The NASP 2024 Annual Meeting & Expo is right around the corner - will you make the most of it?

The NASP (National Association of Specialty Pharmacy) Annual Meeting and Expo is one of the biggest events in specialty pharmacy, bringing together professionals from across the field to share knowledge, make connections, and discover new trends. Attending a conference like this NASP can be both exciting and overwhelming, especially if it’s your first time or you want to maximize every moment. With October less than a month away, this Nashville-based event is creeping up on all of us. 

With nearly two decades of NASP conference experience under our belts, we've gathered advice from each of D2's conference veterans on how your team can make the most of next month's event:

Jump to the summary.

Dean Erhardt, CEO & Founder

Plan ahead, but leave room for spontaneous meetings. 

"The NASP conference is packed with valuable sessions, meetings, and networking opportunities, so my top advice is to reach out to people and organizations you're interested in meeting with ahead of time. Schedules fill up quickly, and if you don’t arrange key meetings before the event, you might miss out on some important connections. But while planning is essential, you should also leave some flex time on your agenda. Conferences are dynamic, and often, the best conversations or opportunities happen unexpectedly. Allowing yourself a bit of flexibility can open doors for impromptu meetings that weren’t originally on your radar."

Quintin Jessee, Vice President of Specialty Services & Accreditation

Attend sessions and earn CEUs.

"Workshops and sessions are where the real learning happens. One of my favorites is the 2024 Specialty Medication Pipeline session, which provides great insights into new drugs that could impact your business. Whatever sessions you attend, make sure you take notes. Whether you use a notebook or a digital device, capturing those details can help you remember and apply what you’ve learned when you get back to work. Implementation is key. After the conference, I always review my notes and think about how I can use the information in my day-to-day practice. And if applicable, don’t forget to claim your CEUs for attending workshops!"

Chase Wilson, Senior Director of Compliance Services

Choose your workshops wisely.

"The NASP conference offers a wide range of workshops, so it’s important to attend workshops that align with your role or interests. There’s something for everyone, from accreditation to the latest in cell and gene therapy. You may need to pre-register for workshops, so keep an eye on that. Last year, I attended the technology session, and one thing that stuck with me was the phrase, 'Let the technology work for you, and not you work for the technology.' I use that line in almost every demo I give now. Attending workshops that fit your focus can provide valuable takeaways that you can apply long after the conference ends."

This year's NASP Workshop topics include:

• Accreditation
• Cell & Gene Therapy
• Certified Specialty Pharmacist Prep Course
• Hospital Specialty Pharmacy
• Specialty Pharmacy Law
• Technology

John Elliott, Vice President of Digital Growth

Reconnect, reflect, and have fun.

"NASP is a fantastic opportunity to reconnect with old colleagues and industry partners. You never know how you can help each other until you start those conversations again. But don’t stop there—be intentional about meeting new people as well. Introduce yourself, listen when people are talking, and show genuine interest. It may sound simple, but listening matters. You’ll often discover ways to support one another’s businesses or uncover unexpected opportunities.

Reflecting on the conversations may help you identify emerging industry trends that aren't highlighted in formal sessions as well. Oh, and don’t forget to have fun while you're at it!"

In Summary: Here are D2's top 8 tips for making the most of NASP's 2024 Annual Meeting & Expo:

1. Schedule your meetings in advance. Calendars book fast, and you don't want to miss your opportunity to make an important connection. 
2. Leave some flex time on your agenda for impromptu meetings. Sometimes the most important connections were the unexpected ones. 
3. Attend the workshops - they're worth it!
4. Look for workshops & sessions that align with your interests. When you attend sessions that align with your interests, you may leave with insights that last a lifetime.
   
5. Take good notes because implementation is key. 
6. Reconnect with old colleagues and listen well, you never know how you may be able to help each other! 
7. Be intentional about reflecting on conversations and looking for industry trends.
8. Have fun!

Meagan FowlerDirector of Specialty Pharmacy Services & Clinic Operations at UAB Medicine

"Having D2 as a consultant throughout the reaccreditation process with transitions we’ve had across our team has made reaccreditation possible."

Joe EgglerSenior Director of Payer Account Management at Fresenius Kabi USA

"We hired D2 for their industry experience and relationships and working with them has been a tremendous experience. They've put us in a better position with payers than we've ever been."