New industry trade show planned for next year

ATLANTA - A group of HME veterans has created their own company, Access Business Media, and announced Friday that they plan to launch an industry tradeshow next spring. The HME Exposition & Conference will be held April 21-23, 2009, at the Baltimore Convention Center in Baltimore. Access will market the show under the slogan: "This is your event!" "National competitive bidding and dwindling reimbursement for power wheelchairs, oxygen and other core home medical products have put the industry at a crossroads," said Cory Smith, vice president of marketing for Access Business Media. "We recognize the value of producing an event that will address the industry's need to conduct business in a cost-contained environment, to have sessions that provide business strategies for a changing marketplace, and to promote and influence industry change through advocacy." Access Business Media will create an advisory council of industry professionals to help determine event location and timing, show format, content and other important issues as they relate to the needs of HME providers, manufacturers and other stakeholders. "This will be a true industry event rather than just an industry tradeshow," said Kevin Bird, vice president of sales for Access Business Media. " Our mission is to connect buyers with sellers, create networking opportunities, provide relevant business information in a well thought out conference program and to promote the HME industry to decision makers in Washington, D.C." Art Ellis, vice president of business development for Access Business Media added: “The HME industry has been an overlooked and misunderstood piece of the healthcare continuum for many years. We will have pre-events designed to promote advocacy on Capitol Hill, as well as specialty forums at the event to attract and promote interaction between members of Congress, CMS, and the HME Exposition & Conference attendees.”