Innovation in Store for NACDS Total Store Expo Attendees

PRESS RELEASE

August 14, 2014, Arlington, Va. — Bringing together retailers and suppliers for four days of innovative programming and exhibits, the National Association of Chain Drug Stores (NACDS) Total Store Expo will bring its focus on current opportunities and future vision to the Boston Convention & Exhibition Center, August 23-26. Now in its second year, attendees will have the opportunity to engage in this next generation of trade shows.

The NACDS Total Store Expo is distinguished in its ability to deliver the precision and personalization that members have come to expect from NACDS conferences and meetings. The show enables business partners to innovate together across departments and functions with an eye toward the total store experience.

Attending this unique show requires advanced preparation. NACDS has developed state-of-the art online and mobile resources to help attendees arrive ready to go in Boston later this month.

The website at tse.nacds.org includes tactical resources to help exhibitors and retailers plan effectively for the meeting, including video tutorials, preparation checklists, a meeting-scheduling tool and other resources and insights.

Another highly-useful online tool in planning for the show is the mobile app. The app provides a robust dashboard of features to help attendees plan ahead and navigate the NACDS Total Store Expo. Key features include interactive maps, schedule of events, list of exhibitors, NACDS-TV videos, photo gallery and the ability to set up a profile to connect with other attendees.

Further reinforcing NACDS’ commitment to innovation and providing opportunities for success for attendees, NACDS-TV will return — this time with an eye-catching studio in the Exhibit Hall that will offer attendees the possibility to go on-camera with their success stories.

This year, NACDS-TV also is helping registrants prepare for the show though video tutorials on the show’s programming and other useful tips and “how-to’s” to help make the show experience successful for retailers and suppliers. NACDS-TV will also offer daily coverage throughout the trade Expo.

Programming for the NACDS Total Store Expo drives success for attendees. Utilizing the online tools and multimedia resources, attendees can plan ahead to help ensure an efficient and effective trade show experience:

Business Program: Attendees will have access to these exclusive opportunities to hear from key industry leaders on key industry issues, as well as high-caliber keynote speakers addressing relevant and timely topics.

Compelling Speakers: The NACDS Total Store Expo would not be complete without a cadre of distinguished and compelling speakers.

Dr. Ben S. Bernanke, former chairman, The Federal Reserve System will address attendees during the morning Business Program on Sunday, August 24. In his remarks, Dr. Bernanke will impart his experience as the nation’s former leading financial advisor during some of the nation’s most challenging financial times.

John Standley, chairman and chief executive officer, Rite Aid Corporation and chairman of the NACDS board of directors, will stress the importance of retailer-supplier collaboration in an ever-evolving and -innovating industry from a CEO’s perspective during the morning Business Program on Sunday, August 24.

Steve Anderson, president and chief executive officer, NACDS, will highlight the unique opportunities for retailers and suppliers to work together within the current operating environment nationally and within NACDS during the morning Business Program on Sunday, August 24.

Exhibit Floor: The NACDS Total Store Expo exhibit floor offers attendees the opportunity to discover the latest products and services from innovative suppliers in the areas of consumer goods, pharmacy, technology and more. The floor is open from 12:00 noon — 6:00 p.m. on Sunday, August 24; 9:30 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. on Monday, August 25; and 8:00 a.m. – 12:00 noon on Tuesday, August 26.

Insight Sessions: Educational “Insight Sessions” will offer presentations by experts on a variety of key issues and priorities including innovation, healthcare, business and logistics. To date, 23 Insight Sessions are scheduled during the NACDS Total Store Expo.

Each session is carefully crafted to ensure that attendees are receiving helpful information to conduct business on a day-to-day basis on a variety of topics including the impact of the Affordable Care Act, emerging healthcare models, business planning, consumer and market trends, innovation, health information technology and digital solutions. Visit the NACDS Total Store Expo website for a full listing of the sessions.

Meet the Market: Meet the Market can turn innovative exchanges into real-world opportunities. These 10-minute appointments arranged by NACDS enable participating exhibitors to present their company and products to retailers, resulting in thousands of meetings. The program will take place on Saturday, August 23 from 9:30 a.m. — 5:30 p.m. in Exhibit Hall C.

Meet the Retailer: Meet the Retailer is one of the most acclaimed components of the NACDS Total Store Expo. Suppliers have the opportunity to hear directly from retailers about how-to do business together. These sessions will take place concurrently on Saturday, August 23 from 11:00 a.m. — 4:30 p.m. in meeting rooms on Level 1. Please note these sessions are for exhibitors only, and are not open to media.

Product Showcase: Attendees do not have to wait until the start of the NACDS Total Store Expo to view the latest products that will be exhibited during the trade show. The virtual Product Showcase can be viewed electronically now. Onsite at the NACDS Total Store Expo, the premium location of these glass-enclosed cases offer exhibitors the opportunity to showcase their latest products as retailers conduct business on the exhibit floor throughout the show.

Vision 2025: Partnering with NACDS in this endeavor are Checkpoint Systems and Kantar Retail, leaders in global retail merchandising and technology, Vision 2025 will provide attendees with a glimpse of “what comes next” in the industry through technology platforms, displays and interactive experiences. Accessible to all attendees, this innovative exhibit will be located at the entrance to the exhibit floor during the four-day trade show.

“The NACDS Total Store Expo is unlike any other industry trade show, with an eye toward utilizing innovation and technology in maximizing business opportunities throughout the entire store,” said NACDS President and CEO Steven C. Anderson, IOM, CAE. “The many facets of this unique show present opportunities well-beyond the four days in Boston. We look forward to a successful show that provides bold visions, and long-term success for the industry.”