Medtrade East preview: Fond farewell to a special era

ATLANTA – The last Medtrade in Atlanta is sure to bring out feelings of nostalgia this year, as long-time vendors and attendees reminisce about the hustle and bustle of the show’s glory days in the '80s and ‘90s at the Georgia World Congress Center. 

While sentimentality is certainly a factor for some, there is also strong support for Medtrade moving to Dallas next year as it consolidates from two shows into one. 

Doug Francis, president and CEO of St. Petersburg, Fla.-based Rhythm HC, sums up both attitudes: “I’ve been attending Medtrade for more years than I care to admit. While I will miss what is familiar, I am a fan of change and welcome the opportunity to discover a new city filled with new memories and new friendships from a larger, national group of attendees.” 

Echoing that thought, Chris Hoffmann, president of Louisville, Ky.-based PPM Fulfillment said “It’s an end of an era for sure. There are many great memories in and around the show, but the change will be good for our industry.” 

Brandon Fonville, director of Raleigh, N.C.-based Motif Medical, is “excited to close out the Atlanta show on a high note with an exciting new product launching this fall and excited to network with our current and potential customers.” 

Plano, Texas-based Belluscura is bringing people from marketing, operations and sales to the show.  

“We support Medtrade at any location,” said CEO Robert Rauker. “We look forward to exhibiting and attending educational sessions and networking events.” 

For Ball Ground, Ga.-based CAIRE, the move away from Atlanta “is a little bittersweet because we consider Medtrade East our hometown show,” said Barry Hassett, vice president of global marketing. Even so, he added that “change is overall positive for the meeting, and we are all very excited about the future centralized location and the benefits that change will provide for show attendees and exhibitors.”  

Bruce Gehring, senior vice president of development for Overland Park, Kan.-based Allegiance Group, contends Medtrade should have been consolidated into one show years ago, so he welcomes the move. 

“Dallas should be a good location in the spring,” he said. “We will have to see about the draw when we get there, but spring show dates have fewer conflicts with other shows, so we should have the best opportunity for strong attendance.”