DrSN's annual Industry Issues Summit to be held Dec. 4

NEW YORK Key executives from several leading suppliers and retailers will convene here next month to attend Drug Store News’ 9th Annual Industry Issues Summit—an invaluable supplier-retailer panel discussion that serves as a platform for the exchange of ideas on the issues that shape chain pharmacy.

The event will be held Dec. 4 at the Flatotel at 135 West 52nd Street in New York. Capping off the afternoon will be the 5th Annual Diabetes Roundtable.

“The Issues Summit and the Diabetes Roundtable are great chances to talk to retail leaders and learn about new business opportunities ... it’s six hours of productive vendor/retailer conversation,” said John Kenlon, publisher of Drug Store News.

The lively panel discussion will center on industry issues and challenges facing both retailers and suppliers, and will offer attendees insight into how to overcome those feats, develop stronger partnerships, plan and executive more efficiently, and bolster sales and market share.

Retail panelists include Chuck Fehlig of Wal-Mart; David D’Arezzo and Kaliroi Brodin of Duane Reade; Bryan Shirtliff and Ernest Richardsen of Rite Aid; Dan Funk of Supervalu; Dave Fong and Brian Hille of Safeway; Charles Burnett of Costco; Todd Vasos of Longs Drug Stores; Barbara Poling of Kmart; Mark Doerr and Robb Ayshford of Kmart/Sears; Jerry Kuske of Katz Group; John Fegan of Ahold; and Chrissy Ellegood of Medicine Shoppe.

The event also will feature two keynote speakers. Peter Hoyt, president of Hoyt Publishing and executive director of In-Store Marketing Institute, will talk about “Shopper Marketing.” Dr. Stephen Bruton, director of faculty development at Cabarrus/NorthEast Medical Center Family Practice Residency, will talk about “The New Diabetes Epidemic: What Retail Pharmacy Needs to Know.”

For more information and to sign up for the event, contact Rebecca Briggs, conference manager, at 212-756-5036 or email [email protected].