Medtrade Spring Exhibitors Focus On New Products For New Solutions

Home healthcare providers to see the latest in product innovation from the industry's leading manufacturers

ATLANTA - The home healthcare industry continues to seek out new products that will offer solutions for their customers and new alliances that will help increase their operational efficiencies. Preparing to offer both, Medtrade Spring 2005 will host an estimated 5,500 providers, exhibitors and distributors of home medical equipment at its annual event. Medtrade Spring, the mid-year buying event for the home healthcare industry, will take place at the Las Vegas Convention Center on April 5 – 7.

Tim Pontius, president of Young Medical/Toledo I.V. Care, and chair of the American Association for Homecare board of directors, says he looks forward to Medtrade Spring each year. "There is little that goes on in my business that I cannot discuss with someone at Medtrade Spring," says Pontius. "This year, I plan on looking for new ideas for our showroom, creative ways to minimize our inventory quantities and new product lines that will allow us to diversify from traditional payers."

According to Pontius, there is another reason to travel to Las Vegas for this important event. "Combine that with the chance to network with old friends and make some new ones—I can't think of time better spent. I would encourage every business owner to consider sending key staff members as a true investment in the future of their business," he urges.

In addition to showcasing products and services offered by close to 500 exhibiting companies, the exposition will also offer attendees the benefit of negotiating face-to-face with their suppliers.

"Exhibitors offer more than products for attendees. They offer an opportunity to promote and market product categories and attendees need to develop strategic partnerships for category management," says Jack Evans, industry consultant and president of Global Media Marketing. "Instead of simply purchasing products at a good price, attendees should negotiate for free showroom samples, co-op advertising funds, staff education and other supportive services."

Covering over 87,000 square feet of exhibit space, the exposition will include products from mobility to respiratory equipment to billing systems and store display solutions.

For this reason, Scott Purdy, CEO of Canada's MEDIchair, which has 60 franchised locations, chose to hold the company's annual conference in conjunction with Medtrade Spring. The company anticipates that 90 MEDIchair personnel will attend the event.

"MEDIchair management has attended Medtrade exhibitions since 1988 and feels that the combination of leading-edge product knowledge, education and networking has, in part, contributed to the company's success," he says. "It is our intent, by hosting our conference in conjunction with the 2005 Medtrade Spring exhibition, that a significant number of MEDIchair franchisees and key staff members will be provided an opportunity to experience all Medtrade Spring has to offer."

Some of the products and services attendees will see at the show include:

• Invacare will introduce new and enhanced products and programs to the home medical equipment industry at
• Medtrade Spring, including the new Invacare STRATOS™ portable aerosol compressor/nebulizer system, the TargIT™ seat cushion and the ProSPIN™ X4.
  
• CHAD Therapeutics' plans include educating attendees on innovative oxygen solutions by featuring its regular product line, as well as the new LOTUS™ electronic oxygen conserver and the SAGE™ oxygen therapeutic device. The company will also have a special "Go for the Green" golf promotion that will provide participants with the chance to win a PDA or portable DVD player.
  
• Graham-Field's products that will be introduced at the show include the new Lumex Mark I lift chair, the E&J Metro IC3 wheelchair, a line of bariatric patient aids and the
• WhisperLite II fully electric home care bed. In addition, Graham-Field's new 287-page catalog will be unveiled during the show. During both days of the exhibition, Graham-Field will give away two Vista IC wheelchairs.
  
• CareCentric will introduce the AC-CURA, which is a new integrated, Internet-based home care management solution for HME, rehab, infusion, home health agency, and hospice providers. The AC-CURA system offers solutions for claim management, inventory control, reporting, compliance, education and support.
  
• Mountain Aire Medical Equipment will introduce its new Tank Tote. The Tank Tote is an oxygen cylinder storage product that accommodates E, C, D and M6 size cylinders.
  
• Respironics will launch its newest pulse oxygen device, the ePOD at Medtrade Spring. The ePOD's design offers a battery life that lasts for more than two years, according to the company.
  
• Additionally, the New Product Pavilion will display the industry's latest advancements from many manufacturers.

The exhibit hall will be open Wednesday, April 6 from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and Thursday, April 7 from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

"At Medtrade Spring, providers can see the latest technological advances, negotiate the best terms, and establish effective relationships with manufacturers and distributors," says Zuzette Estevez, group show director for VNU Expositions.

Medtrade Spring 2005 is being held April 5 – 7, 2005. For more information about the event, please visit www.medtradespring.com or call (800) 933-8735. VNU Expositions' upcoming healthcare events include Medtrade 2005, scheduled for Oct. 18 – 20, 2005 at the Georgia World Congress Center in Atlanta, Ga., and Medtrade Spring 2006, which will be held March 21 – 23, 2006, in Las Vegas.

VNU Expositions produces more than 50 conferences and trade shows annually for professionals in fields ranging from health care and construction to jewelry and retail merchandising. VNU's expositions and conferences reach thousands of industry leaders each year in collaborative environments designed to inspire, inform and entertain. For more information, please visit www.vnuexpo.com.

Source: VNU Expositions