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ARLINGTON, Va. — The National Association of Chain Drug Stores announced Monday that the 2020 Annual Meeting will not be held, due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Here is the statement from NACDS president and chief executive officer Steven Anderson:
An unwavering member focus defines NACDS and the NACDS Annual Meeting. As the COVID-19 situation evolved in recent weeks, NACDS continuously evaluated the prospect of presenting an Annual Meeting that lives up to expectations. Regrettably yet realistically, it became more and more apparent that a course-change would be appropriate and unavoidable. As you know, based on public health authorities’ analysis of the situation, the nation’s focus has shifted to “flattening the curve” – or preventing the spread of COVID-19 by limiting person-to-person contact.
Even as the NACDS Board of Directors was scheduled to make a final decision on this matter, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued a guidance that events of 50 or more people should not occur for the next eight weeks. Arizona Governor Doug Ducey announced that Arizona will follow the CDC’s guidance and such events, including conferences, will not be held in Arizona. To state the obvious, the 2020 NACDS Annual Meeting will not be held.
Consistent with this unique situation, and with NACDS’ unwavering member focus, NACDS will refund to members 100% of the funds paid to NACDS related to the 2020 Annual Meeting. We will hold ourselves to the highest standards of informing and serving NACDS members throughout this process. I invite you to rely on Jim Whitman, NACDS’ senior vice president of member programs and services, at (703) 837-4610, for any additional questions. Also, please visit the 2020 NACDS Annual Meeting frequently-asked-questions.
Of the highest importance right now, NACDS recognizes that everyone in the industry is in some way addressing the COVID-19 situation – professionally and personally. NACDS stands with you. NACDS is focusing on the goals of advancing health and wellness, member value, the industry’s patient-centric reputation, and the overall NACDS mission. I would like to remind you of the portal established for NACDS members at NACDS.org/Prepared for information specific to COVID-19.
Looking forward, the NACDS Board of Directors emphasizes that our attention turns to the 2020 NACDS Total Store Expo, which will be held August 8-10 in San Diego. The NACDS Total Store Expo will deliver on its usual expectations, and it will live up to its additional responsibilities in a year without the NACDS Annual Meeting. In addition, we already are planning for the highly anticipated return of the NACDS Annual Meeting next year, April 24-27, 2021, at The Breakers in Palm Beach.
As always, please know that your strong engagement in NACDS remains truly appreciated. We remain committed to working alongside you for the ultimate good of the patients, consumers, team members, communities, and nation we all serve.
