Reverse trade shows are all the rage as conference organizers get creative to ensure that attendees get the most out of their time and investment. For instance at the Health Connect Partners (HCP) conference in Tampa last week, more than 100 hospital radiology executives hosted and staffed the exhibit booths while the vendors, suppliers and manufacturers walked the trade show floor. It's a clever way to turn the typical meeting on its ear.

"It was nice for us because we're a supplier and we were able to visit a lot of our customers and potential customers and get some face time," said Wendy Abbott, marketing specialist for ETS-Lindgren. "By visiting with them we were able to find out about a lot of new projects and some of the needs they may have coming up."

On the meeting agenda this year, Shay Pratt, managing director of The Advisory Board Company, a consulting firm and Washington, D.C.-based think tank, presented an analysis of the health care industry and what to expect from the Capitol in terms of reform legislation in the coming months. Overall, the atmosphere at the conference was one of "guarded optimism," said Radiology and Imaging Conference President Nelson Hendry.
"I think the general perspective out there is that, by and large, health care providers as well as suppliers are going to deal with whatever comes forth, but the thing we hate is the uncertainty," said Hendry. "Most of the attendees left with an optimistic view, even though people have different ideas about how this is all going to play out. There is concern and consternation, and we've got a lot of challenges ahead, especially in imaging as far as reimbursement is concerned, but we'll find a way to work it out."



Other highlights included a key note address from National Speaker Hall of Famer Giovanni Livera, who received a standing ovation at the conference. There were more than 350 attendees and 150 supplier companies represented, including ETS-Lindgren, which provides RF shielding and other health and safety technologies.

DOTmed.com representatives were also in attendance and made the rounds to visit hospital radiology executives.

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