Above, attendees pose in front of the Capitol building at the Altria offices in D.C. after breakfast and a presentation by Andrew Freedman from the Coalition for Cannabis Policy, Education and Regulation (CPEAR), hosted by Altria.
CDA distributor members from across the country traveled to Washington, D.C. last week (May 9-10) for CDA’s annual Day on the Hill event, the first in-person Day on the Hill event since 2019. Members attended meetings with legislators and staff during a busy two days. “Day on the Hill provides our members with the opportunity to speak directly to their elected officials in Washington on critical issues facing our industry," explained Kimberly Bolin, CDA president and CEO. "Building relationships with our congressmen, senators and staffers in D.C. is crucial for our industry and our members’ businesses. Day on the Hill creates an opportunity for distributor members to do that, even if they’ve never engaged in this way before.” Watch the
video
to the right for a recap of the event.
CDA prepared attendees for meetings with a session on how to lobby, presented by Kathee Facchiano, vice president at Van Scoyoc Associates, and Mary Ellen Richardson, Chief of Staff, Congressman Darin LaHood (R-IL). Facchiano and Richardson shared tips for effective advocacy and the importance legislators place on in-person visits from their constituents. Following the session on how to lobby, attendees heard from Doug Anderson, president of the We Card Program, Inc. on social sourcing and how distributors can help their retailers. Then, attendees reviewed the issue briefs provided by CDA with Shannon Campagna, CDA’s policy advisor.
Above, Day on the Hill attendees prepare for their meeting with the session on how to lobby.
“CDA does not only a great job organizing the event, but they also do a great job preparing you for successful meetings. They coach you and provide you with all the important detailed information and legislative issues; giving you all the tools you need for successful meetings,” said Kathy Gunlock, Core-Mark Midcontinent and CDA Government Affairs Committee Co-Chair.
At this year’s Day on the Hill, attendees sought support for two bills. The SHIP It Act would increase safety and shipping capacity for truckers; provide recruitment and retention incentives for drivers; and include flexibility during times of emergencies or black swan events. The Death Tax Repeal Act of 2023 would permanently repeal the estate tax, eliminating the see-saw of policies that have created uncertainty from year-to-year. Permanent repeal of the estate tax will ensure the vitality of America’s small businesses – the backbone of our nation’s economy.
To the right, Rep. James Comer (R-KY) hears the issues brought to Capitol Hill by Day on the Hill attendees.
CDA Chair Corey Cooper, Stephenson Wholesale Co., Inc., shared, “We are very well prepared, we have all the talking points, we understand what to ask for, what to leave behind and it has been very effective.”
Cooper continued, “You only get to vote once every other year for people that come to Washington, but you have issues that come up every day. Coming here allows you to build a relationship with them so you can reach out to their office and ask for their assistance at any given time.”
Above (l-r), Kimberly Bolin, CDA; CDA Chair Corey Cooper, Stephenson Wholesale Co., Inc.; Sen. Markwayne Mullin (R-OK); and Ross Haynes, Mydad, LLC bda Hardec's, Inc. pose after a meeting.
Additionally, members requested support with unclear tobacco regulatory programs, including supporting the Congressional oversight investigation to bring transparency to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Center for Tobacco Products' (CTP) unclear policies that have resulted in market uncertainty, unregulated products and enforcement failures. The FDA failed to meet the court-mandated timeline for the PMTA process and is still completing the process of reviewing PMTAs for both tobacco-derived nicotine and synthetic nicotine products. Additionally, an illicit marketplace of unauthorized, untaxed, unregulated and unsafe products has proliferated and is not being addressed.
To the right, Paula Glidewell, Glidewell Distributing Company, Inc., explains industry issues to Rep. Steve Womack (R-AR).
“They don’t know your interests unless you tell them about it. They don’t know how bills or regulations affect your business until you tell them. They don’t know what your problems are. So, if you are in business, this is part of your business,” said Paula Glidewell, Glidewell Distributing Company, Inc.
Day on the Hill is generously sponsored by Altria Group Distribution Co. and Reynolds. On Tuesday evening, attendees enjoyed dinner sponsored by Reynolds at the Capitol Hill Club. Attendees were welcomed by Matt Domingo, Reynolds’ senior director of external relations, and enjoyed hearing from CNN on-air contributor Scott Jennings. Jennings' comments ranged from the 2024 Presidential election, key Senate races, and what we can expect to see reflected in down-ballot races next year to potential candidates in the Republican primary and which issues voters will be reflecting on as they cast their ballots.
Above, Scott Jennings, CNN on-air contributor, speaks to Day on the Hill attendees.
Altria hosted breakfast for attendees at its offices overlooking the Capitol prior to Hill meetings on Wednesday morning. The group was welcomed by Danielle Holloway, Altria’s senior director, industry engagement. During breakfast, Andrew Freedman, executive director of the Coalition for Cannabis Policy, Education and Regulation (CPEAR), led a discussion with members on the current Cannabis regulatory environment and what to expect in 2023 and beyond.
Ross Haynes, Mydad, LLC dba Hardec's, Inc., shared, “This is a chance to be our voice, and I wish more people would get involved. The people that we meet with don’t take it lightly that we are here.”
"The issues we raised with federal elected officials were critical for CDA members' businesses," said Bolin. "We advocate every day for CDA members and will continue to weigh in with Members of Congress and the federal agencies that regulate our businesses."
To the right, Andrew Freedman, CPEAR, speaks to attendees during breakfast.
CDA would like to thank all Day on the Hill attendees, with special thanks to both Altria Group Distribution Co. and Reynolds for supporting this important event.
A Special Thanks from CDA to All that Attended Day on the Hill
Above, attendees gather before dinner at the Capitol Hill Club, featuring a conversation with CNN on-air contributor Scott Jennings, hosted by Reynolds.
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Atlantic Dominion Distributors
Kevin Barney
Chambers & Owen
Chad Owen
Core-Mark International, Inc.
Bill Stein
Core-Mark Midcontinent
Kathy Gunlock
Glidewell Distributing Company
Paula Glidewell
Grocery Supply Company
John Prickette
Mydad, LLC dba Hardec's, Inc.
Ross Haynes
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Lyons Specialty Co., LLC
Jodi Buckner
McLane Company, Inc.
Monica Maciag
N Ali Enterprises Inc.
Rahman Lakhani
National Convenience Distributors (NCD)
Kyle Feldman
Stephenson Wholesale Co. Inc.
CDA Chair Corey Cooper
Texas Wholesale
Farooq Wazirali
Zuma and Sons Distributors Corp
Carlos Zumarraga
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