From the desk of the Executive Director 

Fall is here which means it’s that time of year to soon be thinking about the upcoming holiday season, the end of the year, and the 2020 legislative session.

It’s always a busy time for the South Dakota Licensed Beverage Dealers and Gaming Association as we gear up for the upcoming session.

I feel each time I write my article for the newsletter, I sound like a broken record. But I think it is of great importance to continue to write and talk about it. Your license as a retailer is always under scrutiny and being threatened by the rules and regulations that are brought up each and every year during the legislative session.

If you haven’t ever attended the hearings during the session or listened to the testimony of the hearings that take place in regards to bills for or against the industry, you might consider attending a session on a bill that affects us, it would give you a great deal of insight as to how the process flows and what you are up against. That is why it is important to us and to the industry that representation is there to make the arguments for and against any bills that may or may not help you as an owner in the short and long run!

It never ceases to amaze me what comes up in one session to make or break the industry. It’s a continual battle, and it is for those reasons, that we must exist to insure you are protected. It’s your membership that helps us through those most difficult times with the help of our lobbyist who works on your behalf all 37 days of the session and the rest of the year to make sure you continue in business and thrive.

So, what can you do for us? If you aren’t a member, become a member! We all have belonged to a lot of different organizations for a cause and sometimes wonder if your membership is of value. Are these funds being spent the right way and getting full bang for the buck! But what is more valuable than your livelihood and all the years and hard work you have put into your business to be where you are today. What kind of price tag can you put on that? It can be very disheartening, but being a member of an organization that is in your corner so that you and the next generation have a future, what could your money be better spent on!

Contact one of our board members or our office to get the details of how you can become a member and what is it in for you! What a great way to start the upcoming new year, than to be a member of an organization that gets it!

As a member you also have an invite to a free dinner and visiting with legislators at our annual hog roast which is scheduled for Tuesday, January 21st, 2020 at the Red Rossa Italian Grille in Pierre, SD. It’s another great way to be involved as a member by getting in front of the legislators prior to them getting any bills that might hurt you as an owner or to push a bill that might help you! If a legislator can talk to someone that is being affected directly by their decisions, the impact is greater than you might think. So, take a trip to Pierre and spend a few hours to visit with them and what is on your mind. If you are unable to attend, then send us your concerns so that we can approach them on your behalf. You would be surprised the impact that it can have in a very short time with so little effort.

Our office is always available for you to voice your concerns and to reach out to the people that make the decisions in this highly regulated industry. Our contact information is as follows: (#800-721-1789) or 605-343-1844; Email address: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.; our website address is: www.sdliquorandgaming.com , which also includes a list of our board members under the menu item: “Officers”.

Thank you for your continued support of the South Dakota Licensed Beverage Dealers and Gaming Association.

We hope we will hear from you in the coming months.

Have a great fall!!

Sincerely,
 

Cathy Berg, Executive Director