Medtrade Spring Sparks Optimism

LAS VEGAS - Total professional attendance hit 4,250 at last week’s 2012 Medtrade Spring Conference and Expo, a 2% jump over last year. “The decision makers with buying power were well represented at this year’s show,” said Kevin Gaffney, CEM, group show director, Medtrade. “It’s a modest jump over last year, and it shows that providers are continuing to keep a positive approach as they search for solutions in the wake of competitive bidding.”

“For us, it was the best show ever,” enthused Michael Sperduti, president and CEO of NY-based Emerge Sales. “We have so many qualified leads that we have a lot of work to do when we get back to New York. It was pleasantly overwhelming. Why so many? I think people came to Medtrade looking for solutions. They want to make changes and reduce costs.”

Jay Williams, national sales manager, QS/1, expressed overall satisfaction with the show. “The quality of the leads has been better than last year,” said Williams, who made the trip from Franklin, Tenn. “But the overall quantity seemed a little down.”

Caitlin A. Clarke and two colleagues arrived at Medtrade Spring looking to launch a new company and absorb all the knowledge they could. “We came for everything, and so far I really enjoyed the social media session,” said Clarke, head of community development at Med-Allies-World, Warrenton, Va. “We also realize now how important it is to choose the right software. It’s a long-term financial decision with so many different options.”

Clarke’s commitment to building the business through social media ultimately led to her winning an iPad 3, an award given by Medtrade management to those who participated in Medtrade Spring social media efforts. Two other lucky winners of the electronic tablet were: Robert Miovsky of ShowerBuddy, Pacoima, Calif; and Henry Kelley, CEO of Cobalt Blue Inc.