Medtrade Spring Planner

In the spring, the HME industry’s fancy lightly turns to thoughts of … Vegas, baby! Medtrade Spring 2004 gets under way March 16-18, with a host of products you need to see and information you need to know to sail your business safely through challenging times.

The expo and buying event offers 75 educational sessions and 450 exhibitors at the Las Vegas Convention Center. The show provides an informal opportunity to connect with HME peers and learn the tools necessary to survive the imminent changes brought on by recent Medicare legislation. But Medtrade isn’t all business. On the following pages, you’ll find important schedules and hip post-show activities to help cool your heels after a long day on the show floor.

Monorail

Step outside the Convention Center and crane your neck. That’s the Las Vegas monorail rising 70 feet above the building. For the past 14 years, residents and visitors have been anticipating the completion of this $650 million marvel of public transportation, and at this year’s Medtrade, you’ll have the opportunity to hop onboard, too. Scheduled to make its maiden voyage in March, the driverless train travels at a top speed of 50 miles per hour and connects eight major resorts, including the Las Vegas Hilton, the MGM Grand, Bally’s and Caesar’s Palace. Plans are already underway to expand the monorail’s route to reach the downtown Fremont Street Experience as well as McCarran International Airport. One-way fares are $3, and a roundtrip ticket costs $5.50. Ride all day for $10.

Fiamma Trattoria

This stylish eatery at the MGM Grand is a West Coast doppelganger of the New York-based restaurant, Fiamma Osteria. New York restaurateur Stephen Hanson launched the western version of Fiamma, “flame” in Italian, to rave reviews. Accolades include a three-star review from the New York Times, and Esquire magazine even named head chef Michael White its Chef of the Year. Residents are calling it “SoHo on the Strip.” The menu is noted for a unique interpretation of Italian cuisine, and the complementary wine list offers 400 selections. For reservations, call 702/891-7600.

Cirque du Soleil

Part street performance, part Dr. Seuss-inspired acrobatic odyssey, Cirque du Soleil’s “Mystere” has been packing them into its custom-built theater at Treasure Island for the past 10 years. Although it’s not the newest thing on the Strip, Cirque du Soleil calls “Mystere” its signature show, so if you’re a Cirque novice, this is a good place to cut your teeth. The show’s famous performances include the Aerial Cube performed by Paul Bowler, the Alexis brothers’ hand-to-hand act and an aerial high-bar act performed by gymnasts and acrobats throughout the theater. A new Cirque production is expected to debut at the MGM Grand in 2004, but the name has not been released yet. Tickets to “Mystere” are $95 each with curtain times at 7:30 p.m. and 10:30 p.m. Friday through Tuesday. For more information or to purchase tickets, call 800/392-1999.

The Fashion Show Mall and the Forum Shops at Caesar’s Palace

If you want to take a break from the typical Vegas fare, or if you’ve got a gold card burning a hole in your pocket, peruse the 250 shops and restaurants in the Fashion Show Mall at 3200 Las Vegas Boulevard. The Fashion Show Mall features the Cloud, a 480-foot-long, 128-foot-high steel structure that hovers above a 72,000-square-foot plaza facing the strip and provides shade to passers by. The mall currently is undergoing a $1 billion expansion.

Although many Italian names grace the Forum Shops’ storefronts — Gucci, Versace and Escada — a less modern effect is achieved by re-creating the streets, and even the weather, of ancient Rome. In case you’re developing that very Vegas disease of not knowing what time of day it is, the simulated sky above the Forum Shops changes color as the clock rolls from morning, high noon and on to twilight and dusk. The shops are going through a $139 million expansion in 2004. Located inside Caesar’s Palace, 3500 Las Vegas Boulevard South.

Star Trek: The Experience

If you know what a tribble is or if you can order dinner in Klingon, you might be a Star Trek fan, which means Star Trek: The Experience was made for you. Located in the Las Vegas Hilton, adjacent to the Convention Center, the Star Trek Experience leads visitors through an interactive, futuristic world that begins in the Transporter Room, where guests are beamed onboard the Starship Enterprise. Be sure to check out the History of the Future exhibit, displaying more than 200 costumes, weapons, makeup and special effects used in the television series and movies.

If you’re not a Trek fan but are wondering who all those characters are lined up outside the Hilton, rest assured, this is not an invasion. The BORG Ball is being held 12 a.m. to 3 a.m., March 18, to kick off BORG Invasion 4D, the Star Trek Experience’s newest multi-million-dollar virtual reality attraction. If you think you’ll need a big break from the reality of Medtrade, visit www.startrekexo.com to check ticket availability. The $299 tickets include unlimited access to the attraction for three hours, dining, drinks, dancing, a commemorative picture and limited-edition BORG Invasion 4D T-shirt. The attraction opens to the public at 11 a.m. March 18. Be warned: The Hilton is expecting its BORG Ball guests to be dressed appropriately.

Conference Schedule

Monday, March 15

Tuesday, March 16

1:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Accreditation Summit

1:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.
AAHomecare Golf Classic

5:00 p.m. – 6:30 p.m.
Party by the Pool

Wednesday, March 17

8:30 a.m. – 9:30 a.m.
Educational Sessions

8:30 a.m. – 10:30 a.m.
Trading Spaces, HME Style

9:45 a.m. – 10:45 a.m.
Educational Sessions

10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Exhibits

11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Educational Sessions

5:15 p.m. – 6:15 p.m.
AAHomecare’s Washington Update

Thursday, March 18

9:15 a.m. – 10:15 a.m.
Educational Sessions

10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Exhibits

10:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.
Educational Sessions

Medtrade Bookends

Here’s an overview of events taking place before and after “official” show dates

Monday, March 15

Billing and Sales Bootcamp 9 a.m. to 4:15 p.m.

Shape up your business in this all-day session, designed to foster inter-departmental harmony between billing and sales staffs. Presenters Jane Bunch and Louis Feuer will offer advice on the importance of these departments working together to build revenues, emphasizing how crucial it is to step out of your comfort zone to walk a mile in your co-workers’ shoes. Learn the ins of selling to referral sources and making sure your customers know what is important to you. Register online at www.jbcservices.com or call 678/445-1221.

Tuesday, March 16

Medtrade Spring Continuum of Care 8 a.m. to 12:15 p.m.

The American Association for Homecare presents this third annual conference providing the latest lessons in protocol to practitioners, clinicians and therapists. This year’s workshops will tackle respiratory therapy, orthotic and prosthetic fitting, rehabilitation, assistive technology and home health nursing. Contact Terri Judd or Kim Kianka-Roberti at AAHomecare at 703/836-6263.

Accreditation Summit 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.

AA Homecare walks attendees through the steps necessary to manage the accreditation process and differentiate your business from competitors. Compare accreditation organizations, including ACHC, CHAP and JCAHO, and determine which one offers you the most benefits. DME companies also will be given advice on meeting the quality standards accrediting organizations require.

March 17-18

The Academy of Certified Case Managers

The ACCM is co-locating its Western Regional Conference with Medtrade Spring at the Las Vegas Convention Center. The event is focused on patient safety and case management legal issues. For information about ACCM, call 203/454-1333.

Friday March 19

RESNA ATP/ATS/RET Exams

Earn professional credentials in assistive technology and rehabilitation engineering service delivery. RESNA credentialing programs are designed to ensure consumer safeguards. For details or to register, call 703/524-6686, Ext. 311, or e-mail [email protected].