Medtrade: First Annual Event Gets High Marks from Participants

• By Laurie Watanabe
• Apr 05, 2023

Medtrade says its inaugural consolidated event in Dallas was a success in the eyes of those who attended.

Count the American Association for Homecare (AAHomecare) as among those impressed by the new single-event format, March 28-30 at the Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center.

In an April 5 bulletin, AAHomecare said, “Medtrade’s bold move to an annual format and centrally located host city was a hit with attendees and exhibitors alike.”

AAHomecare described the exhibit hall as “vibrant,” with “packed” events. The association described overall Medtrade attendance as up 46 percent versus attendance at the last Medtrade East, held in Atlanta last fall. AAHomecare also noted a 20-percent increase in booth space vs. last year’s Medtrade East, with a 20-percent rise in conference session registrations compared to registrations in 2019.

And the Stand Up for Homecare reception that closed Wednesday’s events raised more than $45,000 “to support patient advocacy groups that serve HME patients and are effective advocacy partners on many of our policy initiatives,” the organization said.

Exhibitors Report Good Attendance

Medtrade said exhibitors were pleased with the levels of traffic in the expo.

In its April 3 “Heard at Medtrade” story, Medtrade Monday Editor Greg Thompson spoke with Tim Barnes from exhibiting company Access4U, a ramp manufacturer. “Medtrade has been very good,” Barnes told Thompson. “In Atlanta we saw repeat customers, but this year in Dallas, we are making more new contacts. The majority have been serious inquiries. Exhibiting here at Medtrade is helping to get our name out to the dealers. We’re planning to be here next year, and we have already picked out our booth. The Omni attached to the convention center is also a big plus. The rooms are great.”

Abby Schornick, representing Fisher & Paykel, told Thompson, “Medtrade has been great, and we’ve had good conversations. It’s been really good. It’s nice to catch up with existing customers. There is definitely more foot traffic than we had in Atlanta. For us, it’s a more valuable trip.”

And Rachel Soriano, representing Cardinal Health at Home, said, “Medtrade has had good foot traffic and productive discussions. We’re seeing jovial people. We’re seeing a lot of people from Texas, but really they are coming from all over the country and even internationally from Guatemala.”

For many years, Medtrade was presented as two events, one in the spring in the western United States, and the other in the fall in the eastern United States. Starting in 2023, a single Medtrade event will be held each year.

The new format still included an exhibit hall, networking and advocacy opportunities, a New Product Pavilion, and educational conference sessions.

Medtrade 2024 returns to the Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center in Dallas, March 26-28.