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On Value-Packed APEX 2023

APEX 2023

June 15-17

JW Marriott Hill Country Resort & Spa | San Antonio

• Register Online
• Reserve Your Room
• Schedule of Events

Early registration discounts for APEX expire on March 22, so register soon to lock in savings on our value-packed conference. We've now set our preliminary schedule of events, which features 7.5 hours of independent-focused CE, a dynamic keynote speaker and an expanded exhibit hall.

Early-bird member rates for the 3-day and 2-day conference tickets are currently $275 | $225, but will rise to $350 | $275. Spouse/Partner, non-member guest and child guest tickets also rise next week, so sign up soon. You can check out all the registration options HERE.

4 CE Sessions You Can't Afford to Miss

American Pharmacies always strives to bring you continuing education at APEX that can drive a real difference in the success of your pharmacy and your profession. This year's CE lineup addresses some especially critical issues.

DSCA Compliance

The Drug Supply Chain Security Act (DSCSA) was enacted in 2013 to prevent harmful drugs from entering the supply chain, detect them if they enter the supply chain, and enable rapid response when such drugs are found. The DSCA includes requirements that pharmacies must follow to protect patients from receiving harmful drugs, such as counterfeit or other illegitimate drugs. These provisions take effect Nov. 23, 2023 and affect all retail pharmacies.

Join Josh Potter of PRS Pharmacy Services at our Friday, June 16, session that will outline your pharmacy's responsibilities under the DSCSA, how to handle adverse events covered by the act and steps you can take to ensure compliance with its provisions.

2023 Advocacy Update

As the most politically engaged and successful independent pharmacy purchasing group in the nation, American Pharmacies is deeply engaged in multiple states to drive legislation that protects independent pharmacies and their patients from PBM abuses. Join VP of Government Affairs Michael Wright on Saturday morning, June 17, for a vital update on important advocacy issues and a how APRx is engaged in multiple states and Washington, D.C., to protect your interests.

This session will also feature a panel discussion with our state and federal lobbyists, and recognition of member owners who are vital contributors to our advocacy efforts.

DIR Fees

CMS issued a final rule that eliminates PBMs' retroactive application of DIR fees in Medicare Part D, requiring that they be reflected in the negotiated price the patient pays at the pharmacy counter starting in January 2024. This creates greater transparency for patients and pharmacies, but does nothing to curb PBMs' ability to assess or increase DIR Fees at the point of sale. The possible impacts on dispensing revenue are both far-reaching and difficult to predict.

Scotty Sykes, CPA, of Sykes and Company will deliver a vital session on Friday, June 16, that covers the changes taking place in 2024, how to reduce DIR assessments against your pharmacy and how to use sound financial and accounting practices to prepare for the uncertainty of a new DIR structure that kicks in at the same time PBMs start recouping fourth-quarter DIR assessments from the previous year.

Driving Front-End Success With HME

If you have never heard NOVA founder and CEO Sue Chen speak, you are in for a treat at APEX. Sue is a bundle of boundless energy who is passionate about the power of HME products to improve lives while driving an important front-end revenue stream for independent pharmacies. Join Sue on Thursday afternoon, June 15, for an illuminating and entertaining hour on the rapidly growing HME market, opportunities for pharmacies and how HME can power the success of your pharmacy's front end. You may be worn out at the end of this 60-minute session, but we guarantee that Sue won't be!

APEX content is still under development; details on two more CE sessions will come shortly.

All Hands on Deck

for Capt. Mike Abrashoff!

Mike Abrashoff is at the heart of remarkable story of organizational transformation.  

At 36, he was selected as Commander of USS Benfold and was the most junior commanding officer in the Pacific fleet.  The challenges of this underachieving destroyer were staggering, with low morale and the highest turnover rate in the Navy. Few thought the ship could improve. Yet 12 months later it was ranked #1 in performance – using the same crew. How did Mike do it? By replacing command and control leadership with commitment and cohesion. 

The lesson was clear: Leadership matters and culture is everything. So, he focused on the one thing he could influence: his crew’s attitude, because culture is the ultimate competitive weapon for any business. 

The more Abrashoff communicated his plan to his crew plan, the better their performance. His crew eventually started calling him "Megaphone Mike," since they heard from him so often. But discipline skyrocketed because his crew believed that what they were doing was important. From achieving amazing cost savings to winning the highest gunnery score in the Pacific Fleet, Captain Abrashoff's extraordinary campaign sent shock waves through the U.S. Navy. His powerful message can help you change the course of your ship, no matter where your business challenges lie.

The NY Times best-selling author has released four books. His first, "It's Your Ship," has sold more than 1.3 million copies. In it, he details the system of management techniques he established called The Leadership Roadmap. At the core of his leadership approach on USS Benfold was a process of replacing command and control with commitment and cohesion, and by engaging the hearts, minds, and loyalties of workers - with conviction and humility: "The most important thing that a captain can do is to see the ship through the eyes of the crew." The Leadership Roadmap is a practice that empowers every individual to share the responsibility of achieving excellence.

Hear Capt. Mike Abrashoff on Friday afternoon during the APEX Opening General Session.

Your copy should address 3 key questions: Who am I writing for? (Audience) Why should they care? (Benefit) What do I want them to do here? (Call-to-Action)

Create a great offer by adding words like "free" "personalized" "complimentary" or "customized." A sense of urgency often helps readers take an action, so think about inserting phrases like "for a limited time only" or "only 7 remaining"!

This year, we're celebrating American Pharmacies' 20th anniversary and all the memories and accomplishments that entails. We'll honor our past and some key figures who have given so much to APRx and independent pharmacy in general.

We'll also have an Exhibit Hall full of 40+ carefully vetted vendors that offer products and services that can make a real difference in your business. AmerisourceBergen and American Pharmacies staff will be on hand at all times to provide support and advice on vital topics.

Online registration is now open and discounted fees are available through March 15. Discounted rates are as low as $275 for the three-day pass and $225 for two days. Because of rapidly rising costs in the conference industry, we are no longer able to include one guest in your registration fee. We have established a discounted Spouse|Partner ticket to accommodate guests in those categories.

Explore the J.W. Marriott

JW Marriott Resort Map

Explore TPC San Antonio Golf

Everything is bigger in Texas, especially the sprawling J.W. Marriott Hill Country Resort & Spa in San Antonio, the largest J.W. Marriott property in the world! A 20-minute drive north of the airport, this 1,002-room, 600-acre property is nestled in the rustic Cibolo Canyons at the edge of the Texas Hill Country, offering sweeping views of a neighboring 750-acre nature preserve.

Surrounded by majestic oak-covered hills, you can relax and enjoy two pro-quality golf courses, splash the expanded water park or just kick back and soak up the elegant Texas ranch ambiance.

The numerous pools, hot tubs, water slides and the 1,100-foot lazy river in the River Bluff Water Experience are the main reason kids love this property. It's like a major paid-admission water park, just without the paid admission. Add the largest spa in Texas, the Range Riders Kids Club, a game room, a really cool sports bar with endless giant screens and 7 top-notch restaurants and you've got the top family resort in Texas.

We've negotiated a special $269 hotel rate that's good for stays June 12-18. The additional daily resort fee covers in-room wifi, access to the water park and a 10% discount on the kids club activities.

There's More in San Antonio

If you've got the time to go off-property, you'll find thrills galore at Six Flags Fiesta Texas and SeaWorld San Antonio. Both Natural Bridge Caverns and the upscale Shops at La Cantera are just minutes from the resort. Head downtown and you'll find plenty of fine dining choices, the Old World charm of the RiverWalk and that timeless monument to Texas independence, The Alamo.

Reserve Your Room Online:

https://book.passkey.com/event/50291551/owner/1464965/home

Air & Ground Transportation

The Alamo City is served by San Antonio International Airport, which is located approximately 14 miles south of the J.W. Marriott Resort just east of U.S. Highway 281. Air service to and from San Antonio is provided by all major domestic airlines.

The hotel does not provide shuttle service to and from the airport. Taxi fare from the airport to the hotel is $45 – $50 (including tip), depending on the time of day. Standard Uber fare is $23; Lyft is $25. If you plan on visiting area attractions –– such as the downtown Riverwalk area (21 miles), Fiesta Texas (19 miles) or SeaWorld (23 miles) –– a rental car is strongly advised.

A NOTE ABOUT WEATHER: San Antonio in June generally is sunny to partly cloudy with highs in the low to mid 90s. Afternoon thunderstorms are possible. Use sunscreen and wear a hat if you spend any significant time outside.

Our 2022 Tournament kicks off early on June 15 with a fun foursome scramble at TPC San Antonio. Tee-offs start at 8 a.m. and there will be $600 in prizes.

TPC San Antonio features 36 holes designed by two of the world’s most talented and respected course architects: Pete Dye –– considered by many the most influential living course architect –– and PGA great Greg Norman.

Both the Canyons and Oaks Courses are ranked among the top 15 “Best Courses You Can Play in Texas" by Golfweek.

Slender fairways, steep bunkers and abundant oaks define Norman’s par-72, 7,435-yard AT&T Oaks Course, which hosts the PGA Tour’s Valero Texas Open. Norman incorporated the native terrain and flora of the Hill Country into the design, producing a strikingly beautiful course that challenges golfers of all skill levels.

Considerably shorter than the AT&T Oaks, course, as the name implies, provides great views of the Texas Hill Country. It’s more wide open than the Oaks Course and

not as challenging to amateurs. Either way, the scenery and golf are spectacular.

Golf fees are $120, far less than the daily TPC rates. You can pay for golf when you register for the conference. Golf tournament participation is limited to ticketed attendees only.