ATLANTA- -The 130-mile-per-hour winds from a tornado that ripped across downtown Atlanta earlier this month caused millions in damage, shattering skyscraper windows and leaving gaping holes in the Georgia Dome and the World Congress Center, the site of Medtrade 2008.
The storm tore open the roof of an exhibition hall at the convention building, leaving metal, glass and debris littered throughout the facility and forcing the venue to cancel its immediate bookings, including a dental convention and much of the Southeastern Conference basketball tournament.
But Kevin Bird, group show director for Nielsen Business Media's Medtrade, said repairs to the World Congress Center would be completed in plenty of time for the venerable trade show.
“Fortunately for us, the weather damage will not change the plans or preparations for Medtrade in the least,” Bird said of the conference, which will be held Oct. 28-30.
A series of tornadoes tore through Atlanta and surrounding areas March 14 and 15, leaving a trail of destruction in their wake. At least two people were killed in the storms, which devastated the city's Cabbagetown district, collapsed parts of the Fulton Cotton Mill Lofts and toppled headstones at historic Oakland Cemetery.
The aftermath saw 10,000 homes and businesses without power, the cancellation of the city's St. Patrick's Day and SEC parades, and streets in desperate need of clean-up. Debris flew from windows blown out at landmarks including the CNN Center and Omni Hotel. As of Friday, some traffic lights were still out and streets leading to the Congress Center remained closed as high winds continued to blow glass shards from surrounding buildings to the ground.
Centennial Olympic Park, a popular site for Medtrade visitors, was also damaged--two of the Olympic torch towers fell, and a performance pavilion was destroyed.
Gov. Sonny Perdue has estimated the damage at more than $200 million.
But Bird said Medtrade, in its 29th year, ”will continue as planned,” featuring a 240,000 square foot show floor and over 725 exhibitors showing the latest products and services now available in the HME industry. The show will also include 100 educational sessions on topics ranging from accreditation and competitive bidding to oxygen/respiratory issues and sleep-disordered breathing.
Medtrade Spring is slated for Long Beach, Calif., May 7-8. For more information about either show, visit www.medtrade.com.