Joint statement from Tom Ryan and York Schwab…
PHOENIX – We like to talk about how much you can gain by attending Medtrade West, but on the flipside there is so much you miss if you don’t make the trip. For example, you will miss the opportunity to find a range of new and updated products that could well improve your company’s bottom line.
Once you find those products, you can speak to the manufacturer in person (at the booth) and get a feel for his/her integrity, knowledge, and willingness to partner. No Internet advertisement or Zoom call can replace that face-to-face interaction. If you don’t go, you won’t know.
Will staying at the office really improve your chance of gaining knowledge, carrying new products, and networking with colleagues? After all, what exactly have your peers been doing over the last 15 months? What can you learn from their experiences? Getting to Phoenix for the July 12-14 show is the best way to find out.
All the talk about getting back to business and finding a sense of normalcy makes sense. However, are you really excited about the prospect of normal, or do you want to find that elusive sense of inspiration? Products and even knowledge can be found in many places, but inspiration usually comes from the people you meet.
Lunches, dinners, and conversations in the hall are all back on the table, as is the chance to cement personal relationships with a hand shake or a hug. Doing the same thing yet again this year is not the road to success, and you don’t want to miss out on inspiration.
If you’re ready to get involved with advocacy and pushing for better regulations and legislation, AAHomecare will be back with its AAHomecare Update. There’s a new occupant in the White House and a new administrator at CMS and AAHomecare officials can analyze and predict what it might mean for the HME industry.
At Medtrade West, there is so much to touch, see, and learn but ultimately it’s the inspiration that you can’t afford to miss. The inspiration to fight for your business and advocate at the state and federal levels comes from experiencing something new. We have all missed so much over the pandemic, but now is the time to stop missing and start doing.
Medtrade West is scheduled for July 12-14, 2021 at the Phoenix Convention Center in Arizona. There is still time to book reservations and make plans. We look forward to seeing you there.
Tom Ryan is president and CEO of the American Association for Homecare. York Schwab is associate show director for Medtrade.