Digital buyer journeys
What digital buyer journeys means for buyers and exhibitors in this sector.
Event overview
Overview
The National Association of Chain Drug Stores Annual Meeting is a premier event for leaders in the pharmacy and health sectors.
Scheduled for April 18-20, 2027, at The Breakers in Palm Beach, Florida, this meeting offers a unique opportunity to build strategic partnerships and gain insights into the evolving marketplace.
Attendees will include senior executives from NACDS member chains and associate member companies, ensuring valuable networking and collaboration.
TL;DR
- 1Dates and Venue: April 2027 at The Breakers, 1 South County Road, Palm Beach, Florida; the travel captures used for this listing planned around a 17-21 April 2027 arrival-to-departure window.
- 2Format: A member business meeting rather than a walk-the-aisle exhibition - chain drug retail buying teams and their supplier partners work through pre-scheduled business appointments, conference sessions and hosted evening functions across the week.
- 3Audience: CEOs, presidents and senior merchandising, marketing and pharmacy executives from NACDS member drug, food, mass and dollar retail chains, joined by associate member manufacturers, agencies and service suppliers.
- 4Sector Scope: Front-end consumer healthcare, OTC medicines, vitamins and supplements, beauty and personal care, pharmacy operations technology, clinical services and the supply chain that serves chain drug retail.
- 5Registration: Attendance is ticketed and tiered by membership type - chain member and associate member rates each cover the business program and social functions, with a spouse or companion included in the published rate.
Why visit
Attendees will benefit from expert presentations on current business and political issues, networking opportunities with industry leaders, and insights into the future of pharmacy and health. Dates and Venue: The National Association of Chain Drug Stores Annual Meeting takes place from April 18-20, 2027 at The Breakers in Palm Beach, Florida. Buyer Authority: Attendees include senior executives from NACDS member chains and associate member companies, providing significant.
Why exhibit
Exhibiting at the NACDS Annual Meeting provides companies with direct access to influential decision-makers in the pharmacy sector. Scale and Focus: This event gathers influential leaders from the pharmacy and health sectors to discuss industry trends and forge strategic partnerships. Buyer Authority: Attendees include senior executives from NACDS member chains and associate member companies, providing significant networking opportunities.
Attendees, exhibitors & solutions
Who this event is for
Visitor profile
Typical attendee groups you can expect to meet.
Chain drug retail CEOs, presidents, chief operating officers and board-level leaders
Senior vice presidents and vice presidents of merchandising, marketing and category management
Pharmacy operations directors, chief pharmacists and clinical program leads
Category buyers for OTC medicines, wellness, beauty, personal care, consumables and seasonal front-end lines
Health-and-wellness, consumer insights and shopper marketing executives from food, mass and dollar chains
Associate member supplier executives: national account directors, channel vice presidents and brand leads
Retail technology, supply chain, packaging and marketing services decision-makers serving pharmacy chains
International chain pharmacy and health retail executives attending through NACDS member networks
Exhibitor profile
Main supplier and exhibitor segments present at the show.
Consumer healthcare and OTC medicine manufacturers across analgesics, cough and cold, allergy, digestive and oral care
Vitamin, mineral, supplement and sports nutrition brands selling into drug channel planograms
Beauty, personal care and cosmetics suppliers with drug-channel or masstige distribution strategies
Pharmacy technology vendors: pharmacy management systems, automation, e-prescribing, adherence and patient engagement platforms
Distribution, third-party logistics, packaging and cold-chain providers serving chain pharmacy networks
Retail media, shopper marketing, category insights and merchandising agencies
Clinical service, diagnostics and telehealth providers partnering with retail pharmacies
General merchandise, seasonal, convenience and private-label suppliers targeting chain-level buyers
Product categories
Key solution areas showcased across the event.
OTC medicines and consumer healthcare: analgesics, cough and cold, allergy, digestive health, oral care
Vitamins, minerals, supplements and sports nutrition
Beauty and personal care: skincare, cosmetics, hair care, sun care
Pharmacy operations technology: pharmacy management systems, automation, adherence, e-prescribing
Clinical and health services delivered through retail pharmacies: immunisation, testing, counselling
Front-end general merchandise, seasonal and convenience categories
Supply chain, distribution, packaging and cold-chain solutions for chain drug retail
Retail media, shopper marketing and category insights services
Location & Facilities
Venue
The Breakers Palm Beach
1 South County Rd, Palm Beach, FL 33480
Facilities
Parking
The Breakers Palm Beach in Palm Beach typically provides on-site or adjacent visitor parking during major trade fairs; confirm daily rates, payment methods and hall access on the organiser or venue website before travel.
Food options
On-site catering
On-site diningParking: The Breakers Palm Beach in Palm Beach typically provides on-site or adjacent visitor parking during major trade fairs; confirm daily rates, payment methods and hall access on the organiser or venue website before travel.
Gate: Follow organiser signage to the main visitor entrance at The Breakers Palm Beach for badge collection; allow extra time for security screening during peak morning arrival.
Attend
Entry & tickets
General admission
Chain Member (Domestic & International) - includes spouse/companion
3300General admission
Associate Member (Domestic & International) - includes spouse/companion
6000
Who runs the show
Organisers
National Association of Chain Drug Stores (NACDS)
Intelligence
Market context
Key market insights, trends, news and related events to help you understand the bigger picture.
Palm Beach, USA
Why it matters
Attending National Association of Chain Drug Stores Annual Meeting on 2027-04-18 to 2027-04-20 in Palm Beach lets buyers and specifiers benchmark suppliers, see live demonstrations, and compress months of vendor meetings into one focused trade visit — worthwhile when your category roadmap aligns with the official exhibitor profile.
Industry trends
Key trends shaping this market and its wider industry.
Sustainability in procurement
What sustainability in procurement means for buyers and exhibitors in this sector.
Automation and labour efficiency
What automation and labour efficiency means for buyers and exhibitors in this sector.
Regional supply-chain resilience
What regional supply-chain resilience means for buyers and exhibitors in this sector.
Hybrid engagement models
What hybrid engagement models means for buyers and exhibitors in this sector.
Plan your trip
Travel & logistics
Local currency · USD
Arrival airports
Choose from the following airports, with convenient access to the event and venue.
Palm Beach International Airport
Closest airport and the simplest arrival point for the meeting; confirm current ground transport options and any venue shuttle arrangements before travel
TBA
to venue
Approx. 10-15 minutes by car or rideshare
by car
Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport
Common alternate when PBI fares are high; rental car, rideshare, or Tri-Rail and Brightline connections via West Palm Beach
TBA
to venue
Approx. 50-70 minutes by car depending on traffic
by car
Miami International Airport
Largest international gateway for long-haul arrivals; Brightline or Tri-Rail to West Palm Beach plus a short taxi is an alternative to driving
TBA
to venue
Approx. 75-95 minutes by car
by car
Hotel tiers
A range of accommodation options near the venue and across key areas.
The Breakers Palm Beach
4-star resort (on-site venue hotel)
Palm Beach island, oceanfrontThe venue hotel itself, so the meeting floor is a short walk away; amenities include outdoor pool, hot tub, fitness centre, spa, free Wi-Fi and free parking, with breakfast paid. April is peak season, so treat the rate as approximate and confirm with the property or the NACDS housing block.
The Vineta Hotel
Boutique
Palm Beach islandBoutique Palm Beach property with a 4.6 guest rating in the capture; walkable to South County Road and the venue district.
Hilton West Palm Beach
4-star
West Palm Beach downtown4.4 guest rating; breakfast, Wi-Fi and parking are paid extras; outdoor pool, fitness centre, bar and pet-friendly policy; about 10 minutes by car or rideshare to The Breakers.
Hyatt Place West Palm Beach/Downtown
3-star
West Palm Beach downtownFree breakfast and free Wi-Fi, parking paid, fitness centre, bar and restaurant, pet-friendly; the capture showed a discounted rate, so verify the April 2027 quote.
The Palm Beach Hotel Condominium
2-star
Palm Beach islandBudget option with free Wi-Fi, paid parking, outdoor pool, restaurant and golf access; walkable to The Breakers along South County Road.
Local transport
Get around the city with these convenient transport options.
Palm Tran bus
Estimated costApprox. USD 2.00 one-way Palm Tran fare; confirm the current fare and exact-change or app payment policy
Best forRoute 41 / Route 1 along South County Road and Olive Avenue toward The Breakers area
Cheapest option for the island and downtown West Palm Beach; evening frequency is limited, so plan around the daytime schedule.
Taxi
Estimated costApprox. USD 25-40 metered fare plus tip
Best forPalm Beach International Airport (PBI) to The Breakers Palm Beach
Confirm the meter or flat rate with the driver before departure; taxi ranks sit outside the PBI terminal.
Rideshare (Uber / Lyft)
Estimated costApprox. USD 18-38 for an UberX-class trip from PBI; surge pricing may apply around evening events
Best forPBI or downtown West Palm Beach hotels to The Breakers
Pickup points at PBI are signposted in the rideshare zone; confirm the pin location for The Breakers main gate.
Brightline intercity rail
Estimated costApprox. USD 15-45 one-way depending on fare class and advance purchase
Best forMiami or Fort Lauderdale to West Palm Beach station, then short taxi or rideshare to the venue
Useful if you fly into MIA or FLL; the West Palm Beach station is in the downtown district.
Tri-Rail commuter rail
Estimated costApprox. USD 5-10 one-way depending on zone
Best forMIA / FLL airport corridor to West Palm Beach Tri-Rail station, then taxi or rideshare
Budget rail option; check the timetable against your arrival time, as service is less frequent in the evening.
Walking
Estimated costFree
Best forThe Breakers to Palm Beach island hotels and Worth Avenue
The island is compact; walking works well between the venue and nearby hotels, but use a car along South County Road at night.
Parking / valet
Estimated costApprox. USD 25-50 per day for resort valet parking; municipal garages in West Palm Beach are typically lower per hour
Best forThe Breakers valet and downtown West Palm Beach public garages
On-site parking exists at The Breakers; confirm the current rate and whether meeting attendees receive a discounted validation.
taxi
Estimated costApprox. USD taxi/rideshare from FLL to venue (estimate; confirm before travel)
Best forFort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport (FLL) to The Breakers Palm Beach
Approx. 50-70 minutes by car depending on traffic; Common alternate when PBI fares are high; rental car, rideshare, or Tri-Rail and Brightline connections via West Palm Beach.
Weather
April sits at the end of Palm Beach's dry season and before the summer rainy pattern: expect warm, sunny days with daytime highs around 27-28 C (81-83 F) and overnight lows near 19-21 C (66-70 F), rainfall averaging roughly 75-80 mm across about 6-7 rain days, and rising humidity. Sea breezes make the beachfront venue comfortable, but afternoon showers can be brief and heavy. These are climatological estimates, not a forecast - check a local forecast within a week of travel.
Plan for the climate
Check temperatures and pack accordingly
Venue connectivity
US mobile networks (AT&T, T-Mobile, Verizon) provide strong coverage across Palm Beach and West Palm Beach; travellers from Europe or Asia should arrange roaming or an eSIM before arrival. The Breakers and most downtown hotels offer Wi-Fi, but confirm whether meeting-room access is included with your registration. The US uses 120 V power with type A and B plugs, so bring a suitable adapter or a dual-voltage charger.
Ride-hailing
Taxis
Public transit
Car rentals
Cultural notes
Useful information to help you have a smooth and respectful visit.
Business dress
Resort-business is the norm in Palm Beach: suits or smart separates for daytime appointments, and cocktail or black-tie-optional attire for evening receptions at The Breakers. Many venues enforce a smart-casual dress code after 6 pm.
Tipping
Tipping is expected in the United States: 18-20% at restaurants, USD 2-5 per bag for hotel bell staff, and USD 3-5 per night for housekeeping. Taxi and rideshare tips are typically added in the app.
Punctuality and appointments
Business appointments run to a tight schedule. Arrive 5-10 minutes early, keep to the allotted slot, and confirm follow-up actions before leaving the table.
Evening hospitality
Hosted receptions and hospitality suites are a core part of the meeting week, and many are run by supplier companies. Plan your evening circuit in advance and confirm invitation details with your hosts.
Local etiquette
Palm Beach is a resort town with conservative dress expectations in clubs and fine-dining rooms; beachwear stays on the beach. Service staff expect a polite, direct manner and clear tipping.
Practical guides
Visitor & Exhibitor Essentials
Everything needed to arrive prepared, navigate the event, and make the visit productive.
Flights
Destination: PBI
Google Flights captures for a 17 April 2027 arrival and 21 April return showed one-stop and nonstop economy options into West Palm Beach from JFK, ORD and LAX, with prices described as typical for the period. Fort Lauderdale (FLL) appeared as a cheaper alternate from Chicago, from about USD 183, with a 50-70 minute drive to Palm Beach. April is high season in Palm Beach, so book 6-10 weeks ahead where possible, compare PBI against FLL and MIA, and re-check baggage terms and schedule changes before ticketing. All fare figures are captures, not organiser-published prices.
Transport
Get to the venue and around the city with these options.
Airport → venue: Primary gateways: Palm Beach International Airport (PBI): Approx. 10-15 minutes by car or rideshare; Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport (FLL): Approx. 50-70 minutes by car depending on traffic; Miami International Airport (MIA): Approx. 75-95 minutes by car. Allow road or rail time to The Breakers Palm Beach; on-site parking is usually available at major exhibition venues.
Hotel → venue: Precinct hotels near The Breakers Palm Beach: Palm Beach island, oceanfront: The Breakers Palm Beach; Palm Beach island: The Vineta Hotel; West Palm Beach downtown: Hilton West Palm Beach.
Ride-hail: Uber and Lyft both operate across Palm Beach County, with designated pickup zones at Palm Beach International (PBI). Expect roughly USD 18-38 for an UberX-class trip from PBI to The Breakers, with surge pricing around evening receptions and peak arrival days. The island and downtown West Palm Beach are short rides apart; confirm the pickup pin for The Breakers main entrance, since the property has multiple gates.
Public transit: Palm Beach is served by Palm Tran buses rather than metro or rail directly to the venue. Google Maps directions from Palm Beach to The Breakers show Route 41 taking about 9 minutes, with captured departures around 3:54 pm and 6:46 am, alongside a 4-minute, 0.9-mile drive via South County Road. For regional travel, Brightline connects Miami and Fort Lauderdale to the West Palm Beach station, and Tri-Rail serves the airport corridor on a slower commuter schedule. Confirm current Palm Tran, Brightline and Tri-Rail timetables and fares before travel.
Parking: The Breakers has on-site parking and valet for guests and meeting attendees; expect resort valet rates in the region of USD 25-50 per day and confirm whether meeting attendees receive validation or a discounted rate. Downtown West Palm Beach hotels and public garages offer self-parking at lower hourly rates, but spaces fill during large events, so arrive early or use a rideshare on peak evenings.
Weather
Plan and pack for the event climate.
Month: April 2027
Temperature: Approx. 19-28 C (66-83 F): daytime highs near 27-28 C (81-83 F) and overnight lows near 19-21 C (66-70 F). These are climatological bands, not a forecast - confirm a local forecast within a week of travel.
Seasonality: April falls at the end of the dry season in Palm Beach, before the summer rainy pattern sets in. Expect mostly sunny days with occasional brief showers, rainfall averaging roughly 75-80 mm across about 6-7 rain days, and humidity starting to climb toward May. Treat rain gear as precautionary rather than essential.
Packing: Pack light business-casual layers for warm, humid spring days, plus one evening outfit for receptions at The Breakers. Bring a light rain jacket or compact umbrella for passing showers, sunglasses and high-SPF sun protection for the beachfront venue, comfortable shoes for walking between the hotel and meeting rooms, and a light wrap or blazer for heavily air-conditioned interiors.
Plan your trip
Planning
Best day to visit: Day 2 (mid-show)
Mid-show days at National Association of Chain Drug Stores Annual Meeting usually combine full exhibitor attendance with scheduled B2B meetings, before early pack-down on the final day.
T-1
Day -14: Confirm your NACDS registration tier with the association and check whether the rate includes a spouse or companion.
T-2
Day -14: Book flights into Palm Beach International (PBI); Fort Lauderdale (FLL) and Miami (MIA) are alternates if PBI fares or schedules do not fit.
T-3
Day -12: Reserve accommodation - The Breakers on site, or downtown West Palm Beach hotels roughly 10-15 minutes away.
T-4
Day -10: Request the appointment schedule and confirm which supplier partners and categories your team will meet.
T-5
Day -7: Review the meeting agenda, note session times and RSVP to hosted evening functions your team plans to attend.
T-6
Day -5: Prepare category briefing packs covering OTC, VMS, beauty, pharmacy services and any private-label programs.
T-7
Day -3: Check the Palm Beach forecast and pack resort-business daytime wear plus evening attire for The Breakers receptions.
T-8
Day -2: Confirm your airport transfer; a taxi or rideshare from PBI to the venue district takes roughly 10-15 minutes.
T-9
Day -1: Arrive, collect your badge at registration and walk the meeting floor to orient appointment locations.
T-10
Daily: Log notes and follow-up actions after each appointment block while the details are still fresh.
T-11
Departure day: Confirm checkout time and allow 20-30 minutes to reach PBI, longer during peak traffic.
Day 1
Arrive early for the opening business session and allow 30 minutes for badge pickup and seating.
Sample visitor itinerary
Route-optimised day
Day 1 · morning
Registration and hall orientation at The Breakers Palm Beach
Day 2 · core sessions
Supplier meetings and product demos
Day 3 · wrap-up
Final negotiations and follow-up
Networking spots
2National Association of Chain Drug Stores Annual Meeting registration concourse
The Breakers Palm Beach
Central meeting point before and between hall appointments during show days.
Organiser B2B lounge (if offered)
The Breakers Palm Beach
Hosted matchmaking and buyer programmes when published by the organiser.
Budget
Costs & budget
Build your working budget
Adjust the inputs below to create a directional event budget.
Estimated budget
Live estimate
- Hotel × 2 nights$230.00
- Per diem × 2$150.00
Estimated total$380.00
This is a directional estimate. Please verify live rates before booking.
Cost reference
Official cost items and estimated ranges for exhibitors.
visitor_ticket
visitor · General admission
USD 3300 / per person
organiser_published
| Item | For | Tier | Estimated range | Status | As of |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| visitor_ticket | visitor | General admission | USD 3300 / per person | organiser_published |
Decision
Visit, exhibit, or skip?
Should you go?
Use this quick check to decide whether National Association of Chain Drug Stores Annual Meeting fits your visit, exhibit or skip plan.
QUESTION 1 OF 6
What is your primary role?
Decision matrix
Compare participation options side by side to choose the best fit for your objectives.
visit
Your category focus aligns with the official product themes.
Best for
Buyers, researchers, and delegates evaluating the programme and networking value.
Min. budget
$400.00
Timeline
4-8 weeks before opening day for registration and travel.
Risks
Limited session times published - confirm agenda before booking.
exhibit
You have a clear lead-generation or launch goal for this market.
Best for
Suppliers and brands seeking qualified meetings with the event audience.
Min. budget
$2,500.00
Timeline
3-6 months for stand booking, freight, and marketing prep.
Risks
Booth pricing not published in captured sources - confirm with organiser.
skip
Programme, audience, or commercial goals do not match your plan.
Best for
Teams whose category or region fit is weak this edition.
Timeline
N/A
Risks
No major risks listed.
FAQs & glossary
Answers
Frequently asked
Where is the NACDS Annual Meeting held?
The meeting is held at The Breakers Palm Beach in Palm Beach, USA, a 4-star beachfront resort that also hosts the sessions and networking functions; the hotel appears directly in Google Hotels captures for the venue address.
Which airport should I fly into for The Breakers Palm Beach?
Palm Beach International (PBI), labelled West Palm Beach DJT in Google Flights captures, is the closest gateway, with nonstop service from New York and Chicago in the captures. Fort Lauderdale (FLL) showed up as a cheaper alternate from Chicago.
How do I get from Palm Beach hotels to The Breakers?
Island hotels on Palm Beach are walkable or a short 4-minute, 0.9 mile drive via S County Rd. From West Palm Beach downtown, local bus route 41 takes about 9 minutes per the Google Maps capture, or use a car or taxi.
What is the April weather like in Palm Beach for a conference?
April is warm spring weather with significant sun exposure and occasional showers. The captures did not confirm exact April temperatures or rainfall, so check a local forecast before packing and include light rain protection and sun protection.
Do I need a visa to attend a US trade meeting in Palm Beach?
Visa rules depend on nationality and were not confirmed by the government captures in this pack, which returned no usable results. Check the US Department of State business visitor (B-1) guidance and apply early; the organiser can typically supply an invitation letter.
Glossary
- NACDS
- The National Association of Chain Drug Stores, the US trade association that owns and runs the Annual Meeting and represents chain pharmacy and front-end retail interests.
- Chain member
- A retail pharmacy chain, food, mass or dollar retailer holding NACDS membership, which sends senior executives and buying teams to the Annual Meeting.
- Associate member
- A supplier company - manufacturer, agency or service provider - holding NACDS associate membership and registering at the associate rate to meet chain decision-makers.
- Front-end (front of store)
- The non-prescription retail floor of a pharmacy, covering OTC medicines, beauty, wellness, consumables and seasonal merchandise that is bought at chain level rather than store level.
- OTC
- Over-the-counter medicines sold without a prescription; a core front-end category reviewed in chain-supplier appointments at the meeting.
- VMS
- Vitamins, minerals and supplements, a wellness category usually merchandised next to OTC in drug chains and a regular topic in category reviews.
- Category management
- The retailer-supplier process for assorting, pricing, promoting and shelving a product category, a recurring agenda item in Annual Meeting appointments.
- Business appointment
- A pre-scheduled, chain-specific meeting between a retailer's buying team and a supplier during the meeting, replacing a conventional booth walk-up format.
- Retail media
- Advertising inventory and shopper data monetised by retailers across in-store and digital channels, an emerging area in chain pharmacy supplier partnerships.
- Clinical services
- Health services delivered in the pharmacy, such as immunisation, testing and medication counselling, which chain operators scope with supplier and technology partners.
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Also known as
Alternate names and search phrases for this event.
- National Association of Chain Drug Stores Annual Meeting 2027
- National Association of Chain Drug Stores Annual Meeting Palm Beach
- National Association 2027
- National Association Palm Beach 2027
- Chain Drug Stores Annual 2027
- Chain Drug Stores Annual Palm Beach 2027
- Meeting Palm Beach 2027
- Palm Beach USA
- Pharmacy and Health Palm Beach 2027
- Pharmacy and Health Conference Palm Beach
1 more alternate names hidden
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