Orlando, Fla.

An estimated 24,700 home medical equipment providers and exhibitors from around the world gathered in central Florida last month for the 21st Annual Medtrade Exposition and Conference. But while show organizers report that attendance was up from last year, the number of exhibiting companies was less than 1,100, compared with approximately 1,200 last year.

Held Oct. 3-5 at the Orange County Convention Center, the event was reduced from four days to three this year. Some providers might have felt rushed to complete their business transactions, but show officials said the change was made to stimulate business at the show.

"Going to a three-day show created a sense of urgency with the attendees to stay on the show floor and get their business accomplished rather than leave the show and come back and forth," said Alisa Derryberry, marketing manager for the show's producer, VNU Expositions, Atlanta. "So while the attendees may say they have to work a little harder, overall it had a positive effect."

While previous Medtrade shows started Wednesday and ended Saturday, this year's show was also changed to run Tuesday through Thursday - prompting some complaints from providers who said it disrupted their ability to run their businesses.

"I found that the Tuesday start was a little bit too early for us because it didn't allow us the time to really prepare to get away," said Nafe Alick, president, Alicks Home Medical, Elkhart, Ind. "I think with the other format you can be relatively effective in the office Monday and Tuesday. So I prefer the old format."

Overall, however, exhibitors and attendees seemed to come away from the show with positive impressions.

"We had a terrific show here in Orlando," said John Miclot, president of Respironics' home care division. "We were generally pleased with booth traffic, and we met our objectives here in terms of the kind of business that we would have liked to have seen done here."

Medtrade 2001 will be held Oct. 23-25 at the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center in New Orleans.