Annual Convention

Hotel Accommodations

Convention participants may make reservations at a special group rate by visiting the Marriott website or by calling Marriott reservations directly at (800) 352-0831 before 5 p.m. on Feb. 10, 2020. Be sure to mention that you are attending the MPA Annual Convention to receive the special rate of $154 per night plus tax. The hotel will not extend the group rate for reservations made after 5 p.m. on Feb. 10.

HOTEL RESERVATION ALERT! - Unauthorized housing companies have been approaching MPA members, Convention registrants and exhibitors offering hotel reservations via unauthorized or even sham websites, email communications and phone calls. These companies are in  no way affiliated with MPA and authenticity of these companies cannot be verified. To avoid being involved in a scam, please make your reservation directly through the Marriott.

Directions to the Renaissance Center

The Renaissance Center is located at the intersection of Jefferson Ave. and Beaubien St. in Downtown Detroit. The Marriott Hotel lobby entrance is located on the west side of the Renaissance Center. For easy GPS vehicle navigation, enter the Beaubien Place Parking Garage address: 238 Beaubien St., Detroit.

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From the North

• Take I-75 South to I-375 to Jefferson Ave. West (toward downtown) and merge to the center left lane.
• Turn left on to Beaubien St.
• For hotel self-parking, follow signs to Beaubien Place Parking Garage on left just prior to reaching Atwater (along Detroit River).
• To valet park, continue on Beaubien and turn right at Atwater.
• Turn right at W. Renaissance Drive.
• The hotel entrance is immediately on the right.

From the South

• Take I-75 North to M-10/John C. Lodge Highway to Civic Center, which turns into Jefferson Ave.
• Go past the Renaissance Center and turn right at Beaubien St.
• For hotel self-parking, follow signs to Beaubien Place Parking Garage on left just prior to reaching Atwater (along Detroit River).
• To valet park, continue on Beaubien and turn right at Atwater.
• Turn right at W. Renaissance Drive.
• The hotel entrance is immediately on the right.

From the East

• Take I-94 W to I-75 South to I-375.
• Take Jefferson Ave. West (toward downtown) and merge to the center left lane.
• Turn left on to Beaubien St.
• For hotel self-parking, follow signs to Beaubien Place Parking Garage on left just prior to reaching Atwater (along Detroit River).
• To valet park, continue on Beaubien and turn right at Atwater
• Turn right at W. Renaissance Drive.
• The hotel entrance is immediately on the right.

From the West

• Take I-96 E or I-94 E into Detroit. Follow M-10/John C. Lodge Highway south towards the Civic Center. This will become Jefferson Ave.; proceed east on Jefferson approximately a quarter mile.
• Go past the Renaissance Center and turn right at Beaubien St.
• For hotel self-parking, follow signs to Beaubien Place Parking Garage on left just prior to reaching Atwater (along Detroit River).
• To valet park, continue on Beaubien and turn right at Atwater. Then, turn right at W. Renaissance Drive.
• The hotel entrance is immediately on the right.

Parking at the Renaissance Center

There are a variety of parking options for Convention attendees, including valet parking and three parking garages that are connected to the Renaissance Center with convenient covered walkways. Visit the Renaissance Center website at GMRenCen.com/parking-and-valet for additional parking information.

SCHEDULE OF EVENTS

A tentative schedule of events can be found here.

ACTIVITIES

In addition to providing valuable opportunities for pharmacy professionals to earn CE, the Convention features the following special events and programs:

Consultant and Specialty Pharmacists of Michigan (CPSM) Annual Meeting and Luncheon
CSPM holds its Annual Meeting and Luncheon on Saturday during the Convention. CPSM members are invited to network, honor the Society's Pharmacist of the Year and outgoing Board members, and more.

Exhibit Hall
Network with different organizations in the Exhibit Hall! Learn about the latest products and services, enjoy entertainment and refreshments, and establish connections with representatives to further your business.

House of Delegates Session
The MPA House of Delegates is the policy-forming body of the Association. At each Annual Convention & Exposition, the House of Delegates convenes to discuss proposed policy changes and review the MPA Bylaws. After discussion and vote on any proposed changes, those resolutions are directed to the MPA Executive Board for review and recommendation. Several awards are also presented during the House Session and special reports are presented.

Keynote and Opening Sessions
The Keynote and Opening Sessions at the Annual Convention, typically held Friday morning and Saturday morning each year, draw a large crowd of attendees. MPA seeks out nationally-known speakers to present on key issues impacting the profession.

Local Association Leadership Program
Local association leaders are invited to a program held during the Convention, typically a breakfast or lunch that focuses on issues important to their organization such as compliance, Internal Revenue Service requirements, member recruitment and more.

Michigan Pharmacy Foundation (MPF) Continental Breakfast
Participants can purchase coffee and pastries for all three days of the Convention or individual days. Proceeds support Foundation initiatives, including leadership programs for pharmacy practitioners, scholarships for students pharmacists and grant funding for projects that improve health outcomes.

MPA Product Store
The Association offers pins, shirts, publications and more in the MPA Product Store at the Convention. Special Convention pricing is generally offered, so attendees are encouraged to take advantage of discounts!

MPF Charity Auction
Bid on items in the MPF Charity Auction, including valuable autographed memorabilia, historical pharmacy items, jewelry, art and much more! The auction also offers a Buy It Now option for attendees unable to stay all weekend, or for those "must have" items.

Michigan Pharmacy PAC Luncheon
Join Michigan Pharmacy PAC for this annual luncheon to honor elected officials and Association members who have contributed to the advancement of pharmacy and supported good public health policy.

Michigan Society of Community Pharmacists (MSCP) Annual Meeting and Luncheon
MSCP holds its Annual Meeting and Luncheon on Saturday during the Convention. MSCP members are invited to network, honor the Society's Pharmacist of the Year and outgoing Board members, and more.

Michigan Society of Health-System Pharmacists (MSHP) Delegate Caucus Breakfast
MSHP holds a delegate caucus breakfast on Sunday for those serving as regional representatives and MSHP delegates to the MPA House. The purpose of this meeting is to discuss the resolutions, bylaw amendments and Society issues related to the House of Delegates in preparation for the House Session held on Sunday during the Convention.

Michigan Society of Pharmacy Technicians (MSPT) Annual Meeting and Luncheon
MSPT holds its Annual Meeting and Luncheon on Saturday during the Convention. MSPT members are invited to network; honor the MSPT Pharmacy Technician of the Year, Service Award winner and outgoing Board members; and more.

MSHP Student Pharmacist Luncheon
MSHP sponsors a luncheon for student pharmacists at the Convention each year on Saturday afternoon. Students are invited to network with other up-and-coming pharmacists from the three Michigan colleges and a pharmacy leader is placed at each table to allow attendees to interact with an experienced practitioner.

National Alliance of State Pharmacy Associations (NASPA)-Nonprescription Medicines Academy (NMA) Student Pharmacist Self-care Championship
Student pharmacists representing each college of pharmacy participate in a Jeopardy-like competition testing their knowledge of over-the-counter products. The program becomes interactive when student pharmacists use their “ask the audience” lifelines if they become stumped. Convention attendees are encouraged to support their college of pharmacy and see who wins the traveling trophy each year.

Past President Breakfast
Past presidents of the Association are invited to a breakfast on Sunday morning during the Convention each year to reminisce and strategize about the Association and pharmacy.

Pre-banquet Reception and Annual Banquet & Awards Ceremony
On Saturday evening, all Convention attendees are invited to a pre-banquet reception to mingle with other pharmacy professionals as well as the MPA Executive Board. Following the reception, the Annual Banquet & Awards Ceremony is held to formally inaugurate the incoming MPA President as well as honor Michigan leaders in pharmacy with various awards.

PROCESS TO CLAIM CONTINUING EDUCATION CREDIT

Michigan Pharmacists Association is once again using Lecture Panda that will allow participants to easily complete program evaluations and posttests online, as well as obtain program handouts. Specific instruction on how to earn credit and obtain handout material will be posted here at a later date.