Five insider tips for Medtrade

ATLANTA - Whether you're a first time Medtrade attendee or a show veteran, it's tempting to wing it and wander the show floor without a plan. However, when this year's Medtrade convenes at the Georgia World Congress Center in Atlanta on Oct 21-23, 2019, it's best to prepare.

Leave room for flexibility, but don't get off the plane (or out of the car) without thinking about which exhibitors you want to see, what product categories you covet, and what extra events might maximize your precious time.

Successful attendees follow these five insider tips:

5) Physical preparation: Mental preparation is vital, but it's hard to use your brain if your feet are screaming. Medtrade is not the place to break in new shoes, so bring those trusty flats and make tracks. Bring a water bottle and snacks. Consider it hiking without the trees and rocks.

4) Exhibitor list at Medtrade.com: All Medtrade exhibitors can be found at www.medtrade.com. There are plenty of usual suspects, but more than 80 companies are making their Medtrade debuts. Read the company descriptions and see what catches your eye. Call up the companies you want to see and make appointments. Manufacturers are interested in starting long-term partnerships and Medtrade is the place to establish those relationships.

3) Networking: Bring business cards and use your voice. We no doubt live in a digital age, but face-to-face events are undeniably valuable. Medtrade is the one place where HME colleagues are literally all around. They know your struggles and they aren't your competitors. Random conversations in halls can yield unexpectedly valuable tips. Medtrade is not the time to be shy, so do what the insiders do and ask questions.

2) Special events: You are spending the time, money and energy to come to Atlanta so take every opportunity to maximize your trip. Seating is limited, but there are still slots available for multi-hour in-depth workshops on day one (Oct 21) of Medtrade. If slots are still available, consider paying a bit extra for the following events: Power Lunch; Stand Up for Homecare; Audit Happy Hour; and Rise & Retail Breakfast Roundtables. See all workshops and networking events at Medtrade.com.

1) Plan to learn: Under the banner of maximizing your trip to Medtrade, nothing compares to a Conference Pass that gains entry into the educational sessions. Medtrade has an extraordinary collection of speakers on hand leading a wide variety of topics. Medtrade session leaders want to hear your questions, so challenge them.

Sarah Varner is senior director of marketing, Medtrade.