Atlanta For the first time in its 20-year history, a registration fee for educational conference seminars will be charged at Medtrade '99, scheduled for Nov. 3-6 in New Orleans. It is the first year the HME industry conference will be produced under the new ownership of Bill Communications.

The fee is $149. The charge covers a three-volume set of conference handouts, show directory, buyer's guide, entrance to the keynote address and focus sessions. Exhibits-only registration is $25.

"We still feel this is cost effective," said Louis Feuer, director of education for Medtrade Management Group. "We've spoken to a lot of attendees, and there's not one complaint. They didn't understand how we did it for free."

Feuer said the new policy will provide relief to speakers who bore the costs of producing handouts at past conferences and will cover miscellaneous expenses such as audio/visual equipment. -K.G.