Medtrade Taps Bird as Show Director

ATLANTA–Nielsen Business Media, producers of Medtrade and
Medtrade Spring, announced last week that Kevin Bird will take over
operation of the events with his promotion to group show
director-health care.

Bird has been with the show organizers since 1998, and has
worked with Medtrade in various positions since 2000, most recently
as national sales director. Elizabeth Sommerville, who has been the
shows’ director since December, will join Nielsen’s hospitality
design division.

Acknowledging the HME industry’s coming changes, Bird said both
he and Medtrade are ready for the challenge. “Despite the lobbying
efforts of AAHomecare and other organizations, competitive bidding
is here, and that’s the reality … I know competitive bidding is
going to be a huge knock, but I also believe we are a strong
industry, and if you have the will to survive, you can find other
avenues to keep your business alive.”

Bird said he intends to make sure providers can find those
avenues at Medtrade, adding that the show will continue its dual
role as both a buying and educational event. “Our goal has always
been to provide the industry with an event that will give providers
the education they need as well as the ability to meet with their
manufacturers and to find out about new products on the show
floor.

“That, in a nutshell, is Medtrade, and that’s what it’s always
going to be.”

Medtrade 2007 will be held Oct. 2-4 in Orlando, Fla.