2024-11-15T14:20:15-07:00 2023-12-31 990 2023-01-01 135568722 CIGAR ASSOC OF AMERICA INC CIGA 2022238204 1310 G Street NW Suite 680 Washington DC 20005 Scott Pearce President 2022238204 2024-11-13 1 2023 2024-10-15 13:58:12Z Scott Pearce 1310 G Street NW Suite 680 Washington DC 20005 5000326 0 X cigarsusa.org X 1937 NY On behalf of our members, we ensure a strong, vibrant, and growing cigar industry by championing member-driven advocacy, raising awareness of the positive impact of our members and the industry, and driving value and growth for our members 15 15 4 0 0 0 364000 376000 4525367 4591451 5204 32875 0 0 4894571 5000326 0 0 0 0 1090008 1128354 0 0 0 3759416 4040143 4849424 5168497 45147 -168171 2528499 2256871 342151 235386 2186348 2021485 Our vision is to ensure a strong, vibrant, and growing cigar industry. We achieve this vision through our threefold mission: (1) Championing member-driven advocacy to defend and protect the industry from harmful regulations and legislation. (2) Raising awareness of the positive economic impact and charitable contributions of our members and the industry. (3) Promoting policies that foster growth and deliver value for our members and the industry. 0 0 2168581 0 0 State Affairs Program Activities: CAA actively monitors and responds to tax and regulatory developments affecting the cigar industry at state and local levels. As the industry's advocate, CAA represents its members' views on legislation, taxation, regulation, and other government issues. Member companies are promptly informed of any proposed legislation that could negatively impact the cigar industry. When necessary, CAA takes action to prevent harmful regulations or pursues litigation in specific states to protect its members' best interests. 380386 0 0 Federal Affairs Program Activities: CAA monitors and responds to federal tax and regulatory developments affecting the cigar industry. As a dedicated advocate, CAA represents its members' interests by conveying the industry's perspectives on regulation, taxation, and legislative matters to lawmakers and relevant government agencies. Members are promptly informed of any proposed federal legislation that may negatively impact the cigar industry. When necessary, CAA takes action to halt unfavorable regulations or pursue litigation to protect the industry's interests. 668620 0 0 FDA Litigation, State Litigation, Other Litigation, and Industry Regulation Monitoring and Response: Most of these expenses relate to ongoing litigation with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). In 2023, the association continued its legal and regulatory efforts with the FDA on behalf of its members. These legal services included engaging in discussions, educating, and informing the FDA about the cigar industry, explaining how our products are processed and manufactured, highlighting the unique challenges of regulating the industry, and emphasizing the impact that FDA regulations could have on our members and the industry as a whole. Other expenses in this category address litigation with local and state governments, focusing on tax issues, legislation, and sales bans that affect the cigar industry. 15560 0 0 Economic Insights and Reporting: This program activity encompasses various member surveys for reporting on purchases and sales, along with statistical reporting of industry data. It includes analysis of key industry metrics, such as import and export data, as well as domestic manufacturing information provided by the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB). 160951 0 0 Public Relations and Communications: This program activity involves public communication, industry promotion, and targeted PR efforts through social media, our website, press releases, and other media outlets. Expenses include fees for public affairs and communications consulting, graphic design for social media, website, and promotional materials, as well as website development and maintenance. Additional costs cover meetings and events sponsored or co-sponsored by the Cigar Association of America. 200728 0 176300 Annual Meeting Expenses: The annual board and member meeting is a pivotal event for the Cigar Association of America, uniting industry leaders to discuss key issues, regulatory updates, and advocacy priorities. It includes strategic sessions on legislative challenges, and market insights, along with networking opportunities and collaborative team sessions. This meeting strengthens industry alignment, member engagement, provides valuable data and insights, and reinforces CAA's mission to support and advance the cigar industry. 377239 0 176300 3594826 0 1 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 0 0 1 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 66 0 1 4 1 0 0 0 0 1 1 0 0 0 X 15 15 1 0 0 0 1 1 0 1 1 0 0 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 0 X Daniel Cotter 2022238204 1310 G Street NW Suite 680 Washington DC 20005 David M Ozgo President 40 0 X 375165 0 71463 Daniel Cotter Vice President of Finance & Operations 40 0 X 187318 0 52486 Brian Fojtik Senior Vice President, Government Affairs 40 0 X 199654 0 22320 Mudiaga Kpohraror Director of State Government Relations 40 0 X 150192 0 14125 Javier Estades Chairman of the Board of Directors 0.25 0 X X 0 0 0 Rob Wilkey Vice Chair, Board of Directors 0.20 0 X X 0 0 0 Henry Roemer Treasurer of the Board of Directors 0.30 0 X X 0 0 0 Chris Howard Member, Board of Directors 0.1 0 X 0 0 0 Dylan Austin Member, Board of Directors 0.1 0 X 0 0 0 Regis Broersma Member, Board of Directors 0.1 0 X 0 0 0 Ralph Brown Member, Board of Directors 0.1 0 X 0 0 0 Christopher Casey Member, Board of Directors 0.10 0 X 0 0 0 Terry Gallagher Jr Member, Board of Directors 0.10 0 X 0 0 0 Michael Gold Member, Board of Directors 0.10 0 X 0 0 0 Diane Kalambokas Member, Board of Directors 0.10 0 X 0 0 0 Arthur Kemper Member, Board of Directors 0.10 0 X 0 0 0 Neil Kiely Member, Board of Directors 0.10 0 X 0 0 0 Millie Lukose Member, Board of Directors 0.10 0 X 0 0 0 Owen McKeon Member, Board of Directors 0.10 0 X 0 0 0 Drew Newman Member, Board of Directors 0.10 0 X 0 0 0 Eric Newman Member, Board of Directors 0.10 0 X 0 0 0 Robert Newman Member, Board of Directors 0.10 0 X 0 0 0 Nicholas Perdomo Member, Board of Directors 0.10 0 X 0 0 0 Emily Rodriguez Member, Board of Directors 0.10 0 X 0 0 0 Patrick Rooney Member, Board of Directors 0.10 0 X 0 0 0 Rhondetta Walton Member, Board of Directors 0.10 0 X 0 0 0 Arthur Zaretsky Member, Board of Directors 0.10 0 X 0 0 0 Enri Zarka Member, Board of Directors 0.10 0 X 0 0 0 Kellie Newton Secretary of the Board of Directors 0.25 0 X 0 0 0 912329 0 160394 4 0 1 1 Fox Rothschild LLP 2000 Market Street 20th Floor Philadephia PA 191033222 Litigation and regulatory matters 605783 Dotchin & Associates LLC 1455 Pennsylvania Avenue NW Suite 400 Washington DC 20004 Government relations 152976 Jake Perry & Partners 1838 Randolph St NW Washington DC 20011 Government relations 130317 3 0 0 0 0 0 376000 0 376000 Annual Meeting Registration Revenue 813910 176300 176300 0 0 4415151 4415151 0 0 4591451 35224 35224 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 -2349 0 0 0 -2349 -2349 -2349 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 5000326 4624326 0 0 X 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 668602 0 668602 0 0 0 0 0 337509 0 337509 0 12362 0 12362 0 54249 0 54249 0 55632 0 55632 0 0 0 0 0 58389 0 58389 0 14789 0 14789 0 1093576 1093576 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1453 0 1453 0 160951 160951 0 0 26154 0 26154 0 46992 0 46992 0 0 0 0 0 92805 0 92805 0 114658 0 114658 0 0 0 0 0 200728 200728 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 17058 0 17058 0 14360 0 14360 0 State and Federal Affairs Program 1455391 1455391 0 0 Litigation and Regulatory Matters Program 668620 668620 0 0 Economics Insights and Reporting Program 15560 15560 0 0 Miscellaneous Expenses 58659 0 58659 0 5168497 3594826 1573671 0 X 1394107 1181169 0 0 0 0 8165 11377 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 20724 26669 60977 47319 15360 13658 0 0 872225 902535 0 0 11114 13924 206804 107539 2528499 2256871 120891 120124 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 221260 115262 342151 235386 X 2186348 2021485 0 0 2186348 2021485 2528499 2256871 -168171 3308 0 0 0 0 X 0 1 1 0 RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 4516151 1093576 0 1093576 1129038 0 -35462 Schedule C, Part I-A, Line 1 Schedule C, Part 1-A, Line 1 - CAA usually contributes to political campaigns. In 2023, CAA did not make any contributions to political campaigns. 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2958 0 2042 916 58019 0 45277 12742 0 0 0 0 13658 902535 F 0 902535 0 Operating Leases Liabilities 115262 115262 X Schedule D, Part X, Line 2 _Schedule D, Part X, Line 2 - There are no liabilities for uncertain tax positions. X X 0 0 0 David M Ozgo President 375000 0 0 0 165 0 15000 0 56463 0 446628 0 0 0 Brian Fojtik Vice President, State Relations 179546 0 20000 0 108 0 5333 0 16987 0 221974 0 0 Daniel Cotter Vice President of Finance & Operations 170000 0 17000 0 318 0 6800 0 45685 0 239803 0 0 0 Mudiaga Kpohraror Director of State Government Relations 139050 0 11124 0 18 0 5562 0 8563 0 164317 0 0 0 Schedule J, Part I, Line 3 CAA has a Planning & Oversight Committee made up of board members who routinely review and approve the written compensation package of the President. Kellie L Newton Officer - Secretary 58384 Legal services rendered for the association. 0 Henry Roemer Officer - Treasurer 3870 Trademark services 0 Form 990, Part VI, Section A, Line 2 Board of Directors members Eric Newman, Drew Newman, and Robert Newman share both family and business relationships. Form 990, Part VI, Section A, Line 6 The Cigar Association of America has thirty-seven (37) member companies. Each member belongs to one of the following membership categories: Manufacturer, Distributor, lmporter, Mail Order (Online Retail Sales), Tobacco Suppliers, Other Suppliers, and Supporting Members. Form 990, Part VI, Section A, Line 7a At the annual Board of Directors meeting, the membership elects directors to serve a one-year term. These directors represent the following membership categories: Manufacturer, Distributor, Importer, and Mail Order (Online Retail Sales). Form 990, Part VI, Section B, Line 11b A draft of Form 990 and its supporting schedules is reviewed by management before being submitted to our CPA firm for further review. Once finalized, the Form 990 and supporting schedules are distributed to each board member. Form 990, Part VI, Section B, Line 12c The Conflict of Interest Policy and Disclosure Statements are distributed annually to all directors and employees. Completed disclosure statements are reviewed by the President and the Secretary. The policy also requires directors and employees to promptly notify the President of any changes to the information provided in their disclosure statement. Form 990, Part VI, Section B, Line 15 Upon request, any member of the public may view and copy the governing documents, Conflict of Interest Policy, and financial statements by scheduling an in-person appointment at the Cigar Association of America's main office. Form 990, Part VI, Section C, Line 19 Upon request, any member of the public may schedule an appointment to visit the Cigar Association of America's main office to view and copy certain documents. Form 990, Part IX, Line 25 The total functional expenses match the amounts listed in the CAA 2023 audited financial statements. Form 990, Part X, Line 33 The total liabilities and net assets balance match the amounts listed for these line items in the CAA 2023 audited financial statements. Schedule B, Part I In 2023, five companies and organizations contributed more than $5,000 to support our vision of ensuring a strong, vibrant, and growing cigar industry.