Futurist Peter Diamandis to Headline 2025 NACDS Total Store Expo Business Program

The National Association of Chain Drug Stores (NACDS) proudly announces that Peter Diamandis, MD, founder and executive chairman of the XPRIZE Foundation, will serve as the keynote speaker for the General Business Program at this year's NACDS Total Store Expo. Diamandis will take the stage on Sunday, Aug. 24, 2025, at 8 a.m. at the San Diego Convention Center, setting an ambitious tone for this pivotal industry gathering.

This year's Business Program is designed to ignite bold ideas and inspire future-ready leadership. "Dr. Diamandis brings the kind of forward-thinking vision that is essential as our industry faces rapid transformation and new opportunities," said NACDS President and CEO Steven C. Anderson. "His mastery of exponential technologies and his ability to translate emerging trends into actionable strategies will empower our members to lead innovation and growth across their businesses."

Diamandis, recently recognized by Fortune as one of the "World's 50 Greatest Leaders," is known for his pioneering leadership as executive founder of Singularity University and creator of Abundance360, where he guides CEOs and entrepreneurs on artificial intelligence, longevity, and disruptive thinking. Attendees can look forward to an energizing presentation that explores how exponential technologies are extending healthy human lifespans, the role of AI in the health span revolution, and the meta-trends that will define the coming decade.

The Business Program will also feature remarks from NACDS Board Chair and Walgreen Co. Senior Vice President and Chief Pharmacy Officer Rick Gates and NACDS President and CEO Steven C. Anderson. Their perspectives, combined with Diamandis' vision, will provide a comprehensive outlook on the industry's present and future.

Diamandis' entrepreneurial journey - spanning more than 25 companies in health tech, space, venture capital, and education - demonstrates the power of bold leadership and innovative thinking to deliver breakthrough results. His work launching the Ansari X PRIZE, which sparked the private spaceflight industry, serves as a model for incentivizing innovation and achieving measurable impact across sectors.

"The health and wellness industry is at a crossroads, and Dr. Diamandis' insights on leveraging technology for abundance come at exactly the right moment," Anderson continued. "His presentation will challenge our members to look beyond incremental change and seize the opportunities that can redefine how we serve patients and consumers."

Diamandis will delve into the transformative potential of artificial intelligence, robotics, biotechnology, embedded networks, nanotechnology, and human-machine interfaces - technologies that are poised to reshape society over the next 20 years. For NACDS Total Store Expo attendees, representing the largest and most influential gathering of health and wellness retailers and suppliers, these insights will be vital as they navigate a rapidly evolving marketplace that spans consumer packaged goods, over-the-counter, beauty, supply chain, asset protection, and more.

The NACDS Total Store Expo 2025 will take place from August 23 to 25, 2025, at the San Diego Convention Center. This event serves as a catalyst for progress, providing retailers and suppliers with an unparalleled platform to collaborate, exchange ideas, and drive revenue growth and operational excellence across all product categories.