Conference Preview

• By David Drab, Patrick J. Sullivan
• Jul 01, 2000

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The Health Industry Distributors Association is sponsoring HIDA 2000 in Orlando, Fla., September 9 - 11. The conference will offer seminars and educational opportunities for medical products distributors on how to improve business.

The general session will feature Pat Riley, president and head coach of the Miami Heat professional basketball team, who will discuss how to develop a winning business strategy. The executive strategic forum, <I>Winners and Losers in the Transformation of Healthcare<I>, will be conducted by Regina E. Herzlinger, professor, Harvard Business School.

This year's theme, "Takin' Care of Business," applies to the many sessions geared toward shaping the industry and demonstrating effective and profitable management. In an attempt to better serve attendees, HIDA 2000 is offering two conferences in one.

The Healthcare Supply Chain Conferencefocuses on taking costs out of the supply chain. Sessions shaped around warehouse management, logistics and inventory practices will show business owners how to build profits, improve inventory performance, obtain top efficiencies in operations and achieve warehouse excellence.

This mini conference will also offer information on new trends and technology such as demonstrating an e-business model and discussing health care purchasing on the Internet.

Power Selling In Healthcare will offer ways to get more sales and enhance customer relations. This tract caters to three groups of professionals: sales, telesales and sales managers. Selling strategies, utilizing the Internet and performance compensation are only a few of the subjects that will be addressed in these seminars.

The product exposition features more than 400 manufacturers with more than 600 booths. The MED/SURG Expo features a wide variety of medical products and supplies for various markets: home care, long term care, hospital and physician/alternate care.

Exhibit hours are: Saturday, September 9 4:30 p.m. - 6:30 p.m.

Sunday, September 10 12:45 p.m. - 6:00 p.m.

Monday, September 11 10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.

Attendees can not only expect to learn about business management strategies, but also can network with manufacturers, customers and e-commerce companies at various events. The golf outing and the party at the Hard Rock Cafe will provide arenas for exchanging ideas and learning about different aspects of the industry.

HIDA 2000 is also offering child care during the conference for a small fee. The HIDA Kids Camp will have activities geared around themes such as Getting to Know Orlando and Young Explorers of Florida. Children ages 6 months to 12 years are welcome.

When the conference closes, attendees can entertain themselves with the vast selection of sites and thrills of Orlando. Visit the theme parks of Disney World, Universal Studios and Sea World. Epcot Center offers a magical learning experience while the new Animal Kingdom can provide hours of fun.

No matter what attendees plan to gain at this year's HIDA 2000 conference and exposition, they are sure to find days filled with networking and learning and nights full of entertainment!

For more information on the upcoming conference visit www.hida.org.

Whitfield is assistant editor for Home Health Products.

This article originally appeared in the July 2000 issue of HME Business.