The National Community Pharmacists Association (NCPA) has announced the keynote speakers for its 2026 Annual Convention, scheduled for October 3-6 in Kansas City, Missouri. The event, described as the premier national business gathering for independent pharmacists, will focus on practical strategies to improve operations and outcomes in the sector.
Policy and AI take center stage
The first general session, sponsored by Anda, will open the convention on the morning of October 4. It will feature a panel of Washington, D.C., policy experts discussing the potential impact of the upcoming midterm elections—just over a month away—on healthcare policy, particularly reforms targeting pharmacy benefit managers. The session will include Jim Flood, Scott Douglas, and Anne Cassity, NCPA’s senior vice president of government affairs.
Later that week, the second general session, sponsored by RedSail Technologies, will shift to artificial intelligence. Zack Kass, a former head of go-to-market at OpenAI, will deliver the keynote address on October 5. Kass previously led teams responsible for sales, partnerships, and customer success at OpenAI, helping translate the company’s research into commercial applications. He has since advised executives across industries, including Coca-Cola, Morgan Stanley, and Amgen, on scaling AI adoption.
His current work focuses on making AI accessible and actionable for businesses, governments, and individuals. The session aims to provide pharmacists with insights into how AI could reshape their operations, though the convention’s broader agenda remains centered on peer-tested strategies rather than emerging technology alone.
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A gathering for independent pharmacists
The NCPA’s annual convention typically draws thousands of independent pharmacists, pharmacy owners, and industry professionals. This year’s event will include educational programs, networking opportunities, and an expo hall featuring vendors and service providers. The association has not yet released a full schedule but expects to update its website with additional details in the coming weeks.
Media interested in covering the event can contact NCPA’s communications team for credentials. Registration for attendees is already open, though the association has not disclosed expected attendance numbers or specific workshop topics.
While AI and policy discussions often dominate headlines, the convention’s core remains practical: helping small pharmacy owners compete in an industry increasingly dominated by large chains and corporate middlemen. Kass’s appearance, in particular, reflects a growing recognition that even independent businesses may need to adapt to technological shifts—though how quickly, or at what cost, remains an open question.
The midterm elections could further complicate that calculus. If Congress flips, legislative priorities for healthcare—including long-debated PBM reforms—might stall or accelerate. For now, the NCPA appears to be hedging its bets, offering attendees a mix of immediate tactics and longer-term speculation.
