Kansas City Courier readers heard it first, but we’re happy to announce the keynote speakers for our two general sessions at the 2026 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.
The Annual Convention is our biggest event of the year and a must-attend for independent pharmacists and their teams looking to expand services, improve efficiency, and increase revenue — and it’s just two months away! This year, we’re focusing on the “how to” of everything, whether that’s how to set up an effective front end, navigate PBM audits, or implement compounding best practices. Across education sessions, hallway conversations, and exhibitors, you’ll leave with practical, usable knowledge on the exact steps you can take the moment you're back in the pharmacy.
For a peek at what else we’ve got planned, check out the Convention Agenda here. If you’re ready to register, click here.
If you’re looking to stay in NCPA convention housing, you must register for the convention before booking your hotel.
