Atlanta is a city of superlatives, bustling with booming businesses, the busiest airport in the world and attractions that bring in more than 18 million
Wednesday, October 1, 2003

Atlanta is a city of superlatives, bustling with booming businesses, the busiest airport in the world and attractions that bring in more than 18 million visitors each year. At Medtrade 2003, Oct. 9-11, more than 21,000 home medical equipment providers and others connected to the industry will gather in the city with the Southern accent to learn about thousands of new products and services that can help build their own business.

But if you think the show and expo will be nothing but booths and conferences, think again. While the home health industry event of the year will feature 250,000 new products, 1,000 exhibitors and 180 educational sessions on everything from accreditation and information technology to reimbursement and rehabilitation, it also offers the best networking opportunity around. And if you're looking for something to do beyond the walls of the Georgia World Congress Center, choose from an abundance of world-class restaurants, nightlife, sports venues, shopping, cultural attractions and events that make Atlanta the entertainment capital of the South.

In this special section compiled by our editors, check for some highlights of the show, including the morning daily opening sessions sponsored by HomeCare. You'll also find the inside track on where to eat, sightsee and play in Atlanta, which happens to be HomeCare's hometown. We hope you take advantage of everything you can pack into your visit. Enjoy your stay — and make the most of Medtrade 2003.

Fast Facts About Atlanta

  • 80% of the U.S. population is within a two-hour flight of Atlanta's William B. Hartsfield International Airport, the busiest passenger airport in the world.
  • Atlanta serves as world headquarters for The American Cancer Society, Boys' and Girls' Clubs of America, C.A.R.E., The Coca-Cola Co., Cox Communications, Delta Air Lines, Equifax, Georgia-Pacific, Holiday Inn Worldwide, The Home Depot, Mohawk Industries, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Rock-Tenn, SunTrust Banks, Turner Broadcasting System, United Parcel Service — and HomeCare magazine.
  • The city has the largest toll-free telephone dialing area in the world with 7,000 miles of toll-free lines (but remember to dial in the area code when you call).
  • MARTA (Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority), Atlanta's rapid rail and bus system, has 38 stations and 154 bus routes covering the city and its suburbs at a fare of $1.75.
  • With 130 retail centers, the city contains more shopping center space per capita than any other U.S. city except Chicago.
  • Sports fans cheer on MLB's Atlanta Braves; NBA's Atlanta Hawks; NFL's Atlanta Falcons; and the National Hockey League's Atlanta Thrashers.
  • There are more than 700 hotels with 88,000 rooms designed to house three million annual conventioneers.
  • There are 57 public golf courses and 54 public parks.
  • The world's largest bas-relief sculpture is carved into the side of the world's largest exposed mass of granite at Stone Mountain Park.
  • Held each Fourth of July, the city's Peachtree Road Race is the largest 10K race in the world with 55,000 runners.
  • There are more than 100 streets with the name Peachtree.

For more information about Atlanta, call the Atlanta Convention and Visitors Bureau at 404/521-6600, or visit www.atlanta.net.