LAS VEGAS (March 1, 2016)—Manufacturer representatives from nine finalists in the biannual Innovative HME Retail Product Awards (sponsored by HomeCare) vied for the coveted top three awards on day one of Medtrade Spring at the Mandalay Bay Convention Center in Las Vegas.

The top three winners are:

1) Pride Mobility Products (Booth #130): Jazzy Air Powerchair 

2) Roscoe Healthcare/Compass Health Brands (Booth #236): Free2go Rollator 

3) Topricin (Booth #1038): Pain Relief Cream

“Caretailing is the evolution that we are looking to create,” said moderator Jim Greatorex, business development, VGM Retail Services. “The awards were too close to call, and I was impressed by the quality of the entrants. Medtrade attendees and judges made the ultimate decision.”

“For me, it’s all about the marketing materials and sales materials so my salespeople don’t have to do as much work,” added award judge Cindi Ciardo, CEO and co-owner, Knueppel Healthcare Services. “If we’re busy with other customers, people can look at the merchandising until we’re able to talk with them. Good merchandising is a hook.”

The nine finalists (in alphabetical order):

  • Drive Medical (Booth #330): Flip a Grip (Fall Prevention)—$11.99 to $15 MSRP
  • Grip Solutions (Ideas in Caretail section): Grip Lap Board—$38.95 MSRP
  • Golden Technologies (Booth #523): Nano Tek High Performance Fabric—$178 MSRP for 10 yards
  • Pride Mobility Products (Booth #130): Jazzy Air (Powerchair)—$4,299 MSRP
  • Roscoe Healthcare/Compass Health Brands (Booth #236): Free2go Rollator—$349 MSRP
  • Sonic Alert (Booth #364): Home Aware Home Alerting Solution—$229 to $1,000 MSRP
  • Swedeo Inc (Booth #242): Swede-O Heel Pain Center—$16 to $24 MSRP for individual products
  • Topricin (Booth #1038): Pain Relief Cream—$16.95 MSRP
  • Vionic (Vasyli Medical at Booth #659): Vionic Pain Free Shoes—$59 to $119 MSRP

Panelists/judges:

  • Mike Sperduti, CEO, Mike Sperduti Companies
  • Cindi Ciardo, CEO, Knueppel Healthcare Services
  • Rob Baumhover, director of retail, VGM Retail

The biannual Innovative HME Retail Product Awards (sponsored by HomeCare) is one of several opportunities to grow providers’ caretailing component. The awards honor products that are particularly suited for retail sale. “I urge Medtrade Spring attendees to visit all the manufacturers who made the top nine,” said Kevin Gaffney, group show director, Medtrade. “Also check out the Ideas in Caretail section of the show floor.” After officials from all nine finalists made their presentations, session attendees and judges voted to determine the top three winners.