Exhibitors Gear Up for Medtrade Spring 2006

Product innovation is on the rise in home healthcare and will be on display at the HME industry's leading mid-year event.

Atlanta, GA - February 14, 2006

Manufacturers of home medical equipment will introduce their latest products and technology at Medtrade Spring 2006, the home medical equipment industry's mid-year buying and educational event. Medtrade Spring 2006 will take place at the Las Vegas Convention Center on March 21 - 23, 2006 . The event, produced by VNU Expositions, will focus on new strategies, solutions and technologies for HME providers and other home healthcare professionals.

"The HME industry continues to create solutions for those who need healthcare products to remain independent and at home - the preferred place of care," says Art Ellis, group vice president for VNU Expositions. "From patient care equipment that enhances outcomes to health and wellness products, this year's event promises to be a platform for innovation."

Over 450 manufacturers of home medical equipment products and technologies will showcase their newest product developments, offer show specials and provide hands-on demonstrations during the Medtrade Spring 2006 Expo. The exhibit hall will be open Wednesday, March 22 from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and Thursday, March 23 from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

Drive Medical Design and Manufacturing is one of the many exhibitors that will introduce new products at Medtrade Spring. The company will showcase its new Michael Graves line and offer providers a new line of merchandising programs. Ed Link, Drive's director of marketing, says, "We view Medtrade Spring as a significant opportunity to meet with our customers to share all of Drive's new products and programs."

Medtrade Spring is also a prominent venue for providers to find solutions to their operational challenges. "CareCentric looks forward to Medtrade Spring because it is a great place to introduce or reinforce our new capabilities early in the year," says Laurie Walling, director of sales and marketing operations for CareCentric Inc. "This year, we are highlighting our business process management services, which include billing outsourcing, productivity assessments and customized consulting. As the regulatory environment becomes more complex, these services can really help HME providers keep their businesses on track." 

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

• Access Point Medical is expanding its product offering into categories and specific products, including powered mobility products.
• Altimate Medical will introduce the EasyStand Evolv Glider and the EasyStand Evolv Shadow Support Tray.
• DesignTech International will introduce a personal emergency response system called the Guardian Alert 911 that offers home medical equipment providers an opportunity to be involved in this growing market.
• Nearly Me Technologies will offer the latest style of its Nearly Me Personal Touch line of breast forms.
• Permobil will introduce a new pediatric seating system built on the Corpus Seating frame and the New Permolock, a technologically advanced lock down device for use with the C500 and C400 power bases. The Permolock features a retractable pin for better ground clearance. Permobil will also showcase the Permobil Custom Shop.
• Pride Mobility Products will introduce new lift chairs, scooters and power chairs in both the Pride and Quantum divisions. Ed McMahon, celebrity and spokesperson for Pride, will be in the company's booth on Wednesday, March 22.
• Pyramid Industries, the new corporate entity of Gel-lite/Homecare Solutions, will introduce its OmniAir battery-operated alternating pressure system and the Ultra-Care T alternating and lateral rotating mattress replacement system.
• Respironics will introduce Virtuox, a change to the way providers can obtain oximetry results. Virtuox offers instant results, unlimited downloads, access to archived data and 24/7 patient support for a low annual fee. Virtuox requires no additional hardware, works with any Internet-connected PC and is compatible with Respironics hand-held oximeters. The program is designed to meet CMS overnight oximetry testing guidelines.

"Permobil is looking forward to another successful Medtrade Spring in Las Vegas ," says Barry Steelman, marketing manager for Permobil. "This show continues to grow and the quality of leads for Permobil continues to improve every year."

In addition to all the exhibit hall has to offer, attendees can register to attend the exciting educational conference and pre-show conferences. The educational conference sessions will focus on accreditation, business management, home health, legislative and regulatory issues, mergers and acquisitions, oxygen and respiratory, rehabilitation and assistive technology, reimbursement, sales and marketing, and sleep disordered breathing. The Medtrade Spring 2006 educational conference will take place Tuesday, March 21 from 1:00 p.m. to 5:15 p.m. , Wednesday, March 22 from 7:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. and Thursday, March 23 from 8:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

Registration for the exposition is $20. The educational conference is $145, which includes all sessions and the exposition. The Continuum of Care conference and The Brutal Facts...What's Real in Reimbursement for 2006 each cost $225 and include the conference, all Medtrade Spring educational sessions and the exposition.

Medtrade Spring 2006 is being held March 21 - 23, 2006 . For more information about the event, please visit www.medtradespring.com or call (800) 933-8735. VNU Expositions' upcoming healthcare events include Medtrade 2006, scheduled for Sept. 19 - 21, 2006 , at the Georgia World Congress Center in Atlanta, Ga. , and Medtrade Spring 2007, which will be held April 24 - 26, 2007 , in Las Vegas .

VNU Expositions produces more than 50 conferences and trade shows annually for professionals in fields ranging from healthcare 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.