Homecare: Medtrade Spring Guide

If you're affiliated with the HME industry, Las Vegas is the place to be April 5-7. More than 5,500 home health pros are expected at Medtrade Spring, which offers 450 exhibitors and 70 educational sessions full of business improvement tips and updates on the latest issues. And while you're on the trade show floor, come by to see HomeCare in Booth 1134.

Bright City Lights

Las Vegas, which is celebrating its 100th birthday this year, offers a countless number of ways to unwind after a day on the trade show floor. From gambling and nonstop nightlife to roller coasters and shows, this city has it all - even replicas of the Statue of Liberty and the Eiffel Tower.

To See:

Shark Reef at Mandalay Bay View more than 2,000 species of aquatic wildlife, including 15 different shark species, at this predator-based aquarium. Daily, 10 a.m. until 11 p.m. (last admission at 10 p.m.) 702/632-4555 www.mandalaybay.com

Eiffel Tower Experience Paris Las Vegas This 50-story replica of the Paris landmark gives visitors a panoramic view of Las Vegas. Daily, 10 a.m.-1 a.m. 702/946-4567 www.parislasvegas.com

Elvis-A-Rama Museum See a collection of the King's cars, jewelry, costumes and blue suede shoes. Daily, 10 a.m.-6 p.m. 702/309-7200 www.elvisarama.com

Star Trek: The Experience Las Vegas Hilton Visitors can experience the 24th century in this interactive adventure, including the USS Enterprise and Borg Invasion 4D. Sunday through Thursday, 11:30 a.m.-7:30 p.m.; Friday and Saturday, 11:30 a.m.-9:30 p.m. www.startrekexp.com 888/462-5359

Bellagio Conservatory & Botanical Gardens View exotic plants, flowers and a water display highlighted with fiber-optic lighting. Open 24 hours daily. 702/693-7111 www.bellagio.com

Bellagio Gallery of Fine Arts Claude Monet: Masterworks from the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, showcases works from five decades of the Impressionist's career. Daily, 9 a.m.-9 p.m. 702/693-7871 www.bgfa.biz

The Fountains of Bellagio More than 1,000 dancing fountains are choreographed to opera, classical and whimsical music. Weekday shows every half hour, 3 p.m.-7 p.m. and every 15 minutes 7 p.m.-midnight; weekend shows every half hour, noon-7 p.m. and every 15 minutes 7 p.m.-midnight. 702/693-7111 www.bellagio.com

Guggenheim Hermitage Museum The Venetian The current exhibit, The Quest for Immortality: Treasures of Ancient Egypt, focuses on the understanding of the afterlife. Daily, 9:30 a.m.-8:30 p.m. 702/414-2440 www.guggenheimlasvegas.org

Freemont Street Experience This entertainment venue features live shows and the world's largest video screen. 702/678-5777 www.vegasexperience.com

Siegfried & Roy's Secret Garden & Dolphin Habitat The Mirage Home to white lions, Bengal and Siberian tigers, an Asian elephant and other rare species. Weekdays, 11:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m.; weekends, 10 a.m.-5:30 p.m. 702/791-7111 www.themirage.com

The Birdman of Las Vegas Hawaiian Marketplace Joe Krathwohl and his rare and rescued birds from around the world talk and fly in this free outdoor show. Call for showtimes. 702/795-2247

Thrills

Stratosphere Tower Rides atop this 1,149-foot observation tower include the High Roller coaster and Insanity, an arm that extends 64 feet over the tower and spins passengers up to three Gs. Sunday through Thursday, 10 a.m.-1 a.m.; Friday and Saturday, 10 a.m.-2 a.m. 702/380-7777 www.stratospherehotel.com

Manhattan Express Roller Coaster New York-New York Hotel and Casino This ride features high-banked turns, camel back hills and a vertical loop. Daily, 10 a.m.-midnight. 702/740-6969 www.nynyhotelcasino.com

SPEED - The Ride Sahara Hotel and Casino Launched from the NASCAR Cafe, this coaster takes passengers from 35 mph to 70 mph in 2 seconds. Sunday through Thursday, 11 a.m.-midnight; Friday and Saturday, 11 a.m.- 1 a.m. 702/737-2700 www.saharavegas.com

Adventuredome Theme Park The country's largest indoor theme park features 21 rides and attractions including Canyon Blaster, a double-loop, double-corkscrew roller coaster. Call for hours. 702/794-3939 www.adventuredome.com

Shows

Mamma Mia! Mandalay Bay Theatre Monday-Thursday at 7 p.m. Saturday and Sunday show times are 5 p.m. and 9 p.m. 877/632-7400 www.mandalaybay.com

"O" (Cirque Du Soleil) Bellagio Wednesday through Sunday, 7:30 p.m. and 10:30 p.m. 800/963-9634 www.cirquedusoleil.com

Elton John: The Red Piano The Colosseum 7:30 p.m. April 1-3, 5-6, 8-10 702/992-4852 www.caesarspalace.com

Tony 'n' Tina's Wedding Rio Las Vegas 7 p.m. daily 702/992-7970 www.tonyandtinavegas.com

David Copperfield MGM Hollywood Theatre 7:30 p.m. and 10 p.m. 977/990-0990 www.mgmgrand.com

Havana Night Club Wayne Newton Theater Call for times. 866/525-2077 www.stardustlvs.com

For a full listing of shows and times, visit www.vegas.com or call 866/807-4697. For more information about Las Vegas, visit www.lasvegas24hours.com or www.travelnevada.com.

Expert Advice

Look for these sessions presented by members of HomeCare's Editorial Advisory Board:

Tuesday, April 5

1:15 P.M.-2:15 P.M. Seven Habits of Highly Effective Health Care Managers Dexter Braff, president, The Braff Group

Creative Marketing Ideas: Techniques for Reaching and Expanding Your Customer Base Louis Feuer, president, Dynamic Seminars & Consulting

2:30 P.M.-3:30 P.M. Respiratory: Take a Deep Breath & Let's Get Down to the Basics Jane Bunch, CEO, JB&CS

3:45 P.M.-4:45 P.M. Meeting National Standards Jerold Cohen, vice president of chronic care, Catholic Healthcare Partners

Managing A/R for Maximum Accountability Miriam Lieber, president, Lieber Consulting

Wednesday, April 6

8:30 A.M.-9:30 A.M. HME Sales and Marketing: Strategies for Dealing with the Hottest 2005 Challenges to Building Your Business Louis Feuer, president, Dynamic Seminars & Consulting

9:45 A.M.-10:45 A.M. 20 Ways a Compliance System Will Help HME Suppliers Neil Caesar, president, Health Law Center

11 A.M.-NOON The Efficient Company Wallace Weeks, president, Weeks Group

MMA's Impact on Customer Service Miriam Lieber, president, Lieber Consulting

How to Effectively Lobby Your State Medicaid Policymakers Cara Bachenheimer, vice president, government relations, Invacare Corp.

Thursday, April 7

8:30 A.M.-9:30 A.M. ACHC Update on Accreditation for 2005 Tom Cesar, president/CEO, Accreditation Commission for Health Care

11 A.M.-NOON Basic Reimbursement Techniques for the Beginner - Getting Trained Right the First Time Jane Bunch, CEO, JB&CS

Monday, April 4

BILLING AND SALES BOOTCAMP 9 A.M. TO 4:15 P.M. HomeCare columnists Jane Bunch and Louis Feuer present strategies for increasing sales revenues and update attendees on the latest issues. To register, visit www.dynamicseminars.com or call 954/435-8182.

Tuesday, April 5

CONTINUUM OF CARE 8 A.M. TO NOON This year's half-day conference features four tracks. To register, call 703/836-6263.

Wednesday, April 6

WASHINGTON UPDATE 7:30 A.M.-8:15 A.M. AAHomecare examines this year's legislative and regulatory challenges facing the industry.

DUELING ACCREDITATION SERVICES 9:45 A.M.-NOON Representatives from the Accreditation Commission for Health Care (ACHC), Community Health Accreditation Program (CHAP) and the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations (JCAHO) address the accreditation process and answer questions.

Thursday, April 7

FAME AND FORTUNE, HME STYLE 8 A.M.-9:30 A.M. Sponsored by HomeCare magazine, Jack Evans of Global Media Marketing moderates a panel on the secrets of HME success.

NEW POWER WHEELCHAIR CODES 8 A.M.-9:30 A.M. SADMERC Medical Director Dr. Doran Edwards discusses the new power wheelchair codes and payment issues in this National Coalition for Assistive and Rehab Technology (NCART) session at the Renaissance Las Vegas Hotel.

NCART UPDATE 11 A.M.-NOON NCART President Rita Hostak shares the coalition's latest activities with coding, coverage policy and reimbursement.

Schedule At-A-Glance

MONDAY, APRIL 4

9 a.m.-4:15 p.m. Billing and Sales Bootcamp

TUESDAY, APRIL 5

8 a.m.-5 p.m. Registration

8 a.m.-Noon Continuum of Care

10 a.m.-4:45 p.m. Educational Sessions

1 p.m. AAHomecare Golf Classic

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 6

7:30 a.m.-8:15 a.m. AAHomecare's Washington Update

7:30 a.m.-Noon Educational Sessions

8 a.m.-5 p.m. Registration

9:45 a.m.-Noon Dueling Accreditation Services

10 a.m.-5 p.m. Exhibit Floor Open

5:30 p.m.-7 p.m. Party by the Pool

THURSDAY, APRIL 7

8 a.m.-3 p.m. Registration

8 a.m.-Noon Educational Sessions

8 a.m.-9:30 a.m. Fame and Fortune, HME Style

10 a.m.-3 p.m. Exhibit Floor Open