New HME Expo to Launch in April 2009

ATLANTA–A new trade show and expo for the HME industry will
make its debut next spring.

Launched by Atlanta-based Access Business Media, whose
principals include three former Medtrade show directors, the HME
Exposition & Conference will be held April 21-23, 2009, at the
Baltimore Convention Center in Baltimore, Md.

”National competitive bidding and dwindling reimbursement
for power wheelchairs, oxygen and other core home medical products
have put the industry at a crossroads,” said Cory Smith, vice
president of marketing for Access Business Media.

“We recognize the value of producing an event that will
address the industry’s need to conduct business in a cost-contained
environment, to have sessions that provide business
strategies/solutions for a changing marketplace and to
promote/influence industry change through advocacy,”
continued Smith. “An industry event is created by
collaborating with the entire HME constituency, and we are excited
about the opportunity to serve this industry.”

According to a press release, ABM “will create advisory
councils of industry professionals focused on all facets of the
event to make decisions on issues such as event location and
timing, show format, content and other important issues related to
the needs of HME providers, manufacturers and other
stakeholders.” The company’s Web site notes it specializes in
event management, trade shows and business-to-business multi-media
communications.

Set to feature more than 250 exhibitors, the new expo
“will be a true industry event rather than just an industry
trade show,” said Kevin Bird, ABM’s vice president of sales.
“Our mission is to serve the needs of the HME industry by
connecting buyers with sellers, creating networking opportunities,
providing relevant business information in a well thought-out
conference program and promoting the HME industry to
decision-makers in Washington, D.C.”

Added Art Ellis, vice president of business development for ABM,
“The HME industry has been an overlooked and misunderstood
piece of the health care continuum for many years. We will have
pre-events designed to promote advocacy on Capitol Hill, as well as
specialty forums at the event to attract and promote interaction
between members of Congress, CMS and the HME Exposition &
Conference attendees.”

Smith served as show director of Medtrade from 2003-2004 and
Ellis from 2005-2006. Bird took the reins in July 2007 but left
Nielsen Business Media, the venerable trade show’s producer, in
March. Grayson Lutz, ABM’s vice president of operations, was
formerly operations manager for Medtrade.

For more information on the HME Expo & Conference, call
678/767-2209 or visit www.hmeexpo.com.