Let me be the first to welcome you to Atlanta and Medtrade 2009! Both HomeCare and Medtrade have a rich history in the home medical equipment industry. As we celebrate the 30th anniversary of Medtrade, we are confident you will find new solutions that will enable your business to thrive. Likewise, for 31 years, HME professionals have relied on HomeCare as the magazine to turn to for insight into the industry and for concrete information on how to grow their business and serve their clients and we are honored that it is the official publication of Medtrade.
The HME industry continues to face enormous hurdles on many regulatory fronts and the possibility of total health care reform looms in our not-too-distant future. Medtrade is dedicated to providing you and your business with a premier forum to discuss issues, solve problems and come together as one united industry.
There is so much this year's event has to offer. Both the educational conference and the Expo have been planned to enhance your experience and provide you with new ideas, new products and new ways of doing business.
Each year, the pre-show conferences have been a success. This year, in addition to the ever-popular Continuum of Care and Reimbursement conferences offered by the American Association for Homecare, we are pleased to offer additional opportunities through our partnerships with The VGM Group, Quantum Rehab and Sigvaris.
Education is the basis of success and the Medtrade education conference is sure to have something for you. Over 120 sessions will be presented by the industry's leading experts who will provide on-target information and strategies to strengthen your business. Also, be sure to also check out the newly added "Hot Topics" track for timely updates on all the latest issues.
To kick off this year's event, Medtrade will present Strategies for the Future, a keynote session that will take place Tuesday, October 13 from 9:15-10:15 a.m. in the Sydney Marcus Auditorium. The panel discussion will feature well-known HME providers who will discuss issues pertinent to your business and future success. The keynote panel is open to all attendees and exhibitors and will focus on the strategies necessary for success and growth in 2010 and beyond.
The products you provide offer life-changing results to those you serve. I want to thank all of Medtrade's exhibiting companies and sponsors for their support of this year's event. Don't miss the fantastic opportunity to meet with the leading manufacturers of HME products and services that are participating in the Medtrade Expo.
Please be sure to join us at the complimentary Medtrade Oktoberfest reception on Tuesday afternoon from 4:00 to 5:00 p.m. on the show floor. This is a great time to make new business relationships, strengthen current relationships and have fun. I would like to thank our Diamond Sponsor, Infopia, for its support of this event.
Thank you for attending Medtrade 2009. The industry has made great strides over the last 30 years in providing the best access and products to the millions of Americans who depend on it to remain independent and healthy in their own homes. Medtrade, through our partnership with AAHomecare, is committed to supporting the industry and the good work you do.
I look forward to welcoming you to Atlanta and all Medtrade has to offer.
Best regards,
Kevin Gaffney, CEM
Group Show Director
PS. Have any ideas on how to make Medtrade even better? I welcome your feedback. kevin.gaffney@nielsen.com
