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LAS VEGAS — The National Association of Chain Drug Stores, which celebrates its 80th anniversary this year, launched a new chapter in its history with its inaugural Total Store Expo.
The National Association of Chain Drug Stores, which celebrates its 80th anniversary this year, launched a new chapter in its history with its inaugural Total Store Expo.
The event drew more than 5,700 retailers and suppliers, including, as NACDS chairman Bob Narveson pointed out in his welcoming address, 18 company chairmen, 475 with the title of president and chief executive officer, 1,300 vice presidents and senior vice presidents, and 2,600 managers and buyers.
Narveson, who is president and CEO of Thrifty White Pharmacy, was one of eight executives from that company who attended what he described as a "powerful cog in the productive machinery" of a calendar that includes the NACDS Regional Chain Conference; the NACDS RxImpact Day in Washington, D.C.; the NACDS Annual Meeting; and the NACDS Week in New York.
The Total Store Expo is part of the association’s laser-like focus on addressing its members’ priorities of advocacy, communications and effective meetings, said NACDS president and CEO Steven Anderson.
"NACDS is at a really interesting point right now," Anderson said. "And this meeting culminates a period of change — an exciting period of change. This group has the advantage of eight decades of experience. Yet it runs on the same verve and vision of the association’s first days."
The expo’s show floor, which sold out, featured 650 exhibiting companies.
Next year Total Store Expo will be held in Boston, from August 23 to August 26.
