4 Pharmacy Conferences You Should Consider Attending in 2018

Pharmacy conferences provide great opportunities to expand your professional horizons. Conferences also offer continuing education programs, which are important for licensure renewal and to stay up-to-date with the pharmacy profession.

Networking is a great way to meet colleagues in your practice area and also pharmacists in other pharmacy specialties. Pharmacy conferences may offer interview opportunities, so if you are on the lookout for a new job, then be sure to bring business cards and an updated curriculum vitae. Consider presenting a poster to showcase your research and innovative practice setting. Check with your employer to see if there is a travel budget to help fund your conference. If you are a member of one of the organizations, then conference registration is generally less expensive. Select a conference that will enhance your current practice setting. Pharmacy conferences are offered all over the country, and may provide exciting destinations with great sightseeing opportunities during leisure time.

Here are 4 pharmacy conferences you should consider attending:

• American Pharmacists Association (APhA) Annual Meeting

If you are practicing in the community and ambulatory care setting, then the APhA annual meeting may be just for you. The conference will be held March 16-19, 2018 in the Music City Center in downtown Nashville, Tennessee. There are a variety of educational programs including an ambulatory care review and recertification course, immunization certificate program, pharmacy laws and regulations, medication therapy management certificate program, and pain management. The closing reception at the Wildhorse Saloon will provide a great end to the conference with entertainment and food.

• American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy (AACP) Annual Meeting

The AACP annual meeting provides great opportunities for pharmacy faculty, administrators, and staff to enhance their teaching and research through over 100 educational programs. The conference will take place in Boston, Massachusetts July 21-25, 2018. The program schedule will be available sometime in the spring, but generally includes workshops on teaching strategies, admissions, precepting, research, and leadership. While you are in Boston, take some time to also visit some of the tourist attractions such as Newbury Street, the Boston Public Library, and Fenway Park.

• American College of Clinical Pharmacy (ACCP) Global Conference on Clinical Pharmacy

Clinical pharmacists, educators, administrators, students, residents, and fellows are sure to find the ACCP conference stimulating. The conference will take place at the Washington State Conference Center in Seattle, Washington October 20-23, 2018. The program agenda will be published at a later date. Must see attractions include the Space Needle, Pike Place Market, and the Museum of Pop Culture.

• American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP) Midyear Clinical Meeting

Pharmacists practicing in hospital and ambulatory care settings, and pharmacy students interested in pursuing a residency will benefit from the ASHP conference. The conference is being held in Anaheim, California December 2-6, 2018 and is expected to be attended by over 20,000 pharmacists. The educational session schedule will be posted at a later date, but programs generally include new drug updates, therapeutics topics, and research. The meeting is known for its residency showcase featuring programs from across the country, and pharmacy students have the opportunity to participate in interviews. While in Anaheim, be sure to visit Disneyland and take a sightseeing tour of Hollywood.