Texas is known for cowboys and barbecue. The state also has an unofficial motto in “Everything is bigger in Texas.” The saying proved true in April with the biggest MD Expo ever.
A partnership with HTMA-Texas garnered local support and intensified interest in the Lone Star State. Attendee registration eclipsed the all-time high weeks before the biannual conference and a large number of walk-up attendees equated to a packed exhibit hall. Booths sold out early with more than 100 medical equipment and service providers exhibiting at the conference.
The industry-leading conference was bigger and better than ever with new features, including the Leadership Summit and Reverse Expo. These new additions kicked off the MD Expo with executive-level hospital personnel and medical equipment and service professionals.
MD Publishing President and Founder John Krieg said the idea was to create a community and encourage the sharing of ideas.
“Despite being leaders in their field, these professionals face the same issue and obstacles as everyone else, so the goal was to get them together so that they could share ideas and best practices,” Krieg explained.
Ray Laxton, Administrative Director at Sutter Health, attended the Leadership Summit and the Reverse Expo. He admitted to being a little skeptical going in, but said he was blown away by the experience.
“The Leadership Summit was excellent,” Laxton said. “I hope they carry on with that (tradition). The content was great and the flow of the Q&A was excellent.”
“The Reverse Expo was absolutely a great experience, and that surprised me,” he added.
Laxton said what he “loved” about the Reverse Expo is that he was “forced, and I don’t mean that in a bad way, to talk with people.” He said the five-minute intervals were ideal.
“You had to get to the point and create interest,”Laxton explained. “I found some vendors that do different things that I didn’t know they did. I discovered some things that could help me.”
“I will absolutely do it again if given an opportunity,” he said. “I also came out and told other vendors that they need to do it.”
The first day was capped off with the Poolside Welcome Reception sponsored by Modern Biomedical & Imaging Inc. The weather was perfect as vendors and attendees enjoyed great food, cold beverages and unlimited networking opportunities in a casual setting.
Ozark Biomedical sponsored the Continental Breakfast the next morning as everybody geared up for the top-notch educational sessions. The first morning of the MD Expo also featured a special panel discussion on the new FDA Docket “Refurbishing, Reconditioning, Rebuilding, Remarketing, Remanufacturing, and Servicing of Medical Devices Performed by Third-Party Entities and Original Equipment Manufacturers; Request for Comments.”
Experts from throughout the industry shared their insights. It was an educational and thought-provoking event. Attendees were reminded to submit their comments by the FDA deadline, which has since been extended to June 3. The comment period was extended “due to the unanticipated high level of interest from interested persons,” according to a notice posted in the Federal Register. The “high level of interest” was evident at the MD Expo.
The Exhibit Hall was open from 1-4 p.m. the first day followed by the Networking Happy Hour sponsored by AIV. Sodexo sponsored a special career insights panel discussion and reception later in the evening.
Atlantic Health System Biomed Informatics Specialist Benjamin Larson praised the conference.
“The Expo was great. It was good to see a lot people attending. I was able to meet some new people and discuss how they are handling some of the same issues I am facing,” Larson said. “I also got to meet some new vendors and saw some products and services I want to take back to my department to discuss the possibility of using.”
“My favorite part of the Expo was the educational seminars. I picked up some great tips from some leaders in the field,” he added.
The second day of the MD Expo started with a continental breakfast, educational seminars and a keynote address by John Maurer from The Joint Commission. The exhibit hall opened at 12:30 p.m. with the Door Prize Extravaganza at 3:15 p.m. followed by a future of the industry panel discussion at 3:30 p.m.
Laxton said MD Expo stands out because of the great networking opportunities and the “intimate” setting that allows HTM professional and medical device and service providers to exchange ideas at scheduled conference events as well as at casual interaction.
“It was a great conference and all the feedback I got (from others in attendance) was about how great it was,” Laxton said. “I had some meaningful conversations with people.”
“There was a real camaraderie feeling,” he added. “The content of the session were really good, too. There was a good mix of exhibit hall and classes.”
Laxton said he plans to attend future MD Expos.
“I highly recommend it,” he said when asked what he would tell somebody considering attending the next MD Expo at Mohegan Sun Casino Resort in Connecticut on October 4-6.
To conclude the event was the Dallas Hoedown, sponsored by Sodexo, that Saturday evening with delicious Texas barbecue, line dancing and refreshing drinks. It was the perfect ending to a busy, educational and fun MD Expo.
Sponsors played a big part in the successful Conference. The sponsors included Sodexo, Modern Biomedical Imaging Inc., USOC Bio-Medical Services, SPBS Clinical Equipment Service, AIV, Pacific Medical, Direct Med Parts & Service, MW Imaging, Select Biomedical, RPI, Ozark Biomedical, GMI, Technical Prospects, Southwestern Biomedical Electronics, Imaging Conference & Expo, MedWrench and Alpha Source Inc. Without their support, the MD Expo would not be possible.
To view more photos or watch the educational presentations, see page 88 and visit www.mdexposhow.com/dallas.