Let me be the first to welcome you to Atlanta and Medtrade 2009!
by Kevin Gaffney, CEM, Group Show Director

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