News

Above, attendees pose at the Altria offices in D.C. after dinner, hosted by Altria Group Distribution Company.

CDA distributor members flew in (and a few drove) from around the country to Washington, D.C., May 13-14 for the 2025 Day on the Hill advocacy program – the association’s annual opportunity for members to engage directly with legislators on issues vital to the convenience distribution industry. Attendees participated in policy briefings, heard from seasoned policymakers, toured the White House, and had an abundance of opportunities to network with peers at the generously sponsored meals – no one went home hungry.

View the video to the right for a wrap-up of the event.

“Day on the Hill is a cornerstone of CDA’s advocacy efforts, giving our members a direct line to lawmakers on laws and regulations that shape our businesses and communities,” said Kimberly Bolin, CDA president and CEO.

Several new features enhanced this year’s program including a tour of the White House, a welcome luncheon to kick off the program, and a working lunch the following day between Hill meetings.

Attendees covered issues including the repeal of the Death Tax, FDA’s tobacco regulatory responsibilities and the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) Section 204(d) requirements.

Above, attendees recharge and enjoy lunch between Wednesday's meetings at Capitol Hill's historic The Monocle restaurant, provided by ITG Brands, LLC.

CDA Chair Jodi Buckner, Lyons Specialty Co., LLC, emphasized the importance of member engagement. “Our industry faces complex challenges, and the best way to address them is by coming together and working collaboratively with lawmakers to shape effective policy,” Buckner noted.

The success of this advocacy program was made possible by the generous support of sponsors Altria Group Distribution Company, ITG Brands, LLC, Phillip Morris International and Reynolds.

To the right, attendees enjoy Tuesday's kick-off lunch, provided by Philip Morris International.

“We are grateful for the support of our sponsors, whose commitment allowed us to amplify our industry’s voice in Washington,” Bolin added. “Together, we continue to build relationships and shape policies that benefit our members and the customers they serve.”

Don’t miss the next issue of Convenience Distribution magazine, featuring an in-depth look at CDA’s advocacy. In the meantime, click here to view more photos from Day on the Hill.

Attendees gather for a group photo as they begin their tour of the White House.	Posing in front of the Presidential Seal at the White House are (l-r) Barry Margolis, Cooper-Booth Wholesale Co.; Chad Owen, Chambers & Owen, Inc.; Kevin Barney, Atlantic Dominion Distributors; and Lupe Zumarraga and Carlos Zumarraga, Zuma & Sons Distributors Corp.
Sen. John Boozman (R-AR) meets with Paula Glidewell (left), Glidewell Distributing Company, Inc., and Kimberly Bolin, CDA president and CEO.	Rep. James Comer (R-KY) (center) meets with (l-r) Matthew Murray, Renfro Supply Company; Ross Haynes, Hardec's, Inc.; Brad Stephens, Renfro Supply Company; and Kimberly Bolin, CDA president and CEO.
CDA Chair Jodi Buckner (far-right), Lyons Specialty Co., LLC, and Kimberly Bolin, CDA president and CEO, meet with Rep. Cleo Fields (D-LA) (far-left).	Rep. Ben Cline meets with (l-r) Melissa Manuel, Christina Laycock and Carolyn Corbin, Merchants Grocery Company, Inc.; and Angie Simonetti, CDA executive vice president.

Above, attendees gather after breakfast at the Capitol Hill Club, hosted by Reynolds.

A Special Thanks From CDA to All That Attended Day on the Hill

On May 15, 2025, Senate Finance Committee members voted to advance two top officials nominated by President Donald Trump for the Health and Human Services Department. James O’Neill, who senators advanced in a 14-13 vote, would serve as number two at the department currently headed by Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. Gary Andres, who advanced in a 19-8 vote, would serve as assistant secretary.

The House Rules Committee advanced the Republican budget reconciliation bill late on May 21, 2025, sending the legislation to the floor for consideration after a meeting that stretched nearly 22 hours. The panel voted 8-4 to advance the “One Big Beautiful Bill (OBBB) Act” — including a series of last-minute changes to the sprawling measure designed to appease blue-state moderates and hardline conservatives who withheld support from the legislation.

The full House then voted 215-214 early on May 22, 2025, to pass the OBBB Act. Reps. Thomas Massie (R-KY) and Warren Davidson (R-OH) joined Democrats in opposing the bill; and Rep. Andy Harris (R-MD) voted present. Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) agreed to an increased state-and-local tax (SALT) deduction, an accelerated start to new Medicaid work requirements and a faster phase-out of clean-energy tax credits to garner the necessary support in the House.

The bill now goes to the Senate side where changes are expected to be made. Republican leaders have said they want to enact the package by July 4, 2025. Read more here.

Arlington, TX
February 16-18, 2026

Exhibitors: register online today!

Register now to increase your opportunity of being assigned a preferred booth location through the CDA priority point system. The CDA priority point system expires July 31. Exhibit space is assigned on a first-come first-served basis after July 31.

At Marketplace, the focus is to bring together distributors with their top trading partners and suppliers over a three-day period, featuring a one-day turnkey trade show, focused education sessions, a distributor showcase and enhanced networking opportunities.

Attendee registration opens in September.

By attending Marketplace 2026, you agree to the CDA Notices & Disclaimers.

About Marketplace | Exhibitor Prospectus | Trade Show

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has announced the seizure of nearly two million units of unauthorized e-cigarette products in Chicago, with an estimated retail value of $33.8 million. The seizures, which occurred in February of this year in collaboration with U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), were part of a joint federal operation to examine incoming shipments and prevent illegal e-cigarettes from entering the country.

During this operation, the team uncovered shipments of various illegal e-cigarette products, almost all of which originated in China and were intended for shipment to various U.S. states. FDA and CBP personnel determined that, in an apparent attempt to evade duties and the review of products for import safety concerns, many of these unauthorized e-cigarette shipments contained vague product descriptions with incorrect values. Upon examining shipments, the team found several brands of unauthorized e-cigarettes, including Snoopy Smoke, Raz and others.

“The FDA, working with our federal partners, can and will do more to stop the illegal importation and distribution of e-cigarette products in the United States,” said FDA Commissioner Marty Makary, M.D., M.P.H. “Seizures of illegal e-cigarettes keep products that haven’t been authorized by the FDA out of the United States and out of the hands of our nation’s youth.”

Read more here.

On June 4, 2025, the Partnership for Food Traceability (PFT) will hold a webinar entitled PFT Update: FSMA 204 Industry Interoperability Decisions and Operational Pilots. This is a complimentary webinar open to anyone in the industry interested in learning more about section 204 of the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA). The Partnership for Food Traceability (PFT) is an independent, sector-neutral nonprofit developing a shared, overarching vision for food traceability across the supply chain. PFT’s membership includes industry members, trade associations, and technology vendors from all sectors and industries of the food supply chain with support from FDA, State, and local food officials. PFT has been working to align consensus business and functional requirements for FSMA 204 compliance and interoperability, and to develop simulations and pilots based on those decisions. The following will be discussed:

• Decisions made that will become part of the Blueprint for Interoperability,
• Outcomes and learnings from PFT’s Pilots Committee, including from recent supply chain simulations, and
• PFT’s work timeline under the new FSMA 204 compliance date.

FDA Advances Post-Market Chemical Review Program

On May 15, 2025, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced it is conducting a systematic review process for food chemicals already on the market. Under the leadership of Secretary Kennedy and FDA Commissioner Martin A. Makary, M.D., M.P.H., the FDA will roll out several key actions over the coming months:

• A modernized, evidence-based prioritization scheme for reviewing existing chemicals. A draft will be released for public comment soon.
• A final, systematic post-market review process shaped by stakeholder input.
• An updated list of chemicals under review, including BHT, BHA, and ADA. The FDA will also take steps to expedite its review of chemicals currently under review like phthalates, propylparaben, and titanium dioxide. FDA will continue to share information about the status of this work on its public website as part the agency’s push for greater transparency.

According to Bloomberg, U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Commissioner Marty Makary has selected agency veterans to lead the offices for tobacco regulation and inspections. Bret Koplow will serve as acting director of the Center for Tobacco Products (CTP) and Elizabeth Miller will serve as the acting associate commissioner for the Office of Inspections and Investigations.

FDA is facing pressure to crack down on illicit e-cigarettes and working to change how it approaches foreign inspections. Miller has worked at the FDA overseeing inspections of medical products and in the agency’s tobacco division since 2020. She did a prior stint at the agency from 2007 to 2016, according to her LinkedIn profile. Koplow has worked for the agency in various roles since 2011. Michael Rogers, the former leader of the Office of Inspections and Investigations, resigned earlier this month after serving at the FDA for 34 years. The former CTP Director Brian King was forced out during agency-wide layoffs in April.

Convenience Store News has announced its 2025 class of Top Women in Convenience, where it will bring the convenience store industry together this fall to celebrate 100 established and emerging female leaders at the 12th annual Top Women in Convenience (TWIC) Awards Gala. CDA congratulates all the honorees, with special congratulations to the several CDA members honored, which include:

Women of the Year:

• Tanisha Sanders, ITG Brands, LLC

Senior-Level Leaders:

• Terri Albright, Premier Manufacturing, Inc.
• Hebe Alexander, McLane Company, Inc.
• Heather Allan, Core-Mark International, Inc.
• Halle Barish, Mars Wrigley
• Jodi Buckner, Lyons Specialty Co., LLC
• Christy Canary-Garner, Reynolds
• Todd Compton, Premier Manufacturing, Inc.
• Melanie Gebrekiristos, ITG Brands, LLC
• Aleksandra (Ola) Kozielska, Juul Labs
• Brielle Lawson, Director, ITG Brands, LLC
• Stacy McNutt, PepsiCo
• Kelli Patterson, Mars Wrigley
• Beth Strickland, PDI Technologies
• Judy Truchan, Team Sledd
• Christine Turner, PepsiCo
• Heather Webb, Patron Points Inc.
• Kristin Willis, Core-Mark International, Inc.

The Top Women in Convenience Awards Gala will take place Wednesday, Oct. 15, at the 2025 NACS Show in Chicago. For more details and for the full list of honorees, read the Convenience Store News story.

Perenso is a B2B sales enablement platform that helps manufacturers, distributors and wholesalers streamline and enhance their sales operations. By unifying in-person, online and mobile commerce channels, Perenso enables businesses to sell more efficiently—anytime, anywhere. Its comprehensive platform improves rep productivity, strengthens buyer engagement and supports seamless order capture across every sales channel.

Contact information for Perenso is as follows:

Caitlin Root, Sales Operations Manager
Caitlin.Root@Perenso.com
Perenso
P.O. Box 461058
Aurora, CO 80046
(720) 737-3734
https://www.perenso.com/

Thayer Distribution is a redistributor, highly focused on reselling exclusively to wholesalers and distributors that serve retailers. The company currently operates two climate-controlled facilities in the Philadelphia area, delivering on its climate-controlled fleet to twenty-two surrounding states, throughout the northeast, as far south as GA, west to TN and IL, and all points between, employing common carriers outside of that range. The company also provides third-party logistics services to many of its suppliers.

Contact information for Thayer Distribution is as follows:

John Ochi, Chief Commercial Officer
jochi@thayerdist.com
Thayer Distribution
500 Springbrooke Blvd.
Aston, PA 19014
(800) 999-4271
thayerdistribution.com

On May 12, 2025, the U.S. and China jointly announced they will temporarily lower tariffs on each other’s products. The combined 145% U.S. levies on most Chinese imports were reduced to 30%, including the rate tied to fentanyl, on May 14, 2025, while the 125% Chinese duties on U.S. goods were dropped to 10%. “We had a very robust and productive discussion on steps forward on fentanyl,” Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said. “We are in agreement that neither side wants to decouple.”

The announcement represents a step toward de-escalating a tariff conflict that has led to a slump in trade across the Pacific Ocean. The two countries had earlier reported “substantial progress” in their talks, which lifted markets and helped Chinese stocks recoup their losses since President Donald Trump’s “Liberation Day” announcement of tariffs on April 2, 2025. Read more here.

In his first appearance on Capitol Hill since his confirmation, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. testified on May 14, 2025, in front of the House Appropriations and Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) Committees. Democrats and Republicans in both chambers questioned RFK, Jr. about vaccine messaging, agency layoffs and other HHS priorities. Read more here.

On May 7, 2025, President Trump withdrew the nomination of Dr. Janette Nesheiwat to be the next Surgeon General just days before her scheduled Senate confirmation hearing. The Surgeon General is simultaneously head of the U.S. Public Health Service and a figurehead for communicating the federal government’s health priorities. Nesheiwat came under fire from Trump influencers like Laura Loomer who criticized her for having previously supported COVID-19 vaccines, as well as some inconsistencies in her credentials.

In her place, Trump tapped Dr. Casey Means. Means is a holistic medicine advocate who has risen to prominence in the “Make America Healthy Again” movement headed by Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Robert Kennedy, Jr. She has long been critical of the current health industry, claiming it has a financial incentive to keep people sick. She believes diet, exercise and other lifestyle choices are the primary means to one’s health.

Since her nomination, many traditional health experts have criticized Means for having not completed her medical residency and not being a practicing physician. Meanwhile, Loomer, who was instrumental in Nesheiwat’s withdrawn nomination, is also unhappy with Means, claiming she “talks to trees.” The major outcry leads one to wonder if Means will get confirmed or not.

Arlington, TX
February 16-18, 2026

Register online today!

Register now to increase your opportunity of being assigned a preferred booth location through the CDA priority point system. The CDA priority point system expires July 31. Exhibit space is assigned on a first-come first-served basis after July 31.

At Marketplace, the focus is to bring together distributors with their top trading partners and suppliers over a three-day period, featuring a one-day turnkey trade show, focused education sessions, a distributor showcase and enhanced networking opportunities.

Attendee registration opens in September.

By attending Marketplace 2026, you agree to the CDA Notices & Disclaimers.

About Marketplace | Exhibitor Prospectus | Trade Show

On May 12, 2025, CDA sent a letter to President Donald Trump to raise his awareness about important issues involving electronic vapor products. The letter expresses the urgent need for the U.S. Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) Center for Tobacco Products (CTP) to expeditiously finalize the review process of up to 369,000 pending Pre-Market Tobacco Applications (PMTAs) so that adults have additional authorized product alternatives. CDA’s letter also focused on the need for the Federal Multi-Agency Task Force that was created in June 2024 to use all of its enforcement powers to address the illicit vape market.

Over the last several weeks, the House has introduced and passed out of committee 11 components of their massive budget reconciliation bill that cuts taxes, cuts various mandatory spending and invests in border security and national defense. Here are links to the committees that have passed their reconciliation proposals:

• Armed Services Committee approved their title 35-21. This title appropriates roughly $100 billion into weapons systems, shipbuilding, and military readiness activities.
• Education and Workforce Committee approved their title 21-14. This title largely reforms the federal student aid system by restricting eligibility and placing more financial risk on institutions of higher education.
• Financial Services Committee approved their title 30-22. This title rescinds “green” programs under the Department of Housing and Urban Development.
• Homeland Security Committee approved their title 18-14. This title appropriates roughly $90 billion for border security infrastructure, personnel, and training.
• Oversight and Government Reform Committee approved their title 22-21. This title largely reforms retirement and benefit programs for federal employees.
• House Judiciary Committee approved their title 23-17. This title largely imposes new fees on immigration applications.
• Transportation and Infrastructure Committee approved their title 36-30. This bill appropriates funds for Coast Guard equipment and infrastructure, rescinds “Green New Deal” transportation programs, and imposes fees on electric and hybrid vehicles.
• Natural Resources Committee approved their title 26-17. This title largely opens up federal lands to oil and gas development.
• Energy and Commerce Committee approved their title 30-24. This title deals largely with Medicaid.
• Agriculture Committee approved their title 29-25. This title deals with SNAP benefits and includes a $60 billion farm bill package.
• Ways and Means Committee approved their title 26-19. This title deals with the tax code.

The House Budget Committee will bundle all portions together into a single bill to markup on May 16, 2025, ready for consideration by the whole House on the floor. If the House can pass the “One Big Beautiful Bill,” or OBBB, the Senate would begin its own deliberations, and their version would be drastically different. Republican leaders originally hoped to sign the OBBB package into law by the end of May, but their new goal for passage is July 4, 2025, but Senate staff indicated that they believe the real deadline is before the start of the August recess. Read more here.

The Hershey Industry Performance Analysis (HIPA) Report is the most comprehensive financial benchmarking report in the convenience distribution industry. Thanks to The Hershey Company, participating CDA distributor members can access it at no cost.

Gain valuable financial and operational insights to make data-driven decisions and improve your business. The survey deadline has been extended to May 15 – don’t miss your chance to participate and receive key benchmarking data for your business.

For more details, click here or contact Lauren Herbert.

On May 1, 2025, Dr. Brian A. King, the former director of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) Center for Tobacco Products (CTP), has joined the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids.

On April 1, 2025, it was reported that Dr. King was placed on administrative leave, with dozens of other CTP staffers being issued letters of dismissal. King was offered reassignment to the Indian Health Service. As part of his new role as executive vice president (EVP) at the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids, King will oversee the organization’s work in the U.S. from the local level to the federal level.

Arlington, TX
February 16-18, 2026

Register online today!

Register now to increase your opportunity of being assigned a preferred booth location through the CDA priority point system. The CDA priority point system expires July 31. Exhibit space is assigned on a first-come first-served basis after July 31.

At Marketplace, the focus is to bring together distributors with their top trading partners and suppliers over a three-day period, featuring a one-day turnkey trade show, focused education sessions, a distributor showcase and enhanced networking opportunities.

Attendee registration opens in September.

By attending Marketplace 2026, you agree to the CDA Notices & Disclaimers.

About Marketplace | Exhibitor Prospectus | Trade Show

On May 5, 2025, nineteen Democratic-led states plus the District of Columbia announced they are suing the Trump administration and Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., claiming a mass reorganization of the agency — eliminating offices, cutting 10,000 jobs, and cutting public health programs — violates federal law and the Constitution. The lawsuit argues these actions bypass Congress and endanger services like Medicaid eligibility, mental health care and disease tracking. A related suit by unions and major cities echoes these concerns, citing unlawful overreach of executive power. Read more here.

Since returning from their Spring recess, Congressional republicans are planning to pass a massive bill through the reconciliation process which allows the majority party to bypass the Senate filibuster rules once per fiscal year, thus needing 51 votes instead of the traditional 60 votes to pass most legislation. Prior to the Spring recess, both chambers adopted a budget resolution, setting the stage for the passage of a massive bill that cuts taxes, cuts federal spending and invests in border security and national defense.

11 House committees have begun marking up their respective legislation pursuant to the reconciliation instructions adopted earlier this month. Each committee is at different stages of their respective bills. Eight committees have passed their bills (see below). The three remaining committees are still deliberating the most difficult decisions. Two of those, the Ways and Means Committee (dealing with the tax code) and the Agriculture Committee (dealing with food assistance) are facing difficulties. But the committee facing the greatest pressure is the House Energy and Commerce Committee. Republicans on that committee are evaluating how to achieve $880 billion in federal savings over the next decade. The bulk of those savings would be achieved by making major changes to Medicaid. After all the committees complete their markups, the House Budget Committee will bundle them together into a single bill ready for consideration by the whole House on the floor. After that, the Senate would begin its own deliberations, with some major differences in the size and scope of their spending cuts. Republican leaders previously hoped to get the bill signed into law by Memorial Day. That ambitious timeline now seems unachievable. Increasingly, Republicans are now saying the goal is to pass the Reconciliation Package by July 4, 2025.

Here are links to the committees that have already released or passed their reconciliation proposals.

• Armed Services Committee - approved their title 35-21. This title appropriates roughly $100 billion into weapons systems, shipbuilding, and military readiness activities.
• Education and Workforce Committee - approved their title 21-14. This title largely reforms the federal student aid system by restricting eligibility and placing more financial risk on institutions of higher education.
• Financial Services Committee - approved their title 30-22. This title rescinds “green” programs under the Department of Housing and Urban Development.
• Homeland Security Committee - approved their title 18-14. This title appropriates roughly $90 billion for border security infrastructure, personnel, and training.
• Oversight and Government Reform Committee - approved their title 22-21. This title largely reforms retirement and benefit programs for federal employees.
• House Judiciary Committee - approved their title 23-17. This title largely imposes new fees on immigration applications.
• Transportation and Infrastructure Committee - approved their title 36-30. This bill appropriates funds for Coast Guard equipment and infrastructure, rescinds “Green New Deal” transportation programs, and imposes fees on electric and hybrid vehicles.
• Natural Resources Committee - approved their title 26-17. This title largely opens up federal lands to oil and gas development.

On April 28, 2025, the Trump Administration signed an Executive Order to ensure anyone behind the wheel of a commercial vehicle is properly qualified and proficient in English. The Fact Sheet states:

• The Order directs the Secretary of Transportation to rescind guidance that watered down the law requiring English proficiency for commercial drivers.
• It mandates revising out-of-service criteria to ensure drivers violating English proficiency rules are placed out-of-service, enhancing roadway safety.
• It instructs the Secretary of Transportation to review state issuance of non-domiciled commercial driver’s licenses to identify any irregularities and ensure American drivers are validly licensed and qualified.
• The Order directs the Secretary of Transportation to carry out additional administrative, regulatory, or enforcement actions to improve the working conditions of America’s truck drivers.

Read more here.

The Promoting Resilient Supply Chains Act, H.R. 2444, introduced by Congressman John James (R-MI), passed the House of Representatives on April 28, 2025. The bipartisan legislation is aimed at strengthening supply chains and creating manufacturing jobs by fostering collaboration between the government and the private sector. Key provisions of the legislation include:

• Creating a Supply Chain Resiliency Program within the Department of Commerce to identify and address gaps in critical industries and emerging technologies.
• Establishing an Early Warning System to predict and prevent disruptions using advanced technology.
• Fostering Public-Private Collaboration to develop best practices and enhance supply chain security, with input from labor, industry, and government stakeholders.
• Reducing Dependence on Adversarial Nations by incentivizing domestic manufacturing and diversifying supply sources.

The International Trade Administration’s Industry and Analysis unit would be responsible for promoting the stability and resilience of critical US supply chains and addressing supply shocks under H.R. 2444. The bill would establish an interagency working group to assess critical supply chains, identify vulnerability in critical industries and evaluate the ability of domestic manufacturers or manufacturers based in allied countries to provide critical goods and technologies. The House Energy and Commerce Committee approved the measure on April 8, 2025, by a 50-1 vote. Read more here.

USPack, established in 1986, is a prominent last-mile logistics provider serving Fortune 500 companies, major hospital systems and top local brands across the U.S. Specializing in retail, big & bulky deliveries and healthcare, USPack leverages partnerships to optimize truck capacities and drive efficiencies. The company's pooling strategy supports order fluctuations, flexible replenishment and cost reduction. With a national network, USPack aligns delivery routes for maximum efficiency, handling all logistics so clients can enjoy the benefits.

Contact information for USPack Logistics LLC is as follows:

Frank Powell
frank.powell@gouspack.com
USPack Logistics LLC
4563 Judge Rd, Suite 100
Orlando, FL 32812
(866) 803-3499
www.gouspack.com

National Retail Solutions (NRS) offers POS systems and card payment acceptance for USA and Canada independent retailers. Robust hardware and intuitive software streamline transactions, inventory tracking, e-commerce and reporting, plus integration with Google and DoorDash. NRS Pay offers two payment acceptance plans: Clean Rate and Cash Discount. Both include a free credit card reader, zero hidden fees, no long-term commitment and no early termination fee. Choose from Puma, Cheetah, Panther Tablet POS or Panther Workstation. Add Premium Features individually, or for the best value, bundle them within ‘Pro' or ‘Advanced’ software.

Contact information for National Retail Solutions is as follows:

James Bleemer
jbleemer@nrsplus.com
National Retail Solutions
520 Broad Street
Newark, NJ 07102
(908) 295-7737
https://nrsplus.com/

The Hershey Industry Performance Analysis (HIPA) Report is the most comprehensive financial benchmarking report in the convenience distribution industry. Thanks to The Hershey Company, participating CDA distributor members can access it at no cost.

Gain valuable financial and operational insights to make data-driven decisions and improve your business. The survey deadline has been extended to May 15 – don’t miss your chance to participate and receive key benchmarking data for your business.

For more details, click here or contact Lauren Herbert.

Arlington, TX
February 16-18, 2026

Register online today!

Register now to increase your opportunity of being assigned a preferred booth location through the CDA priority point system. The CDA priority point system expires July 31. Exhibit space is assigned on a first-come first-served basis after July 31.

At Marketplace, the focus is to bring together distributors with their top trading partners and suppliers over a three-day period, featuring a one-day turnkey trade show, focused education sessions, a distributor showcase and enhanced networking opportunities.

Attendee registration opens in September.

By attending Marketplace 2026, you agree to the CDA Notices & Disclaimers.

About Marketplace | Exhibitor Prospectus | Trade Show

Last week, a letter was sent by 18 U.S. Senators to U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Acting Director Dr. Susan Monarez, and U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Commissioner Dr. Brian Makary, outlining their concerns regarding the impact that “drastic staffing cuts at the Department of Health and Human Services will have on efforts to reduce smoking and other tobacco use.” The letter contains numerous questions, including how many staff at the FDA’s Center for Tobacco Products (CTP) have been terminated and how does the FDA CTP intend to spend the $712 million in manufacturer tobacco user fees received by the agency each year. Also, the senators state that without adequate personnel, “CTP will not be able to meet its statutory requirement to enforce the law and effectively conduct premarket review of new tobacco products and prevent the entry of products that will increase youth tobacco use.”

On April 29, 2025, U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Commissioner Marty Makary said in an interview with MedPageToday that the FDA doesn’t plan to execute a reorganization of the agency but will consolidate offices that handle travel, technology and other departments.

Makary’s comments come after the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) executed layoffs on April 1, 2025, across federal health agencies, aiming to reduce the size of its workforce. The cuts targeted 3,500 employees at the FDA and broadly hit staff working in program management, human resources, technology, policy, communications and other administrative areas. Makary said in the interview that the FDA’s staff has increased over the years, which resulted in an “increased regulatory creep.” Read more here.