Strategic Exchange

The Annual Meeting provides numerous opportunities to meet and discuss strategic issues with key trading partners.

Strategic Exchange Appointments

Strategic Exchange Appointments, which are traditionally made in advance of your arrival, set the stage for profitable business initiatives implemented in part through future opportunities at the NACDS Total Store Expo.

Various venues at The Breakers will be used to support these important gatherings. Special policies regarding reservations and use are described below. Availability is limited. Please follow the procedures in acknowledging your company’s interest.

Business Appointments take place in outdoor and indoor meeting spaces. The Annual Meeting is strategically focused and adheres to a noncommercial format. NACDS prohibits the scheduling of business or social functions during official conference events. Please read the Annual Meeting Rules and Regulations in their entirety.

Please contact Jim Whitman, Sr. Vice President of the NACDS Member Programs & Services Department, at (703) 837-4610 or jwhitman@nacds.org if you have any questions concerning these policies.

Outdoor Meeting Space

Outdoor Meeting Spaces are umbrella spaces consisting of a sun umbrella, table, and chairs. Outdoor space holders may not set up product displays and/or equipment. Members who qualify for an umbrella space in 2019 will be contacted to determine their interest in retaining use of these facilities for this meeting. Past holders of Outdoor Meeting Space will be given a right of first refusal. Requests for Umbrella Space should be made through the completion of the Outdoor Space Request Form.

Indoor Meeting Space

Indoor Meeting Space includes Bungalows, Corporate Village, Gulfstream Rooms, Mediterranean Ballroom Spaces, and Mezzanine Rooms. Indoor Meeting Space holders are permitted to set up limited product displays. (SEE RULES AND REGULATIONS REGARDING INDOOR MEETING SPACE AND SHIPPING). Members who qualify for Indoor Meeting Space in 2019 will be contacted to determine their interest in retaining use of these facilities for this meeting. Past holders of Indoor Meeting Space will be given a right of first refusal. Requests for Indoor Meeting Space should be made in writing to Jim Whitman at jwhitman@nacds.org.

Freeman Service Kit

To assist in on-site logistics with Indoor Meeting space, NACDS has appointed Freeman as the official General Service Contractor. Freeman will provide logistical and handling services including dollies, pallet jacks, forklifts, crate storage and transportation. Handling and storage fees will be assessed based on the weight of the shipment(s) received and Freeman will bill the responsible Member Company accordingly.

Shipments including all crated, skidded, pad-wrapped, and uncrated shipments MUST be shipped to Freeman’s attention and the responsible Member Company will be charged material handling fees at the published rates. Freeman staff will deliver shipments to the assigned meeting space. All shipment crates must be unpacked by 5:00 p.m. each day and all empty crates will be removed from the hotel premises thereafter.

NOTE: No shipments will be delivered by Freeman to The Breakers prior to Friday, April 26, 2019.

Private Event Space

A limited amount of private event space is available during the Annual Meeting. Requests for space should be made in writing to Toni Tripi at ttripi@nacds.org and include date, time, and number of people expected to attend the event.

Rules & Regulations

Please read and familiarize yourself with the Annual Meeting Rules & Regulations prior to registering.

You grow through new experiences, and being pushed out of your comfort zone accelerates that growth... I believe you have to continually listen, learn and engage.

Mark Panzer Senior Vice President, Pharmacy and Health & Wellness, Albertsons Companies

This Partnership idea, which really is at the center of the philosophy of NACDS, you can really see that come alive now between Annual meeting and coming through at Total Store Expo.

Alex Gourlay Walgreens Boots Alliance & Walgreen Co.

We're always looking for ways to connect with our suppliers. Our meetings are great and they're productive at Annual Meeting. In addition, we meet many new people to ensure that our supplier-base grows. Any place where there is innovation, we're interested in talking.

Judy Sansone CVS Health

For us, the Annual Meeting is the one opportunity a year where you can get all the suppliers together and really cement that partnership on how we work together to make it better for customers. The reality is that Retailers can’t do it alone and Suppliers can’t do it alone.

Richard Ashworth Walgreen Co.

Register Now

It is the opportunities. It is the results. It is the relationships. It is the member service. All Chain and Associate Members in good standing with NACDS are invited to register and attend the Annual Meeting.

Strategic Exchange