By John Wallace
Two decades after accepting his first biomedical equipment job, Bill Hascup is a BMET III with TRIMEDX in the Sunshine State. While his career continues, Hascup recently retired from the Florida Biomedical Society Board of Directors.
Fellow board member John Alvenus, CBET, applauds Hascup’s work with FBS.
“I give Bill most of the credit for making FBS what it is today. ‘The best biomed trade show.’ Bill and Jim Bowles came on to the board about 20 years ago and had the foresight to bring the show to Orlando, specifically to Disney, to make it family oriented,” Alvenus said. “Every year, Bill tries to make it a little better, and has succeeded. The FBS symposium formula has been refined over the years and has become very successful. The biomeds that attend the FBS symposium are allowed to attend for free. This includes all of the educational tracks as well as the expo hall. Not to mention all the giveaways and prizes for the biomeds.”
“I cannot think of another induvial who has provided more to the biomeds anywhere,” he added.
Board Member Fred McMurtrie echoes those sentiments.
“Bill has been a true champion for the HTM community. He works tirelessly to promote our profession and our society. Bill, as our leader, has laid the groundwork for one of the best organized HTM meetings in the country. Which affords the biomeds in our state to have top-rate educational and networking opportunities,” McMurtrie said. “He is a dynamo and, to put it bluntly, he is Mr. FBS.”
MD Publishing President and Founder John Krieg described the indispensable roles Hascup played in the successful MD Expo and FBS relationship that continues to this day. FBS is supporting the upcoming 2023 MD Expo (MDExpoShow.com) set for Orlando in October.
“Bill Hascup has been a dear friend and invaluable colleague from the onset of the MD Expo and FBS relationship. From the very beginning back in 2008, when we first took MD Expo on the road to Orlando, Bill was our main point of contact and helped forge the path of our hugely successful partnership,” Krieg said. “From helping establish goals and expectations, assisting with vendor relations, consulting on speakers and education, Bill and the FBS board have paved the way to form a true win-win situation. It’s evident in the success of the MD Expo while in Florida, as well as the incredible job FBS does with their annual conference.”
Stepping down was not an easy decision for Hascup. It may be even more difficult for the biomed community. Hascup’s impact on the growth of FBS cannot be denied. His gregarious personality, quick smile and innate ability to make a complete stranger into a new friend are just a few of the qualities that seamlessly fueled his success.
USOC’s Amy Hobbs shared her insights regarding Hascup’s personality and his work with FBS.
“After a couple of years into knowing Bill, we were at an FBS meeting outside by the pool. Bill being Bill, he started up a conversation with a gentleman who had his daughter with him. It ended up being his daughter’s birthday. Bill took out a Disney gift card from his pocket and handed it to the little girl,” Hobbs said. “She was so excited and gave him a great big hug. Over the years I have seen the kindness he gives to so many people and the joy it brings to their faces.”
“Bill has been the foremost person for FBS for as long as I can remember,” Hobbs said. “They have built a strong and successful team out in Florida. Bill does everything he can to make sure everyone has a great time, gets the best education and ensures everything runs as scheduled. Everyone that knows FBS knows Bill. Whether you are a vendor, biomed, student or family member there to support, Bill will get to know you. That charisma he brings everywhere he goes will be missed every year.”
He never wanted to be the center of attention, according to more than one colleague. He always made everyone feel comfortable and in doing so made countless friends while also powering FBS’s growth.
In his own words, Hascup said his 18 years on the FBS board have been “so much fun.” His legacy is growing the annual symposium from 25 companies to more than 100 exhibitors and moving the event from Altamont Springs to Disney. His tenure on the board ends with “FBS in great financial shape,” he added.
“It’s been so much fun. It’s been a great travel,” Hascup explained in a phone interview. “Hopefully, my legacy means I did a lot for FBS and the members.”
Regarding his legacy, Hobbs said “That is a hard question since Bill isn’t done in the HTM world yet. I know when he leaves there will be a gap that definitely won’t be easily fulfilled.”
AIV Inc. Vice President of Sales Jeff Taltavull shared his thoughts on Hascup’s legacy.
“Bill’s biggest legacy will always be the annual symposium,” Taltavull said. “He has helped coordinate that for as long as I have known him, and that’s going back close to 20 years. It was always the best regional biomed show as far back as I remember. There was always a huge amount of attendance, and lots of interaction between the attendees and vendors. Multiple events that got the groups together. Bill also did his best to accommodate the vendors and realized early on that those relationships would always be a key supporting role in the future of the FBS.”
Hascup says he will no longer attend industry meetings, including FBS symposiums, MD Expos and AAMI conferences. “I just have to stop cold turkey. I can’t just hang around forever,” Hascup said. He said it is time for the next chapter and some “Bill time.”
“There are some young people who are going to do a great job at FBS. There will be some learning steps, but they will be fine,” he said. “It is just time. I need to step away and let FBS be FBS.”
Hascup enjoyed his final FBS symposium – that included a small birthday celebration in his honor.
“I think I went out with a bang and now it is Bill time,” he said. “Bill time” can be defined as cruises and spending time with family.
“It has been a great pleasure to work with Bill for the last two decades and I am proud to call him my friend,” Taltavull said. “We have laughed and cried and experienced many of life’s joys together. As he nears his retirement and steps back from some of his roles, I wish him nothing but peace and happiness – you earned it. Enjoy your cruises and no need for your bodyguard anymore. Best wishes my friend.”
