ATLANTA – The good, the rarely bad, and the beautiful…Medtrade 2018 attendees express their opinions about last month’s Medtrade. Providers get another chance to experience the nation’s largest HME trade show when Medtrade Spring convenes April 16-18, 2018, at the Mandalay Bay Convention Center.
“I enjoyed Medtrade as I usually do. There was a lot to learn and bring back to share with our staff, and I was able to implement new ideas from the show. I work collections on accounts and was impressed with the classes related to that subject area. The best part was the trade show. I really like looking at new products to see what we may be able to bring into our store.” — Donna Dobbins, records/collections manager, Heritage Home Medical Equipment Inc, Wichita Falls, Texas
“Medtrade was very educational. I only spent about an hour on the show floor, because I went specifically to learn about Medicare regulations and different DME options we could offer to our community. I met great people at the Audit Happy Hour who we might even end up doing projects with. Overall, it was a great event. I would absolutely consider going to Medtrade Spring 2019 in Las Vegas. I have so much learning to do.” — Berioska Sosa (left), Aviva Pharmacy, Sunrise, Fla
“I mainly attended Medtrade to hear about the upcoming changes in competitive bidding. Instead of hearing rumors, I wanted to hear direct from Medicare. On day two of Medtrade, a Medicare representative had a lecture on competitive bidding open for all, and that was exactly what I came out to hear. I was expecting a dead show, but I was pleasantly surprised to see a lot of upbeat vendors pitching their products and services. Some old, some new, but everyone was in a positive mood about the future of our industry. The feeling I got from most people was if you were able to survive without Medicare for these past six years, why would anyone want to go back and chase after Medicare business? There were retail classes focused on e-commerce options to help those who would like to enter or expand that market. There were some fresh options to be better equipped to compete with the Amazons out there. The overall show, in my opinion, was better than I expected.” — Bruce Sandler, president and CEO, Wishing U Well Medical Inc., Granada Hills, California
“It was a great show. It was good to meet our competitors and vendors.” — William Censor, White Aid Medical Supplies, Brooklyn, NY
“I am brand new to the durable medical equipment world, but Medtrade has given me a starting point to move forward. As a pharmacist, I need to learn more about DME and the show was really helpful.” — Lauren Howell, Richmond Hill, Georgia
“Everyone at Medtrade is always nice and accommodating. I always have good conversations, particularly at Golden Technologies. I liked their prototypes, and their made in the USA, which is an added bonus. I got to look for new products and ideas at Medtrade, and I am considering going to Medtrade Spring 2019 in Las Vegas.” — Lisa Johnson, sales manager, Jackson Medical Equipment, St. Paul, Minn
“This was my first Medtrade, and it went well. We came for educational sessions dealing with HMO/Medicaid guidance. We saw a session with Pam Colbert [attorney with Brown & Fortunato] and it was informative with good tips. The show floor was very good.” — Bianelly Welch, Express Care, Manchaca, Texas
“I would go again to Medtrade. I love the networking, and the show floor was a great place to see all of our vendors in one place. We brought five people to the show, and it was great to give our mid level management people exposure to the educational and training sessions. For example, we are big Brightree users.” — Todd Moschner, SleepMed Therapy Services, Kennesaw, Ga
“We went to Medtrade Spring in Las Vegas, and here in Atlanta we had good meetings with Brightree and VGM. It helped to see the software in person and hear from experts.” — Mathilde Riera, Care Group of Texas, Houston, Tex
“The show was excellent. It was my first time and I was very impressed with the variety of vendors—and their friendliness. They were more than willing to spend time and explain things. I got good perspectives, particularly on integrating e-commerce with Kamal Haddad.” — Dan Ansel (right), president, Active Daily Living, Cincinnati, Ohio
“It was probably the best Medtrade I have been to. I enjoyed the exhibitors. The app really helped me, because sometimes you could find the right download [for educational sessions] if the instructor made a mistake. I liked that the foreign companies that do business to business were together in one place.” — Arlus McElroy, operations manager, Alick’s Home Medical Equipment, South Bend, Indiana
“It’s always good to connect with vendors and network at the show. The new chair from Golden Technologies was the best thing I saw at the show.” — Greg McGough, regional manager, XMed Oxygen and Medical Equipment, Fort Worth, Texas