Consumers Invited to Medtrade

ATLANTA — For the first time in Medtrade’s 30-year
history, the venerable trade show and expo is inviting consumers of
home medical equipment to a special session on self-advocacy and
onto the show floor to view products and visit with manufacturers.
The 2009 event will run Oct. 12-15 at the Georgia World Congress
Center.

Nielsen Business Media, the show’s producer, along with
the American Association for Homecare and manufacturers, has
invited more than 40 patient and advocacy groups to participate in
a panel discussion on the issues consumers face in obtaining access
to the products and services that allow them to live independently
at home. On Thursday, Oct. 15, designated as Consumer Advocacy Day,
event organizers will provide education and tools to those with
chronic illnesses or disabilities so they can learn more about the
industry’s advocacy efforts and how to participate. Set to
begin at 10:30 a.m. in Room B403, an interactive panel discussion
will be moderated by Georgie Blackburn, vice president of
government relations and legislative affairs for Blackburn’s,
Tarentum, Pa.

Panelists include:

• K. Eric Larson, executive director and CEO of the National
  Spinal Cord Injury Association, Rockville, Md.;
• Jeff Leonard, publisher of New Mobility, Horsham,
  Pa.;
• Tracy Nasca, founder and senior vice president of Talk About
  Sleep, Chaska, Minn.;
• Barbara Rogers, president and CEO of the National
  Emphysema/COPD Association, New York; and
• Paul Tobin, president and CEO of the United Spinal Association,
  Jackson Heights, N.Y.

After the session, attendees will be invited to browse the vast
selection of disability, mobility and respiratory products on
display and provide input to manufacturers directly.

In addition to the consumer panel and advocacy day, other
highlights at the show include:

• Stand Up for Homecare Reception: AAHomecare will host the fifth
  Stand Up for Homecare reception and fundraiser on Tuesday, Oct. 13,
  from 5:30 to 7:00 p.m. at the Georgia Aquarium. The event will
  raise money to help the campaign in efforts to spread positive,
  accurate news about the home medical equipment sector. Tickets are
  available at www.aahomecare.org or at the door.
• Keynote Session: A panel of successful providers will discuss
  competitive bidding, business line changes, retailing and overall
  business strategies in “The HME Industry: Strategies for the
  Future” on Tuesday, Oct. 13, from 9 to 10:15 a.m. in the Sidney
  Marcus Auditorium.
• NRRTS Complex Rehab Pavilion: Located in the exhibit hall, the
  NRRTS Complex Rehab Pavilion will feature a grouping of booths all
  sharing the common theme of equipment and services to meet the
  complex needs of people with disabilities who have significant
  mobility and postural deficits.
• AAHomecare’s Washington Update: The association’s Tyler Wilson,
  president, and Walt Gorski, vice president of government affairs,
  will describe current Washington challenges and opportunities for
  the HME sector in 2009 on Wednesday, Oct. 14, from 2:45 to 3:45
  p.m. in Room B314.

For more information on Medtrade, visit www.medtrade.com.