NACDS Total Store Expo: A Trade Show Evolution

A look ahead to the exciting opportunities presented at this newly created trade exposition.

Pharmacists will have a new meeting to attend this year, a fast-paced, multi-layered convention that will provide a broader forum for industry professionals to exchange ideas and do business. Excitement is building as the National Association of Chain Drug Stores (NACDS) continues preparations for this new conference—called the Total Store Expo (TSE)—which combines the NACDS Pharmacy & Technology Conference with the annual Supply Chain and Logistics Conference and the Marketplace Conference. But this new show, slated for August 10 through 13 at the Sands Expo in Las Vegas, is more than just pulling together 3 major conferences into 1.

The new format, in fact, will include facets of these major conventions, but NACDS says it will offer much more. In these challenging times for health care, the TSE will provide an opportunity for synergies and networking among all the players in ways that have not happened in the past. For pharmacists, it will offer access to other parts of the industry, uniting all the areas of chain drug retailing into 1 venue. Pharmacists will also have more educational choices covering broader areas of interest as well as new topics to explore.

“The evolutionary new NACDS Total Store Expo will bring drug, food, mass, club, and value segments together into 1 trade show complete with high-caliber business opportunities,” said Jim Whitman, NACDS senior vice president of member programs and services.

On the educational side, he predicts that there will be new avenues to explore: “It’s going to be very broad and that’s where the excitement will be for many attendees. So much is happening out there, and there’s a need for a venue that tries to bring as much in for those who are interested, and conversely, for those who would like to be interested, but normally don’t have an opportunity to explore some of these things.”

Starting with “Meet the Market” on Saturday, August 10, which is open to all first-time exhibitors and exhibitors with a new product, the show attracts key decision makers and provides a service to buyers who represent more than 80,000 top retail outlets and pharmacies. The “Meet the Retailer” segment, also on Saturday, is open to suppliers only and offers senior retail executives the opportunity to provide information about conducting business with their company.

Overall, the TSE covers the “total store,” including baby care, beauty, consumables, cosmetics and fragrances, general merchandise, health care/OTC, home health care, household products, personal care, pharmacy products, pharmacy operations, photography, seasonal, supply chain and logistics, and wellness. From packaging to research and development to merchandising and marketing, the show will provide new ways to do business.

For the pharmacist looking for education, NACDS has promised solutionoriented educational programming that covers technology trends, new regulations, and clinical topics that address patient-centric issues. The educational programs run from Sunday through Monday. Pharmacists can expect presentations on branded and generic medications, technologies, specialty pharmacy, and reimbursement issues, among other trendsetting topics, for continuing education credit.

The TSE will offer a first-time opportunity to bring segments of the market together and offers new opportunities for engagement, networking, and new ideas. As Jim Whitman explains, “We want to provide, over these 4 days, a wealth of opportunities and information for people that is going to make them better when they go back to their respective companies.” For more information, visit www.tse.nacds.org.