<p>The prevailing message leading up to the <a href="http://tse.nacds.org/">NACDS Total Store Expo</a>, which kicks off tomorrow in Boston, has been: preparation, preparation, preparation. NACDS Senior Vice President of Member Program and Services Jim Whitman said, “At the end of the day, it will be all about the agenda people establish for themselves, their companies and their peers on what they hope to accomplish at NACDS Total Store Expo, from the moment they arrive until the moment they depart.”</p>
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<p>The four-days of hard-charging <a href="http://tse.nacds.org/dxd/default.cshtml">sessions</a> at the singular trade show foster a highly personal way of doing business and provide a cross-industry approach that dovetails intuitively with an industry that is constantly evolving. </p>
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<p>The innovative nature of the signature conference has been garnering mainstream media attention and is featured this week in a <em>Boston Business Journal</em> <a href="http://www.bizjournals.com/boston/blog/bioflash/2014/08/waltham-firm-designing-the-drugstores-of-the.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+bizj_boston+%28Boston+Business+Journal%29&page=all">article</a> on conference exhibitor Checkpoint Systems, which will focus on RFID applications in the new “Vision 2025” attraction in the Exhibit Hall. </p>
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<p>In order for participants to maximize all the opportunities available at the appointment-based conference, NACDS put in place a variety of resources and tools on the NACDS Total Store Expo <a href="http://tse.nacds.org/">website</a>, so participants could come to the event ready to hit the ground running, with their advance work behind them and their ability to effectively position themselves for success ahead of them.</p>
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<p>NACDS-TV built on the momentum generated at last year’s conference with regular updates leading up to this year’s event with insights on several features, including the highly-rated <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zkjbo6wc1a8&index=3&list=PL9JuYV33KcfNpotvpMjuR1xhnm-opasOl">Meet the Market</a> and <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XvF3_Nja6ME&list=PL9JuYV33KcfNpotvpMjuR1xhnm-opasOl&index=5">Meet the Retailer</a> programs, and an essential pre-event “<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2chcn-YiPKY&index=1&list=PL9JuYV33KcfNpotvpMjuR1xhnm-opasOl">Know Before You Go</a>” video. Watch a full <a href="https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL9JuYV33KcfNpotvpMjuR1xhnm-opasOl">playlist</a> of videos and, beginning August 23, be sure and watch <a href="file:///C:/Users/ckrese/AppData/Local/Microsoft/Windows/Temporary%20Internet%20Files/Content.Outlook/9QHQMPBT/This%20week%20NACDS%20RxIMPACT%20hosted%206%20in-district%20pharmacy%20tours%20bringing%20the%20total%20in%202014%20to%2092:%20Rep.%20Renee%20Ellmers%20(R-NC),%20House%20Energy%20&%20Commerce%20Committee%20Member,%20toured%20a%20Siler%20City,%20NC%20Food%20Lion,%20Rep.%20Mike%20Coffman%20(R-CO)%20toured%20an%20Aurora,%20CO%20Savon%20Pharmacy,%20Rep.%20David%20Valadao%20(R-CA)%20toured%20a%20Hanford,%20CA%20Rite%20Aid,%20Rep.%20Hank%20Johnson%20(D-GA)%20toured%20a%20Conyers,%20GA%20Ingles%20Markets,%20Conyers,%20Rep.%20Thomas%20Massie%20(R-KY)%20toured%20a%20Maysville,%20KY%20Sears%20Kmart,%20and%20Senior%20District%20Advisor%20for%20Rep.%20Krysten%20Sinema%20(D-AZ)%20toured%20a%20Phoenix,%20AZ%20Osco%20Drug.">NACDS-TV</a> for ongoing daily highlights from the event.</p>
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<p>Part of being prepared is downloading the NACDS Total Store Expo <a href="http://app.core-apps.com/nacdstse2014">app</a>, which allows attendees to personalize schedules, access up-to-date conference information, search companies, personalize schedules and more. Exhibitors can also upload news releases to the <a href="http://pressroom.nacds.org/display">Online Press Room</a> and exhibitors can find information about the <a href="http://tse14.mapyourshow.com/5_0/product.cfm?">Product Showcase</a>, where new products are displayed on the trade show floor. </p>
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<p>The high-caliber <a href="http://tse.nacds.org/dxd/default.cshtml">sessions</a> at the conference include the Business Programs, where key experts provide insight on emerging issues. This year’s keynote speaker will be Dr. Ben Bernanke, former chairman of the Federal Reserve System. NACDS President & CEO Steven C. Anderson said, “When you think about who’s best to forecast the nation’s economic and business climate, Dr. Bernanke is hands-down the leading authority.”</p>
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<p>Direct input from NACDS members drove the creation of the <a href="http://tse.nacds.org/dxd/InsightSessions">Insight Sessions</a> at the event, featuring presentations by experts on a variety of key issues including healthcare, business and logistics. Highlights feature “A Prescription for Change—the Affordable Care’s Impact on Pharmacies” and the retail session, “Risk without Rewards—What Every Executive Should Know about Cyber Security,” which will examine specific areas that the retail and pharmaceutical industries should be aware of in order to better protect their businesses.</p>
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<p>The innovative format at the NACDS Total Store Expo provides business partners the ability to work productively across departments and roles with an eye toward the entire store.</p>
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<p>And now, the conference is at hand. It’s time to make and execute the plans that will deliver on the needs of consumers and pharmacy patients.</p>
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<p>Let’s do this.</p>
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