Conference Preview: NCPA 2025 Annual Convention & Expo

The National Community Pharmacists Association (NCPA) is set to kick off its Annual Convention and Expo next month from October 18 to 21 at the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center in New Orleans, Louisiana.

At this year’s event, registrants will reap the benefits of daily sessions on pharmacy business education and product showcases of some of the most exciting pharmaceutical products emerging in today’s marketplace. From some of the most well-known thought leaders in community pharmacy to the partners helping pharmacies grow their business in real time, the 2025 Annual Convention promises yet another memorable consortium of pharmacy leaders.

“The NCPA Annual Convention is the premier national business show for independent pharmacists and their teams,” according to NCPA. “You won’t find another event on the calendar with the same quality peer-to-peer business-boosting education or networking opportunities.”

This year’s event is set to kick off from October 18 to 21, 2025, in New Orleans, Louisiana. | image credit: Anton Gvozdikov / stock.adobe.com

The event is slated to provide actionable insights for pharmacists and pharmacy leaders that are attending, connecting some of the most prominent industry stakeholders with community pharmacists from a variety of backgrounds and locales. However, even for those unable to travel to New Orleans to attend the meeting in-person, readers can follow along with Drug Topics’ coverage of the event.

Session Highlights

With the Drug Topics editorial team set to cover the event live on-site, check out some of the session previews and learn about the exciting developments in community pharmacy that will be covered. Here are some sessions to look out for:

Saturday, October 18

AI-Driven Pharmacy Growth: Tools, Strategies, and Industry Insights

On day 1 of this year’s meeting, NCPA has a jam-packed schedule for attendees making the trip to New Orleans. Later in the day, they will then be able to learn about a variety of important topics taking center stage in community pharmacy. One of those topics is the increasingly prominent use of artificial intelligence (AI) in health care. During this afternoon session, attendees will learn about the tools and strategies best for integrating AI assistance in pharmacy practice.

Sunday, October 19

Day 2 will feature this year’s keynote address, which will feature the likes of Marty Smith, a decorated sports journalist and author who is best known for his work with ESPN.

During Sunday’s general session, from 9:30-11:30 am, Smith will grace the stage to share lessons on leadership and provide meeting attendees with insights that can help their businesses and careers grow.

Monday, October 20

Firewall Rx: Cybersecurity Frameworks for the Modern Pharmacy

Amid the internet age that society is currently navigating, digital threats and bad actors online have raised a multitude of concerns among the public, from various law enforcement to everyday individuals. Community pharmacy is no different, and storefronts around the country are susceptible to cyberhacks and increased pressure to boost cybersecurity. Learn about the best ways for protecting the integrity of community pharmacies as the industry moves toward a more modern framework.

“The NCPA Expo Hall is also one of the most diverse in the industry, filled with companies whose products and services can help make your business more efficient and more profitable,” continued NCPA.

Aside from the exciting sessions tackling several different topic areas crucial to community pharmacy, the event will also feature the NCPA Expo Hall, where attendees can get a first look at some of the biggest players in pharmacy and pharmaceuticals, and the exciting developments they have planned for the marketplace.

Learn more about the upcoming NCPA Annual Convention and Expo at the organization’s official website. Also, stay tuned for Drug Topics’ coverage of the event, which will be available here.

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