Added Services as a Survival Strategy: Real Value Isn't Free: webinar; report
• New Technology Frontiers for Distributors: Sizing Up Marketplaces and Becoming Digital Companies: webinar; report
• The Coming Storm of Converging Technologies: webinar; report
• Distributors’ Views on Technology Disruption and How to Respond: webinar; report
• How Distributor Customers Will Use Technologies From Their Suppliers and Who Is Winning: webinar; report
• Distributor Suppliers Speak Out on Disruption, New Channels and Who Will Win: webinar; report

Details on all seven webinars in this series can be found on the series page.

There is no crystal ball, but forecasting is the next best thing you can do to predict your company’s economic future! This monthly interview-style presentation webinar series, geared to those in distribution, is designed to help your company plan during these extraordinary times. During this six-month series, economist and forecasting expert Alex Chausovsky of ITR Economics and Ian Heller of Modern Distribution Management cover industry trends, business-to-business activity, trade, inflation, interest rates and more. Using leading indicators, CDA distributor members will learn how to identify where they are in the business cycle and which inputs should guide their strategy to make the right decisions at the right time. The next webinar takes place Feb. 17 at 3:00 PM ET.

Webinar Series Details | January | December | November | October

You can contribute to this series! Do you have a question you would like to ask? Email Kimberly Kissel anytime throughout this series to add to this ongoing conversation.

There is no crystal ball, but forecasting is the next best thing you can do to predict your company’s economic future! This monthly interview-style presentation webinar series, geared to those in distribution, is designed to help your company plan during these extraordinary times. During this six-month series, economist and forecasting expert Alex Chausovsky of ITR Economics and Ian Heller of Modern Distribution Management cover industry trends, business-to-business activity, trade, inflation, interest rates and more. Using leading indicators, CDA distributor members will learn how to identify where they are in the business cycle and which inputs should guide their strategy to make the right decisions at the right time. The next webinar takes place Jan. 20 at 3:00 PM ET.

Webinar Series Details | January | December | November | October

You can contribute to this series! Do you have a question you would like to ask? Email Kimberly Kissel anytime throughout this series to add to this ongoing conversation.

Convenience Distribution Marketplace Virtual is fast approaching (Feb. 15-17, 2021) and registration is open! Click the video to find out more about this year’s Marketplace.

Distributor companies can register as many company personnel as they would like for one low fee – more details in the attendee brochure. The registration deadline for distributors is January 29, 2021.

If you are a supplier who has not yet registered, contact Angie Simonetti today (angies@cdaweb.net). The deadline for supplier partners to reserve their package was last Friday, so reach out now to secure your spot and proceed with next steps. Supplier participation in Marketplace is required to be considered for invitation to CDBX in September.

Marketplace Virtual will provide compelling and relevant speakers and education sessions, while connecting the industry’s top trading partners and providers. As a special treat, distributor companies will enjoy lunch from the Marketplace Virtual sponsors and be eligible to win prizes, including this year’s grand prize.

Please contact info@cdaweb.net with any questions.

The House voted yesterday to impeach President Trump for the second time. The final vote was 232 to 197, with 10 Republicans joining all 222 Democrats. The impeachment resolution includes a single article accusing Trump of high crimes and misdemeanors for “Incitement of Insurrection,” and says he “willfully made statements that, in context, encouraged - and foreseeably resulted in - lawless action at the Capitol.” The impeachment article now goes to the Senate. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) has rejected calls from Democratic leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) to convene an emergency session of the Senate, so the soonest any trial could begin is Jan. 20, which risks delaying confirmation of Biden’s cabinet nominees and his early legislative initiatives. See more here.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers at the Dallas Fort Worth International Airport working in conjunction with agents from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced that they seized 33,681 units of e-cigarettes. The flavored pods resembling Puff Bar products and had a manufacturer’s suggested retail price of $719,453.

Today the Small Business Administration issued guidance on the rollout of additional PPP finding included in the year end (2020) Covid Relief Bill. See here for the rule.

Registration for Convenience Distribution Marketplace Virtual 2021 is now open! Marketplace Virtual will be held on the originally scheduled in-person dates, February 15-17, 2021. Distributor companies can register as many company personnel as they would like for one low fee – more details in the attendee brochure. Suppliers can also book their package for Marketplace Virtual, choosing from one of four options outlined in the supplier prospectus. The deadline for suppliers is January 8, 2021 and participation in Marketplace is required to be considered for invitation to CDBX in September. The registration deadline for distributors is January 29, 2021.

Marketplace Virtual will provide compelling and relevant speakers and education sessions, while connecting the industry’s top trading partners and providers. As a special treat, distributor companies will enjoy lunch from the Marketplace Virtual sponsors and be eligible to win prizes, including this year’s grand prize.

Please contact info@cdaweb.net with any questions.

The House and Senate met yesterday in a joint session today to count the Electoral College votes to confirm President-elect Joe Biden’s victory, and as expected, a group of 12 Republican lawmakers were beginning to object to the counting of several states’ electors. After a morning rally near the White House, protesters marched to the Capitol. They breached Capitol security and roamed throughout the Capitol for hours, entering both the House and Senate Chambers, the Capitol Rotunda and member offices. Members of Congress and staff were forced to shelter in place, often barricading themselves in offices for hours until the National Guard and state police from Virginia and Maryland were called in. Congress reconvened at around 8 PM and continued the certification of the Presidential election. Efforts to challenge Arizona’s vote failed, and Vice President Mike Pence announced just after 3:40 AM Thursday that President-elect Joe Biden had won the presidency.

Both Democratic candidates have prevailed against incumbent Republican senators in the Georgia runoff elections, putting the Senate party split at 50/50. Vice President Elect Kamala Harris will have the tie breaking vote. As was the case in 2001, when the Senate was also split 50/50, Committees will be organized with an even number of Republicans and Democrats, with the Chair coming from the “majority” party (Democrat). If a committee vote is deadlocked over a bill, the bill can proceed to the Senate for a vote of the full committee.

Democrat Raphael Warnock declared victory yesterday morning over Sen. Kelly Loeffler (R-GA), making the 51-year-old Baptist minister the first African American senator in Georgia history. He leads by 54,000 votes (a 1.2 percent margin). Democrat Jon Ossoff had 50.3% of the vote to Perdue’s 49.7% when The Associated Press called the race on late afternoon Wednesday. In Georgia, state law states that a candidate may request a recount after certification if the margin is 0.5% or less and the deadline for a candidate to request a recount is two business days following the certification of results. For more on the election results, see here.

See the attached combined House and Senate Congressional calendar for 2021.

President-elect Joe Biden reportedly will name Federal Appeals Court Judge Merrick Garland as Attorney General. A handful of cabinet nominations have yet to be made – including Secretary of Labor and Commerce. Dr. Stephen Hahn might continue as FDA commissioner into the Biden Administration for continuity’s sake. For a current list of Biden’s nominees, see here.

Members can log in to the CDA website to gain access to the report. Download the report now.

This powerful cross-industry study of compensation and benefits programs compares wholesale distribution companies from across the country. The primary purpose of the report is to help CDA members determine how their company’s compensation program compares with those of other companies in distribution.

This report can be used to answer key questions such as:

• How are companies attracting and retaining employees?
• Is your turnover rate comparable to what others are experiencing?
• How long does it take to fill an open position?
• Are you leading, matching, or falling below the market in terms of your compensation offerings?

For questions on the study or how to access the report, contact Kimberly Kissel, CAE, at kkissel@cdaweb.net or (703) 208-1640. You can learn more about the Compensation Report on CDA's website.

There is no crystal ball, but forecasting is the next best thing you can do to predict your company’s economic future! This monthly interview-style presentation webinar series, geared to those in distribution, is designed to help your company plan during these extraordinary times. During this six-month series, economist and forecasting expert Alex Chausovsky of ITR Economics and Ian Heller of Modern Distribution Management cover industry trends, business-to-business activity, trade, inflation, interest rates and more. Using leading indicators, CDA distributor members will learn how to identify where they are in the business cycle and which inputs should guide their strategy to make the right decisions at the right time. The next webinar takes place Jan. 20 at 3:00 PM ET.

Webinar Series Details | January | December | November | October

You can contribute to this series! Do you have a question you would like to ask? Email Kimberly Kissel anytime throughout this series to add to this ongoing conversation.

Registration for Convenience Distribution Marketplace Virtual 2021 is now open! Marketplace Virtual will be held on the originally scheduled in-person dates, February 15-17, 2021. Distributor companies can register as many company personnel as they would like for one low fee – more details in the attendee brochure. Suppliers can also book their package for Marketplace Virtual, choosing from one of four options outlined in the supplier prospectus. The deadline for suppliers is January 8, 2021 and participation in Marketplace is required to be considered for invitation to CDBX in September. The registration deadline for distributors is January 29, 2021.

Marketplace Virtual will provide compelling and relevant speakers and education sessions, while connecting the industry’s top trading partners and providers. As a special treat, distributor companies will enjoy lunch from the Marketplace Virtual sponsors and be eligible to win prizes, including this year’s grand prize.

Please contact info@cdaweb.net with any questions.

After threatening a veto of the combination Omnibus Spending Bill/COVID-19 relief bill over the size of stimulus checks, the president did indeed sign the $900 billion spending bill on Sunday evening, setting in motion extensions of unemployment insurance, $600 stimulus checks for many Americans, money for COVID-19 vaccines and funds to keep the government operating. The president issued a statement at the bill’s signing outlining what he found lacking in the bill and some provisions he would like to see struck from the law. Congress is not required to act on these suggestions. On Monday, the House passed a bill to give Americans another $2,000 in stimulus funds, but the Senate has not taken up the bill. The new 117th Congress will be sworn in next Monday, Jan. 4, just a day ahead of the dual Georgia runoff elections.

The city of Roseville has also posted draft language for a tobacco regulation ordinance. As directed by the council in October, the language contains a full flavor ban that includes prohibiting the sale of menthol cigarettes, mint and wintergreen smokeless tobacco products, flavored cigars, flavored pipe tobacco and flavored electronic cigarettes. A notice has been sent to licensed retailers in Roseville that includes an invitation to an informational meeting and details for a city council work session on this issue. You are strongly encouraged to attend these meetings and provide the council members with your concerns.

Click here for more information

There is no better time than right now for distributors to learn how the latest technology trends will combine to transform the landscape of wholesale distribution. CDA members are invited to participate at no cost in this series, called How Technology Will Transform Wholesale Distribution, presented through the National Association of Wholesaler-Distributors (NAW).

The final live webinar in the series, Managing Strategic Change During Disruption: Get Leaner, Smarter, Faster and Stronger, takes place Jan. 21. Register now

The following webinars and corresponding reports are now available:

• Value-Added Services as a Survival Strategy: Real Value Isn't Free: webinar; report
• New Technology Frontiers for Distributors: Sizing Up Marketplaces and Becoming Digital Companies: webinar; report
• The Coming Storm of Converging Technologies: webinar; report
• Distributors’ Views on Technology Disruption and How to Respond: webinar; report
• How Distributor Customers Will Use Technologies From Their Suppliers and Who Is Winning: webinar; report
• Distributor Suppliers Speak Out on Disruption, New Channels and Who Will Win: webinar; report

Details on all seven webinars in this series can be found on the series page.

There is no crystal ball, but forecasting is the next best thing you can do to predict your company’s economic future! This monthly interview-style presentation webinar series, geared to those in distribution, is designed to help your company plan during these extraordinary times. During this six-month series, economist and forecasting expert Alex Chausovsky of ITR Economics and Ian Heller of Modern Distribution Management cover industry trends, business-to-business activity, trade, inflation, interest rates and more. Using leading indicators, CDA distributor members will learn how to identify where they are in the business cycle and which inputs should guide their strategy to make the right decisions at the right time. The next webinar takes place Jan. 20 at 3:00 PM ET.

Webinar Series Details | January | December | November | October

You can contribute to this series! Do you have a question you would like to ask? Email Kimberly Kissel anytime throughout this series to add to this ongoing conversation.

There is no better time than right now for distributors to learn how the latest technology trends will combine to transform the landscape of wholesale distribution. CDA members are invited to participate at no cost in this series, called How Technology Will Transform Wholesale Distribution, presented through the National Association of Wholesaler-Distributors (NAW).

The final live webinar in the series, Managing Strategic Change During Disruption: Get Leaner, Smarter, Faster and Stronger, takes place Jan. 21. Register now

The following webinars and corresponding reports are now available:

• Value-Added Services as a Survival Strategy: Real Value Isn't Free: webinar; report
• New Technology Frontiers for Distributors: Sizing Up Marketplaces and Becoming Digital Companies: webinar; report
• The Coming Storm of Converging Technologies: webinar; report
• Distributors’ Views on Technology Disruption and How to Respond: webinar; report
• How Distributor Customers Will Use Technologies From Their Suppliers and Who Is Winning: webinar; report
• Distributor Suppliers Speak Out on Disruption, New Channels and Who Will Win: webinar; report

Details on all seven webinars in this series can be found on the series page.

Registration for Convenience Distribution Marketplace Virtual 2021 is now open! Marketplace Virtual will be held on the originally scheduled in-person dates, February 15-17, 2021. Distributor companies can register as many company personnel as they would like for one low fee – more details in the attendee brochure. Suppliers can also book their package for Marketplace Virtual, choosing from one of four options outlined in the supplier prospectus. As a reminder, the deadline for suppliers is January 8, 2021 and participation in Marketplace is required to be considered for invitation to CDBX in September.

Marketplace Virtual will provide compelling and relevant speakers and education sessions, while connecting the industry’s top trading partners and providers. As a special treat, distributor companies will enjoy lunch from the Marketplace Virtual sponsors and be eligible to win prizes, including this year’s grand prize.

Please contact info@cdaweb.net with any questions.

On Sunday, a panel from the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC) issued their recommendations for which Americans should be next in line for one of the two approved COVID-19 vaccines. The Washington Post is reporting that the groups designated Sunday by the CDC’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) include essential workers, such as grocery employees, in what they term "Phase 1b." The recommendation from the CDC said, “Based on local epidemiology and implementation considerations, jurisdictions may choose to vaccinate frontline essential workers and persons who reside at congregate living facilities (e.g., prisons, jails, homeless shelters) at the same time.” And within the category of essential workers, there may be further sub-prioritization among: workers in locations where high rates of transmission and/or outbreaks have occurred; workers who are at increased risk for severe illness based on age or underlying medical conditions; and workers who do not have a history of documented acute SARS-CoV-2 infection in prior 90 days.

It is important to remember that this is guidance for states and localities, who have authority to make decisions locally. We urge you to closely monitor announcements from you state and local health departments.

Congress worked through the weekend to finalize the passage of the massive Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2021 last night before adjourning for the holiday. Congress is set to return after Christmas to deal with the expected Presidential veto of the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). In addition to the 12 appropriations bills and COVID-19 relief provisions, the measure also includes several authorizations, including tax and health extenders, an energy package, surprise billing and a water resources bill.

The $1.4 trillion omnibus bill and $900 billion stimulus bill passed the House and Senate yesterday evening and now will go to the President’s desk, who is expected to sign it when it arrives at the White House this week. The House and Senate also cleared a seven-day stopgap funding bill to avert a partial government shutdown while the broader legislation is prepared for the president. Key links to the bill are below:

• Bill text
• Summary of the appropriations division
• Summary of the COVID-19 spending provisions
• Summary of the authorizing provisions

The COVID relief package clarifies that business owners can deduct expenses paid for with PPP loans, which can be forgiven by the government without incurring a tax. The deduction benefit could generate more than $100 billion in tax savings for business owners, according to Brookings Institution estimates. The COVID package also includes $284 billion in additional funding for PPP loans and allows some businesses to apply for a second round of funding if they can show losses during the pandemic. Deductions are allowed on second-round loans as well. Further, the bill extends enhanced unemployment for 11 weeks at $300 per week. The bill also provides $150 billion for direct relief payments to taxpayers making less than $75,000 ($600 per person) and $13 billion in increased SNAP and child nutrition benefits.

The bill also contained the provisions of Rep. Rosa DeLauro’s Preventing Online Sales of E-cigarettes Act, a bill that CDA supported.