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.