Welcome back to the Kansas City Courier, your go-to guide for the latest news, can’t-miss updates, and insider tips for our 2026 Annual Convention happening on Oct. 3-6 in Kansas City.

Curious to learn more about what’s on the agenda? Check out our schedule-at-a-glance.

Breaking news! We’re happy to announce the keynote speakers for our2026 Annual Convention, set for Oct. 3-6 in Kansas City, Mo.

The First General Session, sponsored by Anda, will take place the morning of Sunday, Oct. 4. Occurring just over a month before the 2026 midterm elections, everyone will be wondering: Which party will control Congress? By how slim a margin? What are the implications for future PBM reforms? Seasoned Washington, D.C., policy experts Jim Flood and Scott Douglas will join Anne Cassity, NCPA senior vice president of government affairs, to break it all down and share their predictions.

In a new timeslot, the Second General Session, sponsored by RedSail Technologies, is being held the afternoon of Monday, Oct. 5. Hitting the stage as official keynote speaker will be Zack Kass, an adviser, researcher, and the former head of go-to-market at OpenAI. With so many questions around the effects of artificial intelligence in pharmacy (and beyond!), who better to talk with us than someone who spent more than 16 years at the forefront of artificial intelligence? Kass’ mission now is to ensure individuals, businesses, and governments are active participants in the AI-powered future by making the technology both understandable and actionable.

If we’ve piqued your interest but you haven’t yet registered for convention or our pre-convention programs, what are you waiting for? Here’s where to take action.

Congratulations to the University of Mississippi, the University of Texas at Austin, and the University of Washington on being named finalists in the 2026 Good Neighbor Pharmacy NCPA Pruitt-Schutte Student Business Plan Competition. The three teams will present their business plans in a live competition on Saturday, Oct. 3, 2026, at the NCPA Annual Convention in Kansas City. The winning team will be announced on Sunday, Oct. 4, as part of the convention’s First General Session. The Student Business Plan Competition is supported by Good Neighbor Pharmacy, Pharmacists Mutual Insurance Company, and the NCPA Foundation.

Learn more about the Student Business Plan Competition.

Returning to the convention lineup, Product Theaters offer the perfect opportunity to discover new products, services, and clinical solutions that can help strengthen your pharmacy — all while enjoying a complimentary lunch. Join us for featured sessions including Shifting to an Inhaled Corticosteroid-Containing Asthma Rescue Approach presented by AstraZeneca on Oct. 3, Closing the Adult Immunization Gap: How Pharmacy Teams Can Turn Opportunity into Impact presented by GSK on Oct. 4, and A Vaccine to Help Protect Vulnerable Populations Against the Burden of RSV presented by Pfizer on Oct. 5.

Stay tuned for additional Product Theater sessions, giving you even more opportunities to learn practical strategies you can bring back to your pharmacy.

At this year’s convention, Oct. 3-6, in Kansas City, Mo., something truly special is happening on the exhibit hall floor — and it’s all thanks to the generosity of YARAL. Located in Booth 724, the Build-A-Bear experience invites attendees to take a few moments to create something meaningful. This is more than just a fun activity — every bear built will be donated to a child receiving care at Children’s Mercy in Kansas City.

We encourage every attendee to stop by Booth 724 and be part of something bigger. With each bear created, you’re delivering more than a gift — you’re delivering a smile!

Learn more about this partnership.

Take advantage of two exciting opportunities at #NCPA2026! On Oct. 4, NCPA will host the Community Pharmacy Residency and Fellowship Showcase and the Innovation in Community Practice Poster Symposium.

The residency and fellowship showcase connects your program with pharmacy students interested in community practice, making it an ideal opportunity to recruit future residents and fellows. The poster symposium highlights innovative ideas and practice advancements from pharmacists and student pharmacists, fostering peer-to-peer learning and the exchange of real-world solutions. The deadline to participate in either event is Aug. 13.

Reserve your space of the Community Pharmacy Residency and Fellowship Showcase.

Apply now for the Community Practice Poster Symposium.

Why wait for convention to begin? Kick off your #NCPA2026 experience with one (or more) of our pre-convention workshops on Oct. 1-2 and gain practical, in-depth training from experts and peers. Whether you, or your team members, are looking to become a pharmacy owner, harness AI to improve operations, explore long-term care at home, or grow your existing LTC services, these workshops provide actionable strategies you can implement as soon as you return to your pharmacy.

Save your spot for one of our upcoming workshops.

Please note: To sign up for pre-convention courses, you must register through the convention registration process, even if you’re not attending the full convention. Separate registration fees apply.

We've made it easy to spread the word with our social media toolkit. From ready-to-use captions to eye-catching graphics, you'll find everything you need to let your network know you're heading to this year's Annual Convention. Don’t forget to tag us @commpharmacy on all platforms! Access the toolkit here.

Discover the stories, sacrifices, and global impact of World War I at the National WWI Museum and Memorial, the nation's official museum, based in Kansas City, dedicated to preserving the legacy of the Great War. Through immersive exhibits, powerful artifacts, and interactive experiences, visitors gain a deeper understanding of one of history's most significant conflicts and its lasting influence on the world today. The museum has welcomed millions of visitors, including U.S. presidents, world leaders, military officials, and notable public figures.

Get your tickets today.

Curious about who’ll be on the expo floor? See the up-to-date lineup!