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 deck? Check out our agenda.

Something new is coming to the #NCPA2026 Expo Hall! Stop by our new how-to booths to connect one-on-one with peers and experts, ask questions, and get practical insights you can put to work in your pharmacy. 

Learn how to file a MAC appeal, maximize your med sync ROI, create additional sales with simple front-end changes, become an LTC combo shop, optimize your immunization business, and more! 

You’ll find how-to booths throughout the Expo Hall, and in the Vaccine Village Square. Be sure to stop by while the Expo Hall is open on Sunday, Oct. 4 from noon-4:30 p.m. and Monday, Oct. 5 from 9 a.m.-noon. 

Whatever your goals, add the how-to booths to your Expo Hall itinerary for real-world answers and actionable ideas from those already doing the work. Learn more. 

Make your #NCPA2026 plans official and secure your stay in Kansas City! To take advantage of exclusive discounted rates, you must register for the convention and book your housing by Sept. 11 at 5 p.m. CT. That’s about three weeks from now! This year, we’ll be at two convenient hotels: the Loews Kansas City Hotel for $269 a night and the Kansas City Marriott Downtown for $219 a night, both less than a 10-minute walk to the convention center!

There’s an extra reason to register early: Pharmacists who register by Sept. 11 will be entered into a drawing to win complimentary registration to all three of NCPA’s largest meetings in 2027 — a $2,800 value. 

Already registered? You’re already in the running. If not, secure your spot and your housing before the deadline. 

Register and book now. 

This year, we’ll be debuting NCPA+ — a new app that will help you make the most of your time at NCPA’s Annual Convention. You’ll be able to build your personalized agenda, explore sessions and exhibitors, connect with fellow attendees, and receive important event updates right at your fingertips. Stay tuned for more details on how to access the app as we get closer to #NCPA2026. 

This year’s business education is designed to help you move from the “what” to the “how.” With sessions covering the issues, opportunities, and ideas impacting community pharmacy, you and your team can build an agenda tailored to your business goals. 

Hear directly from peers who are putting these ideas into practice and walk away with real-world examples, lessons learned, and practical steps for strengthening your services, streamlining workflows, and improving your pharmacy operations. 

Explore our business education sessions. 

Additional details and session information to come. 

Good news — you have more time to participate in two exciting opportunities at #NCPA2026! The deadline has been extended to Aug. 28 to reserve your space for the Community Pharmacy Residency and Fellowship Showcase and apply for the Innovation in Community Practice Poster Symposium, both taking place Oct. 4. 

Connect your residency or fellowship program with pharmacy students interested in community practice, or share innovative ideas and practice advancements with pharmacists and student pharmacists through peer-to-peer learning. 

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

Apply now for the Community Practice Poster Symposium. 

You don't have to wait until Oct. 3 for your convention experience to start. Arrive early and join us for one (or more) of our pre-convention workshops on Oct. 1-2, where you’ll dive deeper into the topics and opportunities shaping community pharmacy. 

Whether you or your team want to take the next step toward pharmacy ownership, put AI to work in your operations, explore long-term care pharmacy at home, or expand your existing LTC services, you’ll walk away with practical guidance and strategies you can put into action back at your pharmacy. 

Secure 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. 

No trip to Kansas City is complete without some barbecue! Make a stop at Joe’s Kansas City Bar-B-Que, a local favorite serving up smoked meats, signature sandwiches, and classic sides in a one-of-a-kind setting. 

For the full experience, visit the original location, which has been serving barbecue from inside a working gas station since 1996. Whether you’re craving ribs, brisket, pulled pork, or one of Joe’s famous sandwiches, it’s a Kansas City stop worth adding to your  itinerary. 

Plan your visit to the original gas station restaurant. 

Want to know what to order before you go? We’ve got you covered. NCPA’s own Jessica Satterfield, a pharmacist, Kansas City native and certified barbecue judge, stopped by to give you the inside scoop. 

Check out her review. 

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