During the NACDS Annual Meeting this week, one of the often-discussed trends was the need for retailers and supplier partners to collaborate for a truly positive shopping experience – one that makes consumers enjoy and value their time in the store. I thought a lot about the extent to which NACDS focuses on reflecting the chain and associate membership in this regard. Members tell us often that NACDS meetings and conferences create highly positive experiences that make them uniquely desirable and effective venues for advancing one’s business. In addition, NACDS constantly looks to reinvent itself and its events, for the good of the members.

“NACDS remains focused on keeping our events on the leading edge of member experience – just as you strive to remain on the leading edge of consumer experience.”

I want to thank everyone who made the 2017 NACDS Annual Meeting a tremendous success. Also, thank you to those who did the same at the NACDS Regional Chain Conference in February, and to those who already are thinking ahead to the NACDS Total Store Expo in August. I hope you find the extensive preparation materials to be powerful and effective, and I hope your on-site experience is second-to-none. NACDS remains focused on keeping our events on the leading edge of member experience – just as you strive to remain on the leading edge of consumer experience.

Collaboration, customer-focus, the pursuit of shared value for partners and for society, and other key themes resonated consistently from the conversations at the NACDS Annual Meeting. Through your engagement and input, thank you for helping to keep NACDS focused on the related theme of creating a highly competitive, productive and rewarding experience that constantly delivers satisfaction. In other words, thank you for helping NACDS to operate exactly the way it should: in your image.