September 2025: Update from ACA CEO Monica Cohen

Six plus months ago, I stepped into this role as CEO of the American Cider Association (ACA). Semi-retired after more than 30 years in food and beverage, I missed having a community and being challenged. With cider, I’ve found both.

Since its founding, the ACA has achieved a lot for this industry. But in my short time here, it’s become clear: we need to do more, and we need to do better. I’m hell-bent on it.

Through conversations with our Board, staff, and many of you, I’ve been focused on building better. Here’s what that looks like so far:

• Advocacy that punches harder. The reintroduction of the Bubble Tax Bill is worth celebrating, but it’s just the beginning. We’re preparing to bring on some D.C. heavy hitters to move the needle for cider more aggressively on Capitol Hill.
• Education that reaches further. We’ve added two licensed educators, signed a new university partnership (announcement coming soon), and begun building the next level of programming. Next up: taking cider education to wholesale distributors.
• Partnerships that deliver more value. CiderCon® is a highlight, but our work with vendors can’t stop there. Our new Preferred Vendor Program is designed to save you money and strengthen your business year-round.
• Consumers who know cider. We’ve started small but important steps to boost cider’s visibility with drinkers through social media and increased media outreach, supporting your efforts to get cider on more radars and in more glasses.
• Membership that multiplies our power. More members mean more advocacy, more discounts, more clout. Imagine the impact if every cidery in the U.S. had a voice in the ACA. That’s the future we need to build together and why we have stepped up our efforts to increase membership.

This progress matters — but it’s not enough. Every day, you’re producing world-class ciders, running taprooms, and making tough choices about where to invest. You deserve an association that delivers more: more advocacy, more awareness, more data, more wins.

Right now, ACA is too thinly resourced to deliver at the level you need. I feel that every single day in this role. There are things I want and need to do for this industry, but without more support, I can’t move fast enough or far enough.

That’s why we launched our first-ever Capital Campaign this summer. Thanks to early champions — members and enthusiasts who have contributed — we’ve built a strong foundation.

But we’re still a long way from our $250,000 goal.

This is the moment to act. Whether it’s $25/month or a one-time gift, your support allows us to do more. Together, we can build the future this industry deserves.