Save the Dates
6/12/23
The North Carolina Spirits Association will hold our meeting on Monday, August 7th at 12:30PM. I don’t have the meeting room yet, will send that information as soon as I have it.
Below is the link for registration and information on the meeting:
2023 NC ABC Boards Annual Meeting & Trade Show
Looking forward to seeing everyone in August.
9/14/20
The March Supervisor’s Meeting is tentatively scheduled for March 22nd & 23rd in Asheville, NC.
6/18/20
I was notified this morning that the 2020 Association of ABC Boards Summer Conference scheduled for Concord has been cancelled. The 2021 General Mangers Meeting will be in Asheville and I will send more information when I get the dates.
August 19th at the Embassy Suites
Concord, NC has been cancelled.
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May 29th update:
Good Afternoon,
The NC Association of ABC Boards has rescheduled their Summer Convention to August 18th-20th. It will be held at the Embassy Suites in Concord, NC as previously planned. They are meeting in early June to set up the agenda based on anticipated Covid-19 guidelines. Their hope is to have an in-person meeting, knowing that it might look a lot different than a normal NCAABC meeting. Our meeting is tentatively scheduled for the afternoon of August 17th based on availability of Chairman Guy attending.
I will update as I get additional information and confirmations.
Have a great weekend and stay safe.
Regards,
Walter Jordan
NCSA Executive Director
804-512-1420
6/16/20
To our NCSA Members,
I hope this note finds you and those important to you healthy and well. The leadership members of the NCSA continue to stay in contact with key partners within the ABC Commission and ABC Boards as we all navigate the current landscape managing the business and supporting important initiatives. I want to thank each of you who have brought forward concerns as these have led to great discussions to improve. This week, after hearing from several of you, Walter requested consideration to extend the relief on out of stock fees to August 1, 2020 and given the reasons supporting this request, Chairman Guy and Agnes Stevens quickly approved this request.
I appreciate our Board and Officers quickly determining this as an opportunity to address with the ABC Commission as well as Walter presenting the case on all of our behalf and hope you agree that this is one of many instances where our Board and Executive Director have proved to mitigate challenges and provide insightful guidance that is well received by those in the NC spirits industry.
We will continue to stay informed on additional opportunities impacting our customers in the on premise channel as well as developing determinations on the Association of ABC Boards’ Summer Conference schedule.
Thank you for your support.
Best regards,
Meredith
NCSA President Meredith McCormack
The North Carolina Association of ABC Boards Annual meeting is scheduled for August 15th-17th in Winston-Salem, NC.
The NCSA has tentatively scheduled our meeting for Sunday, August 15th from 3:00-5:00, meeting will be in the Benton Convention Center, meeting room TBD.
Use the below link for information on Registration, Accommodations, Schedule and Exhibitors.
Annual Meeting 2021 (ncabcboards.org)
Looking forward to seeing everyone in Winston-Salem in August.
If you have questions or need additional information, please let me know.
Regards,
Walter Jordan
11/12/20
Good Morning,
Hope things are going well for everyone during these uncertain times. Below are some updates on issues we have coming up.
Our association is due to elect officers in January. The officers and board have a virtual meeting scheduled for December 9th to set the date for the January meeting and discuss topic for the agenda for that meeting. Under the current Covid guidelines, the meeting will probably be virtual. If you would be interested in serving as an officer or on the board, please let myself or one of your current officers or board member know. Current slate of officers are:
President Meredith McCormack
Vice President Dave Spisak
Secretary Barry Sessoms
Treasurer Rocco Ageenko
Sargent at Arms Will Hester
Board Members Kirt Clemens, Mike Yates, Keith Woolery
Please see attached email from Walker Reagan regarding the tastings rules (below). The NCSA participated in the discussion and gave recommendations regarding the Association of ABC Boards further request for clarity on the scheduling requirements. The email has a link to the approved tasting rules that were effective November 1, 2020.
(The ABC Store Spirituous Liquor Tasting permanent rules became effective November 1, 2020. These rules were adopted by the ABC Commission on September 9, 2020 and approved by the Rules Review Commission on October 15, 2020. These rules will be added to the Administrative Code by November 5, 2020, and will be published in the NC Register on December 1, 2020.
This permanent rule can be viewed on the ABC Commission’s website at: https://portal.abc.nc.gov/Web%20Documents/Sections/Legal/Statutes%20and%20Regulations/4.%20Effective%20Administrative%20Rule%20Changes/ABC%20Store%20Spirituous%20Liquor%20Tastings%20Rules%20Effective%20-%2014B%20NCAC%2015C%20.1301,%20.1303%20-%20.1305,%20.1307.pdf.)
Attached is an election update sent last week from our Lobbyist, David Ferrell. If you did not receive, please let me know so I can get you added to his email list. There are several changes with key legislators regarding spiritous liquor and David is working on meetings with the representatives that will be involved.
NC ABC Racking Project: Earlier this year, the NC ABC hired a space utilization contractor to develop a vertical racking system for the agency’s 204,000-square-foot warehouse. Currently, this project is in the hands of the State Construction Office for review. Date to proceed is TBD for bid and subsequent installation, but this will be a key project that could impact new listing opportunities moving forward.
The North Carolina Association of ABC Boards has scheduled their March Supervisor’s Meeting for March 22nd & 23rd in Asheville. They will make a decision after the first of the year as to the structure of the meeting. I will keep you updated as I get additional information.
Invoices for 2021 dues will be sent next month.
On October 26th, Laurie Lee sent an email notifying suppliers that effective January 1, 2021, the Commission will be reinstating Out of Stock Fees. In that email, she also addressed Past Due Invoices for incidental service charges and Delisting Criteria that the Commission will be addressing in a few weeks. If you did not receive the email, let me know and I will forward a copy. Our Association and our suppliers were successful in having OOS fees waived since the start of the Covid Pandemic. If you have ideas or suggestions on whether or how the Association can address this with the Commission, please respond to myself and your officers and board.
Thank you for your support of the North Carolina Spirit Association this year, especially under trying circumstances. Please contact me with any questions you may have.
Regards,
Walter Jordan
NCSA Executive Director
804-512-1420
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE MAY 6, 2015
NC ABC COMMISSION APPROVES STORE REQUESTED BY CRAMERTON ABC BOARD
RALEIGH – The North Carolina Alcoholic Beverage Control Commission met today and approved a new ABC store location requested by the Cramerton ABC Board. The proposed store is to be built on an unaddressed parcel of land in an annexed portion of Cramerton. The property is beside a property addressed 4609 S. New Hope Road, Gastonia, NC.
In other business, the NC ABC Commission approved a request for an exemption to 04 NCAC 2T 0707(11) pursuant to the authority granted the Commission under NCGS 18B-1116. The approval allows Carolina Brewing Co. to purchase advertising from Holly Springs Baseball.
The Commission also accepted the final report for mandatory review of 04 NCAC .02R. The report next will go before the Rules Review Commission at its June 16 meeting.
The Commission also took action on 27 permit violations, levying fines in excess of $32,000 and/or imposing suspensions of five days or more on businesses that hold permits to sell alcohol in the state. Fines are due May 29, and suspensions begin June 5.
ABOUT THE NC ABC COMMISSION
North Carolina is one of 17 states to regulate alcohol through a control system. Since 1937, the North Carolina Alcoholic Beverage Control Commission has provided regulation and control over the sale, purchase, transportation, manufacture, consumption and possession of alcoholic beverages in the state of North Carolina. The Commission oversees permits allowing alcohol sales by more than 18,000 retail outlets across the state. http://abc.nc.gov.
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MEDIA CONTACT
Agnes Stevens
919-417-0858
Agnes.Stevens@abc.nc.gov
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NC Spirits Association
7/19/17
To All NCSA Members,
I just received news from Mike Yates, our Chair of the Board of Directors, that the ABC Commission has approved Electronic Couponing effective today, July 19. We want to thank Mark Mullins, Mike Yates, David Ferrell, and others for their leadership in this effort.
Hope to see everyone at the NC Spirits Association meeting at 3:00 pm on Sunday, August 6 in Greensboro. Reminder: Board of Directors meet at 2:30 on Aug. 6.
Bill Hester
NCSA Administrator
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ELECTION OF 2017-2018 NORTH CAROLINA SPIRITS ASSOCIATION
OFFICERS AND DIRECTORS
WINTER MEETING JANUARY 17, 2017 RALEIGH, NC
Term of Office: Two Years
PRESIDENT: Mark Mullins, North American Spirits and Wine
VICE PRESIDENT: David Spisak, Proximo
SECRETARY/TREASURER: Meredith McCormack, Beam Global/Suntory
SARGENT AT ARMS: Keith Woolery, Brown Forman
CHAIRMAN OF BOARD OF DIRECTORS: Rick Statler, Southern Glazer’s Wine & Spirits
PAST PRESIDENT: Walter Jordan, Republic National Distilling
CLERICAL/COMPUTER SUPPORT: Marylin Diaz, Southern Glazer’s Wine & Spirits
ADMINISTRATOR: Bill Hester
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RALEIGH, N.C. — On January 27, 2015 - N.C. House Speaker Tim Moore (R-Cleveland) announced the Representatives who will chair each of the 2015-2016 House Committees.
“Each House Committee has the task of advocating for and improving some of the most important aspects of our community. The decision to choose the Representatives to lead these committees was made with great scrutiny. I have full faith in my colleagues placed in these positions of leadership, and look forward to starting a productive House session this week,” Speaker Moore stated on Monday.
The committee chairs are as follows:
Alcoholic Beverage Control
Chairman James L. Boles Jr, Chairman Jon HardisterVice-Chairman Kelly M. Alexander Jr, Vice-Chairman Kelly E. Hastings, Vice-Chairman Charles Jeter, Vice-Chairman Marvin W. Lucas
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Alcohol Ads & Promotions: Stay Informed & In Compliance
The ABC Commission has issued a number of ABC violations to businesses for improper alcohol advertisements and promotions. To keep you informed an in compliance with the law, NCRLA is offering a webinar (free to members) on April 6 at 3pm. Learn more about key ABC regulations that will enable you to craft advertising, promotional, and customer loyalty programs to drive sales while staying within the bounds of the law. The webinar will be hosted by Laura Collier, an attorney and longtime member of the hospitality industry who provides legal advice and assistance to food and beverage businesses. Laura will cover ABC rules regarding on-premise discounts and specials, advertising, signage, catering events, relationships with industry members, and other topics. Learn more and register.
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3/31/15
To all,
The voting members of the NC Spirits Association were polled last week concerning our stand on a proposed legislative measure to ban powdered alcohol. All members but one voted for the ban. That member deferred any opinion to DISCUS. I will publish the results soon by email and our web site. We will also publish a press release.
So it is clear, the NCSA supports the ban of powdered alcohol in NC. If another bill is proposed that is substantially different, I will poll the voting members again. If it is not, I will use these results after conferring with the officers. If that happens, I will also send that bill to you with mention of our proposed support.
PC
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE APRIL 8, 2015
NC ABC COMMISSION APPROVES STORES REQUESTED BY CATAWBA COUNTY AND WAXHAW ABC BOARDS
RALEIGH – The North Carolina Alcoholic Beverage Control Commission met today and approved two proposed ABC store locations:
Catawba County ABC received permission to lease space and open a new store at 2537 HWY 70 SE Suites H, I, J in Hickory. This will be the 11th store for the Catawba ABC Board.
The Waxhaw ABC Board ABC received permission to lease and open a store at 2528 Cuthbertson Road in Waxhaw. This store will replace the board’s existing ABC store located approximately 1.7 miles south at 1305 N. Broome St.
In other business, the NC ABC Commission received two exemption requests related to 18B-1116. One request was from Olde Mecklenburg Brewery, Great Wagon Road Distilling, and Broken Spoke LLC, to allow the owners of these businesses also to hold ownership interests in the other businesses. The commercial and retail businesses will operate separately. The second exemption request was from JR Motorsports to allow Oskar Blues Brewery to sponsor a race vehicle owned by JR Motorsports. Dale Earnhardt Jr. has ownership interests in JR Motorsports and in a retail restaurant that has ABC permits. He will not be the driver of the vehicle with the Oskar Blues logos attached, and he does not manage the Whisky River restaurant. The Commission granted both requests.
The Commission also took action on 70 permit violations, levying fines in excess of $84,000 and/or imposing suspensions of five days or more on businesses that hold permits to sell alcohol in the state. Fines are due May 1, and suspensions begin May 8.
ABOUT THE NC ABC COMMISSION
North Carolina is one of 17 states to regulate alcohol through a control system. Since 1937, the North Carolina Alcoholic Beverage Control Commission has provided regulation and control over the sale, purchase, transportation, manufacture, consumption and possession of alcoholic beverages in the state of North Carolina. The Commission oversees permits allowing alcohol sales by more than 18,000 retail outlets across the state. http://abc.nc.gov.
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MEDIA CONTACT
Agnes Stevens
919-417-0858
Agnes.Stevens@abc.nc.gov
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Press Release
Governor McCrory Proclaims
April Alcohol Awareness Month
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 919-814-2100
Thursday, April 9, 2015 govpress@nc.gov
Raleigh, N.C. - Governor Pat McCrory has proclaimed April as Alcohol Awareness Month in North Carolina, joining a long-standing national effort to raise awareness about alcohol-related public health issues.
"We must have a strategy to change the culture of underage drinking as a rite of passage and binge drinking in our schools and universities," said Governor McCrory. "Awareness of the problem of underage drinking and alcohol addiction is key. In addition, we must offer help to young people who are doing harm to themselves and to their families. That’s why I created the Governor’s Substance Abuse and Underage Drinking Prevention and Treatment Task Force.”
North Carolina Alcoholic Beverage Control Commission studies show that the average age a young person starts to experiment with alcohol is 13.9 and an average of two North Carolina citizens die each week as a result of underage drinking.
“Clearly underage drinking and alcohol abuse is a serious problem that Governor McCrory is appropriately focusing attention on with his proclamation of April as Alcohol Awareness Month,” said NC ABC Commission Chairman Jim Gardner. “Underage drinking costs North Carolina citizens more than $1.5 billion annually, and more importantly, it often leads to tragic fatalities and injuries, as well as long-term damage to kids’ health. We have a responsibility to do something about changing it.”
Chairman Gardner serves as co-chair of the governor’s Substance Abuse and Underage Drinking Prevention and Treatment Task Force.
“I, along with Task Force Co-Chair DPS Secretary Frank Perry, am leading the effort so the departments of Public Safety, Health and Human Services, Public Instruction and other related organizations can work together at all levels to change this culture and stop this problem,” Chairman Gardner said.
ALCOHOL AWARENESS MONTH
Proclamation
April 1, 2015 • Ethics and Accountability
WHEREAS, the month of April has been designated as Alcohol \Awareness Month in North Carolina; and
WHEREAS, across our nation, alcohol abuse is a major public health problem that affects Americans from all communities and of all ages, races and ethnic backgrounds; and
WHEREAS, alcohol kills more children than all illegal drugs combined; and
WHEREAS, more than 34 percent of North Carolina high school students report having at least one drink of alcohol on one or more of the past 30 days; and
WHEREAS, 46 percent of North Carolinians 18-34 years old and 31 percent of citizens 35-44 years old report binge drinking in the past month; and
WHEREAS, underage drinking alone costs the citizens of North Carolina $1.5billion in medical care, work loss, and pain and suffering associated with the multiple problems resulting from the use of alcohol by youth; and
WHEREAS, two out of three teens aged 13-18 say it is easy to get alcohol from their homes without their parents’ knowledge; and
WHEREAS, parents can have a significant impact on their children's decision not to drink alcohol by creating clear family guidelines that set a no alcohol rule and by supporting this rule with zero tolerance; and
WHEREAS, minimizing access to alcohol creates a barrier and can protect children from harm; and
WHEREAS, alcohol abuse and dependency is treatable; however; stigma remains an issue that can cause people to avoid treatment and, as such, the State of North Carolina is working to decrease the stigma associated with alcohol abuse and dependence through increased awareness, education, discussion and community mobilization; and
WHEREAS, the State of North Carolina is working to mobilize efforts within communities across our state to implement strategies that prevent alcohol abuse and dependency by decreasing underage access to alcohol, changing community norms that promote underage and excessive alcohol consumption and addressing policies pertaining to underage and excessive drinking;
NOW, THEREFORE, I, PAT McCRORY, Governor of the State of North Carolina, do hereby proclaim April 2015, as “ALCOHOL AWARENESS MONTH” in North Carolina, and commend its observance to all citizens.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the Great Seal of the State of North Carolina at the Capitol in Raleigh this thirteenth day of March in the year of our Lord two thousand and fifteen, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and thirty-ninth.
PAT McCRORY
Governor