The Scottish Pharmacy Trade Show 2023 took place at The Inchyra Grange Hotel in Falkirk. The venue is ideally placed for the main motorway network, train line and the space for this outstanding event to take place.
2023 was the second year of this event and saw the exhibitors increase from 15 in the opening year to 35 exhibitors due to the popularity and feedback from those attending in 2022. We welcomed back the same exhibitors from 2022 and a host of new faces for 2023 who see real value in the format that has been developed.
Community Pharmacy in Scotland has seen significant change, and at the time of the event taking place many of the pharmacies sold by Lloyds had completed and new owners in place which allowed for these new owners, in many cases first time buyers to see what the market has to offer to enhance their pharmacies. We welcomed representation from over 400 pharmacies across Scotland & N.Ireland which sees a third of all community pharmacies in Scotland in attendance. We saw representatives from the top 10 independent pharmacy groups across Scotland to the event which a figure can’t be placed on how valuable that is in getting so many people into one room over a day long event.
2024 will provide even more opportunity for those who expanded, those who are keen to innovate and those who have settled into life as a pharmacy owner.
The Show feedback was a resounding positive around quality of those exhibiting but also those who attended. Many commenting that the smaller format is an ideal way to see many people and engage in quality conversation without the pressure of time to get round a larger number of exhibitors.
The popular NPA member forum hosted by Janice Oman was a welcome addition to the show once again. The NPA provide their members with valuable updates and insights to what is happening in the community pharmacy world. With talks from CPS and the GPHC it rounded off a fantastic forum for members that also allowed people to spend plenty of time visiting exhibitors.
The evening Social Dinner was back with a bang for 2023 and saw the evening move into a bigger room and double the attendance of 2022. The evening is designed to be an opportunity to chat, relax and enjoy a meal with the odd drink of course…many have commented it is the highlight of the day after a hards days networking. Many a deal has been completed at these dinners.
