Medtrade West preview: Exhibitors look forward to reconnecting with clients

PHOENIX – After a two-year stretch of largely virtual communications, exhibitors are hanging out their shingles to let Medtrade West attendees know they are available for in-person meetings on the show floor at the Phoenix Convention Center April 4-6.  

Troy Holland, president of Logan, Utah-based Stander, believes it could be cathartic for everyone. 

“After being cooped up for the past two years, people want to get out of the office and see what’s new out there,” he said. “In a live trade show setting, we get to show our new patented inventions and embrace the potential to attract new business.” 

Reconnecting with clients and fortifying partnerships are important roles for exhibitors at this show, especially when talking about provider concerns like supply chain challenges. 

Reflecting on the company’s “best year ever,” Holland said he sees Medtrade West as an opportunity to address supply chain challenges with his clients one-on-one. 

“We were able to forecast and stay ahead of most of the issues other manufacturers have been facing with getting product here,” he said. “We have a warehouse full of product ready to ship.” 

Belluscura is looking forward to showcasing its X-PLO2R portable oxygen concentrator, which won the Providers Choice Gold award at Medtrade East in Atlanta, said Eric Adejuwon, sales and marketing specialist for the Plano, Texas-based manufacturer. 

“That award was a beautiful thing for us,” he said. “It boosted morale and, as a result, we exceeded our projections in January and February.” 

While Belluscura’s booth won’t feature any gee-whiz bells and whistles, Adejuwon says the atmosphere will definitely be focused on business. 

“Less is more,” he said. “We don’t have to go all the way out. We are enriching and innovating the portable oxygen market and produce a product that delivers. We are excited to meet everyone and talk about partnership opportunities.” 

Representatives of Exeter, Pa.-based Pride Mobility will also look to the future and seek input from providers about how it can develop the most relevant products for the market, said Vice President Renae Storie. 

“Our goal is to create the most innovative, feature-rich products and we’re able to do this by truly listening to the feedback we receive from our providers when they visit our booth,” she said. “This feedback helps us frame our thinking about the next round of new products we are looking to design and build.” 

Jeffrey Distasio, senior director of Pride sales, expounded on that point by saying all the company’s product categories are “experiencing strong growth” and that consumer input “helps guide our future product direction.”