Medtrade Makeover? Not So Fast
Re: “Time for a Medtrade Makeover” by Cara C. Bachenheimer, JD, and David T. Williams (December 2004 “Our Turn” column): I certainly respect the authors and their opinions. However, the article criticizes Medtrade’s educational programs and questions the show’s locale in a manner that does not clearly represent the HME industry’s viewpoint.

In conjunction with AAHomecare, Medtrade continually reassesses educational programs to ensure appropriate content. In addition to guidance from AAHomecare, Medtrade has an educational advisory committee that directs content based on current industry issues. Speakers are selected based on original and compelling content, which means some speakers are unfortunately rejected. We will continue to seek out highly qualified speakers to educate attendees—attendees who say they are pleased with the content, speakers, and direction the show has taken.

Bachenheimer and Williams also think the HME industry would be better served by having Medtrade in Washington, DC. At VNU Expositions, producers of the Medtrade events and 60 additional trade shows, event venues are planned long in advance and we want to ensure that exhibitors and attendees will have access to shows that are cost-effective, professional, and accessible. Atlanta, Orlando, and Las Vegas are the locations that meet these needs. In research conducted with attendees and exhibitors, these areas consistently ranked as the primary locations for Medtrade Spring and Medtrade Fall. Our focus is to support the distribution channel of HME products and foster networking opportunities and education that meets the industry’s needs.

We agree that a strong lobbying effort should be pursued by the HME industry. However, Medtrade does not attempt to serve that function. Fortunately, Medtrade has been able to support the industry’s legislative efforts through its relationship and partnership with AAHomecare. For years, Medtrade has supported AAHomecare (and its predecessors) through its leadership and legislative conferences, member “fly-ins,” and membership recruitment efforts—both financially and through its publications and events. In addition, Medtrade has partnered with Dealer/Provider magazine to offer Advocate’s Corner and Grassroots Central areas at both Medtrades. We believe the lobbying efforts that are currently taking place are making an enormous impact on the industry.

Zuzette Estevez, VNU Expositions Inc
Group Show Director, Medtrade

If It’s Washington, DC You Want...
Cara C. Bachenheimer, JD, and David T. Williams touched on important issues in their December 2004 column, “Time for a Medtrade Makeover,” which suggests moving Medtrade to Washington, DC. Certainly, the home care community needs to work tirelessly to educate policy makers in Washington about home care’s importance in solving the nation’s health care crisis—which is what AAHomecare does every day. The best way to make that case is to actually meet with members of Congress and their health care legislative assistants.

That is one of the reasons why AAHomecare has combined its leadership and legislative conferences into a single Washington Leadership Conference this year, June 7 to 10. We expect higher attendance at this meeting, which will focus on working with members of Congress, CMS, and other agencies on key home care issues. We are planning a full-immersion, must-attend advocacy experience in Washington to speak with one voice, achieve results, and effect change. We welcome dialogue about ways to bring even more members of the home care community to advocate in Washington. We also welcome sponsorship and support to help make this an important, large-scale meeting.

Kay Cox, president and CEO
American Association for Homecare