LAS VEGAS – With Medtrade Spring just a week away, exhibitors from all over the country are packing their wares and heading for the Nevada desert. Jack Wright, president of Crosswind Concepts (Booth #1223) looks forward to connecting with providers at the “cozier” version of 2014’s two Medtrades.
Wright will share his Santa Rosa, Calif-based company’s “Freedom Chair” and patented “Activity Tray” with attendees at the Mandalay Bay Convention Center. Crosswind Concepts’ Freedom Chair started as an evacuation chair (in case of an emergency) to get people in wheelchairs out of multiple story buildings.
When the 10-inch “Worry Free” tires are installed, it doubles as a courier for individuals in wheelchairs who cannot get their chairs to certain areas such as down trails, to beaches, or rugged terrain. “Having pushed my son for 30 years in his chair,” says Wright (pictured), “I fully understand the challenges when it comes to transporting people across certain terrains.”
Other exhibitors looking to “talk turkey” with attendees include:
• Prairie View Industries, Fairbury, Neb (Booth #433)
“We must have a presence at Medtrade Spring,” says Kathleen Waldrep, co-owner. “Our competition is always there, and there is more and more competition. The competitive landscape is getting crowded with Chinese-made products where the quality is not as good. We want people to see the difference in our American-made products.”
• First Choice Medical Supply (Booth #455)
“We are a privately-held, full-line medical distributor,” explains Mark Crick, vice president of Home Care Sales. “We are one of only a handful of companies in the nation that are nationwide. We have a national footprint, and most companies do not. We are one of the few companies that does not actually compete directly with HME providers. Other national companies own their own part B providers.
“There has been a lot of industry turmoil,” continues Crick. “However, the industry is not going away. We still think it is going to be viable with a significant amount of growth. You have a consolidation of providers, and I think there are going to be fewer providers. But the industry as a whole is still in growth mode.”
• McKesson, Nashville, Tenn (Booth #826)
“There is a strong passion for taking care of patients and doing the right thing in this industry,” says Jeff Bowman, vice president, DME Sales. “I am confident that passion will sustain. That passion, mixed with implementing new ways to do business—whether that is new products, new markets, new delivery models, or new automation—will allow many HMEs to not just survive, but thrive. We want to be part of that and help this industry thrive for many years.
“We have the best e-purchasing connectivity with software vendors such as Brightree, which takes significant costs out of the ordering/fulfillment process for HMEs,” adds Bowman. “We are also launching a new equipment program that will add to the product options we offer.”
• Prism Medical, Maryland Heights, MO (Booth #1108)
“Prism Medical offers many solutions to lost revenue through new products and market channels that many dealers have not considered,” says Jeremy Bespalko, vice president of Business Development. “The opportunity to meet with our sales team and discuss how we can help and contribute to their business growth should not be missed. Many Dealers have not yet considered our particular product lines or services, but would be glad if they got to know us. Our particular market segment is growing, and is not restricted within the current reimbursement world.”
• i-SENS USA Inc, Duluth, Ga (Booth #551)
“We’ve been exhibiting at Medtrade Spring and Medtrade for eight years now,” says Kelly Kim, account manager. “As a leading manufacturer of blood glucose monitoring systems, HME trade shows are the starting point of our current market search…Despite reimbursement cuts, the market is growing in the number of those needing care, so the demand for diabetes testing will only increase.
“With the new standards for glucose meter accuracy ISO 15197:2013 in place in Europe and new FDA guidance for glucose meter accuracy being implemented in the United States soon, the demand for higher accuracy, as well as affordable BGM is high. Our products meet and exceed these expectations.”
• LoJack (Booth #846)
“We’re incredibly excited for the opportunity to share our LoJack Fleet Management powered by TomTom service with those busy professionals across the medical trade industry,” says Michael Nadeau. “LoJack Fleet Management is a comprehensive, GPS-based advanced telematics system designed for tracking and managing fleets ranging from five to 5,000 vehicles. We can help providers cut costs, increase profits, and optimize their fleet. And if you stop by our Medtrade Spring booth and sign up for the LoJack Fleet Management service within 30 days of the visit, you’ll receive a great deal.”
• Lucina Advanced Care, Hicksville, NY (Booth #1149)
“We are launching a new breast pump,” says Maria Lynch, national sales manager. “The Affordable Care Act gives us optimism because we offer the most innovative, well priced breast pumps for the insurance DME market.”
• EWheels, Scottsdale, Ariz (Booth #235)
“We were looking to promote our products, and when we asked people in the industry the best place to do this we heard Medtrade Spring and Medtrade over and over again,” says Andi Barness, director of Marketing. “We believe we have a niche product that is very affordable. There’s nothing like this on the market, and we are excited to promote it at Medtrade Spring and Medtrade. People should visit our booth because we have something that is different and unique. We are taking the look and feel of mobility scooters up a notch, and you must see it to believe it.”
There is still time to register for Medtrade Spring, scheduled for March 10-12 at the Mandalay Bay Convention Center in Las Vegas. Click Here to register.