Medtrade 2008 Expo to Feature New Products, Solutions for HME Industry

Atlanta—September 11, 2008

New products, advanced technologies and creative solutions for improving business practices will distinguish Medtrade 2008 as the leading event in the home medical equipment industry. Medtrade 2008 will take place October 27 – 30 at the Georgia World Congress Center in Atlanta and is produced by Nielsen Business Media, a division of The Nielsen Company, and is endorsed by the American Association for Homecare.

The 2008 Expo will consist of more than 180,000 square feet of exhibit space and will feature 600 exhibiting companies, including over 100 who are participating for the first time, indicating the increased interest in products that are designed to improve patient care and quality outcomes.

The Expo will open on Tuesday, October 28 at 10:00 a.m., following the keynote address, “Challenges and Opportunities Ahead – The State of the HME Industry.” Event hours are: October 28 and 29 from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and October 30 from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

“The amount of new products and technologies that are being created for the HME industry are indicative of the growing number of people who rely on and prefer home care to enhance their quality of life through increased independence,” says Kevin Gaffney, CEM, group show director, Nielsen Business Media. “Fortunately, the Medtrade Expo offers a one-stop shop for HME providers who are looking to expand product lines, enhance manufacturer relationships and create new business growth opportunities.”

The VGM Group has designated Medtrade as the forum for launching new products and services for its members from all its divisions, including: multi-media updates for online education; a new vendor catalog; a comprehensive fraud and abuse initiative; a Spanish version of the company’s “Know Your Options” guide, which is an educational resource for referral sources and customers; vehicle financing from VGM Financial Services; VGM Pro, a CPAP resupply program; online credentialing exam, training and marketing materials for U.S. Rehab’s C.E.A.C. certification program; and a new resource center, search engine placement tool, and an e-commerce solution in partnership with Invacare Corp.’s Supply Group.

“VGM has always been a strong supporter of Medtrade and we believe it is important for us, providers and manufacturers to be there and participate,” says Jim Phillips, COO, The VGM Group, Waterloo, Iowa. “We are facing many legislative issues and any time this many of our members and other industry participants come together, it moves the cause further. Additionally, Medtrade offers new products and innovative ways for providers to increase business and enhance the care they provide to their patients.”

Over 12,000 industry professionals are expected to attend the 2008 event. Exhibitors say these attendees are looking for the solutions they need to remain solvent.

“What we have seen from the last few Medtrade events is that providers have made their minds up to stay in this business and do whatever it takes to survive,” says Bently Goodwin, CEO of RemitDATA, Memphis. “To that end, providers have been looking for any way possible to lower their cost of doing business and increase staff efficiency.”

At Medtrade 2008, RemitDATA will offer its Reimbursement PRO and WebScan PRO systems and will introduce Contract Manager, which allows providers to instantly manage remittances for adherence to contracted payment rates.

The effects of reimbursement have been felt throughout the industry, urging providers to look for innovative ways of taking care of patients while maintaining their profits.

“One of the main areas of concentration that Pride Mobility Products and Quantum Rehab will be focused on during Medtrade will be to assist and support our providers as they plan for the challenges they will face with the impending 9.5 percent fee schedule reduction in power wheel chairs,” says Kirsten DeLay, senior vice president Sales Management and Operational Planning for Pride Mobility Products, Exeter, Pa. “Additionally, we also will be discussing strategies our providers should implement in order to remain profitable in this challenging environment.”

Pride Mobility Products will offer several of its Pride and Quantum products that deliver high quality and reliability and help to minimize providers’ backend service and warranty calls, including the new Q614, Q6000Z, J614, J614HD and Jazzy Select Series, high performing products that will assist providers with maximizing their profitability in the face of a 9.5 percent allowable reduction. The retail focus of the booth is about providers diversifying their sales strategy to maximize on all mobility needs of beneficiaries with whom they interact.

The company’s strategy will also highlight its retail mobility focus as it showcases products in the Pride Victory and Go-Go Elite Traveller Series; Pride’s Silver Star Lifts and Ramps including the Backpacker MV and Full Platform Exterior Lift; and, the Elegance Collection of lift chairs featuring new fabric options.

The Medtrade 2008 Expo will also provide a forum for networking and an open exchange of ideas.

“Medtrade is the number one source for launching new products and programs,” says Ron Richard, CEO of San Diego-based SeQual Technologies. “Likewise, it offers an opportunity for creating relationships that are necessary as the industry faces a number of changes.”

To enhance the networking experience of attendees and exhibitors, for the first time, Medtrade announces its Oktoberfest Celebration will take place on the show floor on Tuesday and Wednesday afternoons from 3:30 - 5:00 p.m. This free event will allow attendees to network with colleagues and exhibitors. In conjunction with Oktoberfest, Medtrade will make a donation to the Atlanta-based Shepherd Center, one of the country's most prestigious rehab facilities.

The Expo also will offer attendees the opportunity to meet with their state associations through Medtrade’s State Association Program, which provides space in the State Association Pavilion.

“Medtrade supports the efforts of the state associations and their commitment to the industry. We encourage all attendees to visit the Pavilion and find out how they can get involved at a state or regional level,” says Gaffney.

Medtrade 2008 will take place Oct. 27 – 30 at the Georgia World Congress Center in Atlanta. Medtrade Spring 2009 will take place at the Las Vegas Convention Center March 24 – 26. For more information about the events, please visit medtrade.com or call (800) 933-8735.

Medtrade and Medtrade Spring are produced by Nielsen Business Media. Nielsen Business Media is a leading market-focused provider of integrated information and sales and marketing solutions, helping businesses go to market more effectively and efficiently.

Serving seven major market groups, and 30 industries, spanning the entertainment, media and marketing, retail, travel and performance, design, and life sciences industries, Nielsen Business Media provides business-to-business products and services in print, online and in person. With 42 publications, over 60 trade shows and 185 digital products and services, Nielsen Business Media offers insight, analysis and face-to-face contacts to help professionals better understand their markets, serve their customers and grow their businesses. For more information, please visit nielsen.com.