Medtrade is stepping up its Complex Rehab Technology (CRT) offerings for its February 2025 event in Dallas.
In an Aug. 28 news announcement, Medtrade said it’s created a new showcase — CRT Live — to specifically focus on seating and wheeled mobility manufacturers and providers.
New York-based Rifton, manufacturer of gait trainers, hygiene systems, and other assistive technology for people with mobility-related disabilities, said in the announcement that it would exhibit at Medtrade next year.
“The new CRT Live showcase, planned for the 2025 show, reflects Medtrade’s and
AAHomecare’s [American Association for Homecare] commitment to spotlighting CRT,” said Derek Meier, Rifton’s government affairs director, in the announcement. “Each participating company
(exhibitor) has an opportunity to highlight their new technologies and innovative solutions.
“Rifton, the educational advisory board of Medtrade, and AAHomecare are all committed to
bringing CRT back to the show floor. CRT Live is the first step in this process.”
Medtrade making a ‘renewed commitment’ years after CRT exodus
The news announcement highlighted a “renewed commitment” to CRT, which once was a major Medtrade segment.
But in 2007, Permobil and Invacare Corp., two of the largest CRT exhibitors at Medtrade, said they would not attend Medtrade’s 2008 events, which then included Medtrade Spring and Medtrade.
In deciding to skip Medtrade, CRT manufacturers cited falling Medtrade attendance, as well as a preference for conferences with more CRT-focused content. Since then, relatively few CRT exhibitors have chosen to exhibit at Medtrade events.
Now, Medtrade is looking to turn that around.
“I’m excited that Medtrade’s programming reflects how CRT is changing lives for patients and caregivers,” Alexis Ward, AAHomecare’s senior director of payer relations, said in the announcement. “I’ve worked in the CRT space for 27 years and believe the time is right to put a new spotlight on CRT at Medtrade, the HME industry’s premier show.”
“Succeeding in the CRT realm requires a significant commitment of expertise and resources,”
said Kerry Tyler, Medtrade’s associate show director. “For Medtrade attendees who may want to
add CRT services to their business, CRT Live will be a great opportunity to see the latest
technology and gain additional knowledge.”
Medtrade — which now holds one annual event in Dallas — returns to the Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center, Feb. 18-20, 2025.