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 Phoenician 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.

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.

Strategic Exchange Details

Strategic Exchange Space

Business Appointments take place in a variety of meeting spaces including Umbrella Spaces, Cabanas, Casitas, and Indoor Meeting Spaces.

Umbrella spaces consist of a sun umbrella, table, and chairs. Umbrella space holders may not set up product displays and/or equipment.  Requests for Umbrella Space should be made through the completion of the Umbrella Space Request Form.

Cabana Space holders will only be permitted to set up small displays within the interior of the Cabana. A small box of samples and literature are permitted.

Casita and Indoor Meeting Space holders are permitted to set up limited product displays. (SEE RULES AND REGULATIONS regarding Indoor Meeting Space and Shipping).

Requests for Cabanas, Casitas, and Indoor Meeting Spaces should be made in writing to Jim Whitman at jwhitman@nacds.org.

Members who qualify for Meeting Space in 2020 will be contacted to determine their interest in retaining use of these facilities for this meeting. Past Meeting Space holders will be given a right of first refusal.

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 Phoenician prior to Friday, April 24, 2020.

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 Gonzalez at tgonzalez@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.

Rules & Regulations

It’s always nice when all of the vendors get together with the suppliers and meet once a year, and it’s really efficient to be in one place at one time, and at such a beautiful resort as well. It makes it nice for timing and efficiency, it’s a good meeting place.

Valerie Jabbar The Kroger Co.

It’s a great way for us to meet with a ton of our clients because they’re all here. Last year was our first year at NACDS Annual Meeting, we had a number of great meetings, which caused us to come back this year for the 2nd time with twice as many people.

Marcel Van Der Wurff Amazon.com

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 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.

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.

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