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Medtrade Renews Commitment to Home Care
On the last day of Medtrade Spring, Nielsen Business Media, producer of the Medtrade shows, issued a contract with home care. The contract includes 10 points that focus on restoring accountability and ensuring attendees and exhibitors receive a return on investment, according to Nielsen.
"We created the contract to emphasize Medtrade's commitment to the industry through education, supporting lobbying efforts and providing a venue for buyers and sellers to interact in a productive atmosphere," says Joe Randall, senior vice president of Nielsen.
Part of the contract includes renewed support of industry lobbying efforts, particularly in conjunction with AAHomecare. Randall says Medtrade plans to step up its financial contributions to the organization and bring the Nielsen Public Affairs department into the effort.
The 10 points, which Randall says will be implemented for the fall show, are:
1. Address current needs through more focused education, both face-to-face and online, with an emphasis on competitive bidding, reimbursement, accreditation and diversifying revenue streams through retail opportunities.
2. Identify future opportunities and develop an educational focus to meet that need.
3. Financially and physically support industry efforts to curb competitive bidding. Participate in and help finance lobbying efforts to demonstrate the value of the home health care industry. Focus on industry unity through networking, grass-roots efforts and visibility in Washington, D.C.
4. Explore ways to provide new revenue sources for HME providers through managed care, private pay and retail options.
5. Strengthen the shows by adding an enhanced accreditation central, a competitive bidding resource center, a retail redesign center and more.
6. Provide a better return on investment for exhibitors/marketers by a return to dedicated exhibit hours, especially at the beginning of each show day. Stage Medtrade in Atlanta and Medtrade Spring in Las Vegas.
7. Present opportunities for constituents to provide products and services for a growing, aging population through education, enhanced buyer/seller opportunities, and research using the resources of The Nielsen Co.
8. Provide a new venue/event in Washington, D.C., in cooperation with AAHomecare to include a legislative roundtable, an educational opportunity and a business forum for providers and manufacturers.
9. Provide the best service and return on investment for exhibitors, attendees and association partners.
10. Listen to constituents' wants and needs and react quickly and decisively.
