NACDS announces “Total Store Expo” as new event

Based on input from member companies and a long-term vision for bringing business partners together in a more innovative conference environment, the National Association of Chain Drug Stores (NACDS) today announced a transformation of its conference program.

Larry Merlo, NACDS chairman of the board and president of CVS Caremark Corporation, announced that, in 2013, NACDS will unify its current NACDS Marketplace Conference, NACDS Pharmacy & Technology Conference and NACDS Supply Chain & Logistics Conference into one new event: The “NACDS Total Store Expo.”

The NACDS lineup of business meetings will continue to include the NACDS Regional Chain Conference and NACDS Annual Meeting in their current forms.

“The NACDS Total Store Expo will deliver the precision and personalization that members have come to expect from current NACDS conferences, and will add the power of an unparalleled conference in our industry,” said Merlo. “After careful thought and study, we are convinced that the innovation we are announcing today will deliver even more power and value to the NACDS membership.”

The NACDS Board of Directors approved this innovation in the NACDS conference schedule based on input from members generated through ongoing dialogue and a formal outreach program over the past year that was designed to identify any opportunities to revolutionize NACDS events.

“Perhaps the most important message that I want to convey is that our Board of Directors is committed to supporting this approach to conducting business through NACDS,” said Merlo. “In fact, the Board is going to meet during the NACDS Total Store Expo – increasing its number of Board meetings per year from two to three.”

The first NACDS Total Store Expo is scheduled for August 10-13, 2013, in Las Vegas. It will also be the 80th Anniversary of NACDS. The dates and locations of the conference in subsequent years will be announced moving forward.