Medtrade: Paper surveys spur better feedback

ATLANTA, Nov. 28, 2012—Medtrade organizers gave up on the idea of trying to get conference surveys completed online this year, and the move paid off. Kevin Gaffney, group show director, Medtrade, estimates that switching back to paper added about 20 percent more feedback. “Despite the smart phone culture and ubiquitous laptops, the convenience of onsite pen and paper spurred more responses than last year,” Gaffney said. “It may change in the future, but this type of immediate, old school methodology works for attendees. Ultimately, we want to maximize the amount of constructive criticism we receive. It’s human nature for people to tell us what they don’t like, but fortunately we also hear about what works.”

“Happily, we received many completed surveys and gained the tremendous feedback we have always sought,” added Mary Ellen Conway, president of the Capital Healthcare Group, and a member of the Medtrade educational advisory board (EAB). “Using this feedback on speakers, presentation styles and topics, the EAB can continue to select the best speakers and programs that Medtrade is known for.”

Early registration is now open for Medtrade Spring Las Vegas, and Conway urges attendees to take advantage of early bird rates. “It’s also a good idea to sign up for the popular Lunch & Learn Program that has been offered since Spring 2010,” she said. “The program has been well-received by attendees and has sold-out at shows, so plan to register for the show early, and include the Lunch & Learn.

“Look for some new options for pre-conference sessions being offered on the morning of Tuesday, March 19, before the show opens that afternoon, and some new workshops to be offered during the show,” Conway said. “We hope to have all of the sessions finalized very soon and the final schedule available on the website.”

Take advantage of the following early bird rates:
• $99 for the conference educational sessions
• $25 for an Expo Pass

Please note that after three years at the Sands Expo and Convention Center, Medtrade Spring will move next year to the Mandalay Bay Convention Center. With 1.7 million square feet of meeting space, Mandalay is the fifth largest convention facility in the United States. Located on the Las Vegas Strip, the new venue will allow most attendees to stay at the hotel, with no need to commute to the convention. Medtrade Spring will reside at Mandalay Bay from 2013-2015. Medtrade Spring 2013 will take place March 19 – 21, which is a month earlier than the usual April time slot. The Expo will be open on Wednesday, March 20, and Thursday, March 21.

Medtrade 2013 will be in Orlando, Fla, at the West Building of the Sunshine state’s Orange County Convention Center. The Expo Floor will be open on October 8-10, 2013 in Halls WA3-WB4. The Conference Program will be October 7-10, 2013 in the meeting rooms on Levels 2 and 3. Click here to register.