NPPA | National Pharmacy Purchasing Association 2026
Event Date
August 17–20, 2026
Location
Las Vegas, NV
Expected Exhibitors
61
About This Show
AI-drafted summaryThe National Pharmacy Purchasing Association (NPPA) Conference is the annual event dedicated exclusively to the pharmacy-purchasing profession. Now in its 29th year, the 2026 edition runs August 17–20 at the Horseshoe Las Vegas Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas, NV. It attracts pharmacy purchasing professionals, buyers, and GPO executives from across the country (even Alaska), along with 65 to 85 exhibiting vendor companies.
The program centers on peer-to-peer Best Buyer Practices education, offering between 8 and 12 ACPE-accredited continuing education (CE) units toward technician and pharmacist recertification—including the hard-to-find required Pharmacy Law CE hour. Attendees also gain access to an exhibit hall of pharmaceutical suppliers, an opening reception, networking, and prize giveaways.
It is worth attending because it is the only national event of its kind, giving often-overlooked pharmacy buyers a dedicated forum to learn the latest trends, compare products and services, and build supplier relationships. Roughly 35% of purchasing-professional attendees are new each year, and two meals per day are included in the registration fee.
Show Highlights
- Best Buyer Practices educational program presented by buyers on a peer-to-peer level.
- 8–12 ACPE-accredited CE units available toward technician and pharmacist re-certification, including 1 hour of the required Pharmacy Law CE and sometimes Patient/Medication Safety or Compounding CE.
- Exhibit Hall featuring 65–85 pharmaceutical companies showing products and services (Exhibit Days August 18 & 19).
- Attendee Opening Reception on August 17 with food, drinks, and sponsor prize giveaways.
- Two meals per day included in registration (breakfast and lunch), plus reception food and exhibit-hall refreshments.
- Prize giveaways in both the Exhibit Hall and Lecture Hall (winners must be current NPPA members and present).
- Co-located 340B University pre-conference event on August 17.
Attendance
Historical attendance reported by the organizer: 2025 hosted 145 attendees and 61 exhibitors; 2024 had 193 attendees and 84 exhibitors; 2023 had 198 attendees and 97 exhibitors; 2022 had 198 attendees and 107 exhibitors (reduced by the pandemic); 2021 had 134 attendees and 90 exhibitors (reduced by the pandemic); 2019 had 358 attendees and 114 exhibitors; and 2018 had 311 attendees and 108 exhibitors. The audience is made up of pharmacy purchasing professionals, buyers, and GPO executives from across the U.S., with an average of about 35% new purchasing-professional attendees each year.
Registration
Attendee registration for the 2026 NPPA Conference is open online. Register at pharmacypurchasing.com/nppa-conference-attendee-registration. Two meals per day are included in the attendee registration fee.
- Register online through the attendee registration page.
- Reserve lodging via the conference hotel blocks (Horseshoe Las Vegas or the adjacent Paris Las Vegas).
- Optionally register separately for the pre-conference 340B University event on August 17.
Questions can be directed to Info@PharmacyPurchasing.com or 888-544-NPPA (8am–4pm Pacific). Exhibitors can order space through the 2026 Exhibitor Prospectus and contact ExhibitInfo@PharmacyPurchasing.com or 858-581-6373.
History
NPPA was the first organization to conduct a national conference exclusively for the pharmacy-purchasing profession, starting in 1997—the only specialty event of its kind at the time and for over two decades since. The conference has been held in Las Vegas every year except 2020, when it was affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. The 2026 event marks the 29th Annual NPPA Conference. Attendance peaked in the pre-pandemic years (358 attendees in 2019 and 311 in 2018), with figures rebuilding in more recent editions.
Exhibitors
Exhibitor Information
Detailed exhibitor list is being compiled. Check back soon or visit the official show website for the most current information.
Last updated: July 20, 2026
Venue & Travel
Venue
Horseshoe Las Vegas Hotel & Casino
3645 S Las Vegas Blvd.
Horseshoe Las Vegas (formerly Bally's) holds NPPA's group room block in its Resort Tower rooms, which are just over 450 square feet and include a 42-inch flat-screen TV, a mini-refrigerator, and standard room amenities. The meeting rooms used for NPPA's lectures and exhibits were updated with new carpet and paint in 2022. Horseshoe's Resort Tower hotel rooms are located in the same tower as the NPPA educational CE lectures, Opening Reception, and Vendor-Exhibit Hall, making everything easily accessible from the elevator connecting to guest rooms. The hotel is in the middle of The Strip, with the Paris Hotel connected via an indoor adjoining walkway. On-site amenities include the Horseshoe Avenue mini-shopping mall and the outdoor Grand Bazaar Shops, plus multiple restaurants and bars.
Parking
Self-parking at Horseshoe for registered hotel guests costs an additional $20/day (for non-lodgers, $20/day Sunday through Wednesday and $25/day Thursday through Saturday). Platinum, Diamond, or Seven Star Caesars Rewards members park free. Valet parking is $40 daily, but free to the same Rewards members. Note that both self-parking and valet rates may increase for high-volume events or holidays.
Getting There
To get between the airport and the hotel, NPPA suggests using Lyft/Uber or taxi services, and notes a rental car generally isn't needed unless traveling off-Strip. Horseshoe hotel has a Las Vegas Monorail stop, located downstairs from the casino area near the pool at the end of the shopping mall and food court, reaching Strip destinations in under 15 minutes with trains every 4 to 8 minutes. Monorail e-ticket costs are $5.50 one-way and $13.45 for a daily unlimited pass. Southwest Airlines flies round-trip to Las Vegas from most U.S. cities, including eastern and southern regions.
Nearby Hotels
The host hotel is Horseshoe Las Vegas, where NPPA holds its room block. The negotiated rate is $79/night plus tax, with a discounted resort fee of $35/night plus tax for NPPA guests. These rates cover the dates of Sunday, August 16 through Thursday, August 20, with the $79 rate guaranteed through July 17.
- Paris Las Vegas: Located conveniently down an indoor adjoining walkway from Horseshoe, so guests don't need to venture outside — a benefit during the Las Vegas summer heat. NPPA also offers a room block option at Paris.
- Numerous additional Strip hotels are within walking distance or a short monorail/rideshare trip.
Frequently Asked Questions
When and where is the 2026 NPPA Conference?
The 29th Annual NPPA Conference takes place August 17–20, 2026, at the Horseshoe Las Vegas Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada. The attendee opening reception is August 17, with educational sessions running August 18–20 and exhibit days on August 18 and 19.
Who should attend the NPPA Conference?
The conference is designed exclusively for pharmacy purchasing professionals and buyers, along with GPO executives, from all disciplines and work settings. About 35% of purchasing-professional attendees are new to the conference each year.
How do I register for the NPPA Conference?
Attendee registration is open online through the NPPA website's attendee registration page. For questions, you can contact NPPA at Info@PharmacyPurchasing.com or 888-544-NPPA (8am–4pm Pacific).
What continuing education (CE) is offered?
Attendees can earn between 8 and 12 ACPE-accredited CE units toward technician and pharmacist re-certification, including the required 1-hour Pharmacy Law CE and sometimes Patient/Medication Safety or Compounding credits.
How can vendors exhibit at the NPPA Conference?
Exhibitor and sponsor orders are open via the 2026 Exhibitor Prospectus on the NPPA website, with exhibit days on August 18 and 19. Vendors can email ExhibitInfo@PharmacyPurchasing.com or call 858-581-6373 for details.
From the blog
Recent guides and industry insights for exhibitors and planners.
August 6, 2026Trade Show Lead Capture: What Actually Works
Why scan counts mislead, the three questions that qualify a visitor in thirty seconds, and the 48-hour follow-up window where trade show ROI is won or lost.
Read more
July 30, 2026Drayage Explained: The Trade Show Cost Nobody Warns You About
What material handling actually pays for, why it is billed per hundredweight, the surcharges that double estimates, and six decisions that genuinely reduce it.
Read more
July 23, 2026How to Choose the Right Trade Show for Your Business
Attendance numbers are close to useless on their own. Five questions that tell you whether a show will work, and how to build a portfolio instead of a list.
Read more
July 16, 2026The 12-Month Trade Show Planning Timeline
Every deadline that matters, counted backwards from show open — including the advance-order deadline that saves 20–40% and the 48-hour window that decides your ROI.
Read more
July 9, 2026Trade Show Booth Sizes Explained: 10x10 to Island
What each booth size actually gives you, the height and setback rules that catch first-timers, and how to size a booth from your staffing rather than your budget.
Read more
July 2, 2026What Does It Actually Cost to Exhibit at a Trade Show?
A line-by-line breakdown of the nine costs of exhibiting — including drayage and staff time, the two that blow up budgets and never appear in the quote.
Read more
June 10, 2026Top Trade Shows in Las Vegas in 2026
A guide to the biggest trade shows and exhibitor opportunities in Las Vegas through 2026 — dates, industries, exhibitor counts, and what each show is best for.
Read more- September 2, 2025tradeshows.fyi
Trade Shows Demystified: Your Ultimate Guide to Exhibiting, Attending, and Everything in Between
Introduction to Trade Shows Trade shows serve as significant events in various sectors, acting as a focal point
Read on tradeshows.fyi 
November 14, 2024tradeshows.fyi10 Essential Tips for Successfully Attending Trade Shows
10 Essential Tips for Attending Trade Shows Attending trade shows offers a unique platform to showcase products, network,
Read on tradeshows.fyi- November 13, 2024tradeshows.fyi
The Ultimate Trade Show Exhibitor Checklist: Planning, Preparation, and Execution
Trade Show Exhibiting Checklist Trade shows present a unique opportunity for exhibitors to showcase their products, network with
Read on tradeshows.fyi
Advertisement