NCPA announces programming, features for 115th Annual Convention and Trade Exposition
ALEXANDRIA, Va. — The National Community Pharmacists Association today announced the availability of the preliminary program and continuing education offerings for its 115th Annual Convention and Trade Exposition taking place Oct. 12 to 16, 2013, at the Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Resort in Orlando, Fla., as well as some special features of this year’s event.
“The heart and soul of NCPA’s convention are the innovative continuing education offerings and peer-to-peer networking that help independent community pharmacists remain competitive,” said NCPA president Donnie Calhoun, RPh, a pharmacy owner in Anniston, Ala. “Every year, pharmacists attending the meeting tell us they go home with an idea or tip to improve their business that more than paid for the cost of their trip.”
The meeting’s theme — Meet. Learn. Succeed. — is evidenced by many of the offerings. The 10-page Preliminary Program summarizes such key features as CE learning opportunities through “Success with Less Stress in the Pharmacy” with self-management expert Joy Baldridge, “Real World Marketing to Put Your Pharmacy on the Map” and “Audit Protection and Defense;” many chances to interact with vendors regarding new pharmacy solutions; general sessions, which include industry updates from NCPA leaders and remarks by President Bill Clinton; and events to socialize and further network, including an Opening Reception featuring Disney characters and a ticket to Walt Disney World Magic Kingdom Theme Park. New this year, the Exhibit Hall will open one day early, during the Opening Reception Saturday, Oct. 12, giving pharmacists an additional opportunity to explore vendors’ offerings.
NCPA has also published on its website the full schedule of 34 CE sessions for meeting attendees. In addition to the topics mentioned above, other CE sessions include “Fantastic Front-End Fixes,” “Complementary Niche Services,” “Establishing and Maintaining Your Social Media Presence” and “Compounding Status Update and Industry Forecast.”
In conjunction with the meeting, NCPA is also offering pre-convention programming sessions. To give community pharmacists a pathway toward accreditation and billing for diabetes self-management education/training services, the “Diabetes Accreditation Standards — Practical Applications (DASPA)” program will be held Oct. 10 to 11. To improve a pharmacy’s front-end offerings to increase store traffic and sales, NCPA is offering the “Front-End Profit Building Seminar” on Oct. 11 (the Aug. 26 session is sold out). In addition, the “Opportunities in Compounding” session on Oct. 12 will cover enhancing a pharmacy’s compounding practice through nutrition and pain management offerings. Plus, “1-Year, 5-Year, 10-Year Plan? A Valuable Prep Course for Selling Your Pharmacy” to help community pharmacy owners plan ahead for retirement will be held on Oct. 12.
Individuals interested in attending the convention can register online at ncpanet.org or by calling (800) 544-7447.
Like this story? Find us on Facebook for more insight, analysis and the latest in drug store news. Join the conversation.