Annual Meeting | Laboratory Products Association

2025 LPA Annual Meeting
November 2-4
Opal Sands Resort & Spa
Clearwater, FLorida

Register Here or download the pdf

We hope you can join us for the 2025 LPA Annual Meeting at the Opal Sands Resort & Spa in Clearwater, Florida from November 2-4.

Enjoy great speakers and ample opportunity for business networking, along with a day and a half of professional development, education, and inspiration. The LPA also provides optional outings to enhance the time spent in Clearwater!

Sunday morning, look forward to optional events to catch up with old friends and make new ones with an early-morning wellness beach walk sponsored by the LPA Women's Forum, annual golf tournament at Cove Cay Golf Club, and Jimbo's Jumbo Food Tour along the Clearwater waterfront from 11am-2pm. Monday evening boasts another LPA Women's Forum sponsored event, with Trivia at the start of the evening reception. A post-meeting casual get-together by the pool will begin at 1pm on Tuesday, November 4th and your first drink is on us! Guests and spouses are always welcome to attend all optional events.

SCHEDULE
Sunday, November 2
6:00- 8:00 AM LPA Women's Forum sponsored Morning Meet-Up
8:00 AM-2:00 PM Golf Tournament at Cove Cay Golf Club, (optional, off-site)
11:00 AM-2:00 PM Jimbo's Jumbo Food Tour (optional, off-site)
6:00-9:00 PM Opening Reception & Dinner

Monday, November 3
7:30-9:00 AM Open Networking Breakfast
9:00-9:15 AM Welcome and self-introductions by attendees
9:15 AM-10:45 AM Connor Lokar, ITR Economics, Domestic & Global Economic Outlook
10:45 AM-11:00 PM Break
11:00 AM-12:00 PM Hamid Ghanadan, Consumer Sentiment, The Economy, and AI—The future of selling lab products
12:00-1:30 PM Networking Lunch
1:30-2:30 PM Josh Waldman, PhD, MBA, Cleveland Research, Life Sciences Update
2:30-2:45 PM Break
2:45-3:45 PM Roundtable Program (topic, format TBD)
3:45-4:15 PM Annual Business Meeting
4:15-6:00 PM Open time
6:00-6:30 PM LPA Women's Forum Trivia at the Reception
6:00-9:00 PM Reception & Dinner

Tuesday, November 4
7:30-8:30 AM Open Networking Breakfast
8:30-10:00 AM Regulatory & Legislative Update
10:00-10:15 AM Break
10:15-11:15 AM Closing Keynote Speaker TBD
11:30 AM Meeting Adjourns
12:00-1:00 PM Pool Party (optional, on-site)

About the Speakers

Hamid Ghanadan
Founder & CEO, The Linus Group

Consumer Sentiment, The Economy, and AI—The future of selling lab products
Scientific markets are undergoing fundamental changes: Uncertainty and volatility are only increasing, trust in corporations is at an all-time low, and AI is rewriting the rules in every aspect of science and business.

Drawing on LINUS’ latest study of consumer sentiment in science and his team’s work in transforming sales and marketing strategies using psychology and AI, Hamid Ghanadan shares how scientists are changing the way they design their experiments, choose, find, buy, and use lab products and services.

In this session, Hamid will share how and why traditional sales and marketing tactics are rapidly losing efficacy and new strategies for lab products suppliers to build trust and lasting relationships with scientist as customers.

What executives will gain:
A clear, data-supported view of how scientific buyers are changing—and how to persuade them.

About Hamid
Hamid has dedicated his career to redefining the way we communicate to the life science and healthcare industries. As a biochemist turned marketer, he has a unique understanding of the thought processes of a technical mind. Using these observations, Hamid advocates for marketers to develop strategies that reflect the way a scientist or clinician thinks.

His two books, Persuading Scientists and Catalytic Experiences, bring to life the foundations for a novel method for creating effective commercial strategies, and that also make up the key methodologies the LINUS Team practices to help life science and healthcare commercial leaders thrive.

Connor Lokar
Economic Consulting Speaker
Senior Manager
ITR Economics

Domestic & Global Economic Outlook

About Connor
Few young economists present their insights with the authority, accuracy, and humor that Connor Lokar brings to the stage. From the intimate executive retreat to the standing room-only keynote, he delivers with charm and candor, rousing and enlightening all who attend his talks.

As a millennial, Connor brings a new perspective to the world of economics, delivering ITR’s industry-leading accuracy to current C-suite executives while forging connections with the next generation of business leaders.

Connor specializes in construction but consults and presents to businesses across all industries, helping them grow revenue and remain profitable through an everchanging business cycle.

Josh Waldman, phd, mba
Life Science Tools & Diagnostics Analyst, Partner
Cleveland Research Company

Life Sciences Update

About Josh
Josh is currently a Research Associate at the research firm, Cleveland Research Company (CRC) where he and his team are responsible for coverage of the Life Science, Managed Care and Ophthalmology industries. Prior to CRC, Josh held a business development position at Forest Labs (now Allergan) in addition to working with several early-stage biotech start-ups where he held both business development and benchtop research positions.

Josh holds a PhD in Biomedical Sciences with a focus on transplantation immunology, and an MBA from the University of Toledo. He completed his undergraduate work in biochemistry at Bowling Green State University. He currently lives in Pepper Pike, OH with his wife Erin and daughter Charlotte.

About the Hotel
Opal Sands Resort & Spa
430 S. Gulfview Blvd
Clearwater Beach, FL 33767
Local: 727.450.0380
RESERVE YOUR ROOM HERE
LPA Member rate is $299 per night
Resort fee has been waived
Cutoff date is October 1, 2025
Check in is 4pm; Check out is 11am

The gulf-front guest-rooms and suites invite you to savor expansive views of the shimmering Gulf. With a contemporary, beach-chic design approach featuring original pieces by master artist Christopher Still, you’ll have the perfect setting to unwind with private balconies, luxurious bedding, and upscale amenities. Nothing beats the direct access to the white sand beach that has been rated by USA Today as the “Best Beach in Florida.”

About the Optional Outings

LPA Women's Forum sponsored Morning Meet-up
Sunday, November 2, 6:00-8:00 AM
FREE!
All attendees are encouraged to participate in the LPA Women’s Forum sponsored Morning Meet-Up! Attendees will meet by the pool at 6:00 AM to walk the beach together or at your own pace, and then enjoy a beverage together from 7:00-8:00 AM.

LPA Annual Meeting Golf Tournament
Sunday, November 2, 8:00 AM - 2:00 PM
$225 (includes transportation, light breakfast, golf cart, and boxed lunch)

Cove Cay Golf Club
2612 Cove Cay Drive
Clearwater, Florida, 33760
(727) 536-1949
Shotgun start at 8:00 AM
To reserve clubs, dial 727-536-1949, ext 1 for the pro shop
Website: covecaygolf.com
Transportation will begin picking up golfers at 7:00 AM in the hotel lobby, where a light grab-and-go selection, along with coffee and tea will be available. Foursomes are made in advance; please let Angie know if you have special requests! Lunch boxes will be provided and there will be an opportunity to purchase additional snacks and beverages on the course.

Located on Tampa Bay in beautiful Clearwater, Cove Cay Golf Club is a semi-private club set among majestic trees, water features and well-protected bunkers. Although the course tips out at just under 6,100 yards, Cove Cay Golf Club is a good test with its narrow fairways, deep bunkers, and lots of doglegs. Designed by David Wallace, the course, which opened in 1972, has water that comes into play on 12 holes. There's plenty of wildlife around the course as well as bridges, ornamentals and palm trees. The signature hole is the par-5 17th, which runs alongside a bay, calling for both accuracy and length to successfully reach the hole's peninsula green. Cove Cay Golf Club has a nice variety of par 3s with the longest, the fifth, playing nearly 200 yards from the back tees. The shot plays over a pond to a green protected by two large bunkers. Cove Cay Golf Club has four sets of tees, beginning at just more than 4,200 yards. The club has a full practice range, short game area, practice bunkers and putting green

For golf club rentals at Cove Cay Golf Club, you should contact the golf shop directly. When calling, it’s helpful to provide details about your rental needs, such as the number of sets required, preferred brands, and any specific requirements.

Jimbo's Jumbo Food Tour
Sunday, November 2, 11:00 AM - 2:00 PM
$150 (Includes food and alcohol, this is a full-walking tour- please bring comfortable shoes)

Big bites, bold trivia, and quirky history collide in this fun-filled street food adventure. Uncover hidden gems and come hungry!

This walking tour begins at Pier 60 and visits several restaurants, tasting the town’s best dishes and adult beverages along the way.

LPA Women's Forum sponsored trivia
November 3, 6:00-6:30 PM
FREE
The LPA Women's Forum sponsored Trivia event will begin at 6:00 PM this year, allowing attendees to take a break after the sessions. In addition, it will be at the same place as the formal reception, making it easier on everyone and encouraging more participation!

LPA Pool Party
November 4, 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM
FREE
All attendees are invited to relax by the pool and enjoy a complimentary beverage by the pool!

Save the Dates for the 2026 LPA annual Meeting, November 1-3, 2026
The Lodge at Torrey Pines
La Jolla, California

Not sure what to expect? Click the picture below for pictures of past LPA meetings on our Facebook Page.