PDM’s First Annual Medical Conference and Exposition, PDM Healthcare Expo 2001, was a tremendous success. The Expo was held on Friday, June 29, and Saturday, June, 30, at the Bertram Inn & Conference Center in Aurora, Ohio. Not only was this event the first healthcare expo for PDM, but it was also the first healthcare industry trade show planned by a Clevelandbased Group Purchasing Organization.

PDM realized that Cleveland, a city recognized worldwide for its healthcare institutions, did not have a forum in which to consistently bring together healthcare facility leaders and healthcare product manufacturers. Therefore, PDM designed its Conference and Exposition to meet this need. According to Mr. Ash Chawla, PDM’s Founder and President, “the Expo gave national leaders of healthcare facilities and pharmaceutical and medical/surgical supply product manufacturers the chance to meet, discuss issues pertinent to the healthcare industry, and conduct business.”

“Attending the Expo provided me with an excellent opportunity to make contacts among PDM’s vendors.” Stated Mr. Phil Gianino, President of Local Pharmacy, Richton Park, IL, a member facility of PDM.

PDM Healthcare Expo 2001 began on Friday morning with a Vendor Conference, during which Mr. Chawla gave a presentation to all exhibitors, sharing information related to PDM last year’s sales figures, PDM’s growth, and plans for the future. Mr. Chawla expressed his appreciation to the assembled vendors for their longstanding support of PDM and his hopes that they would continue to participate in PDM’s future conferences and expositions.

Official opening of the Expo followed the Vendor Conference. Thereafter, all participants visited exhibit that showcased pharmaceutical, medical/surgical supply, and ancillary product vendors. All registrants also had the option of attending a wide variety of continuing education seminars and in-services.

Friday’s events also included a gala luncheon banquet, during which PDM held its first Awards Recognition Ceremony honoring outstanding members and trading partners for the year 2000. Also honored at the Awards Ceremony was Mr. Ashish Gupta, Contract Manager for Medical Surgical and other Ancillary products, who received PDM’s Employee of the Year Award for the Year 2000. The day was completed with a poolside bar-be-que dinner and raffle prizes.

The Expo weekend wrapped up with family brunch on Saturday, June 30, followed by a family day at the new Six Flags Worlds of Adventure amusement park.

PDM is proud that the Expo generated great interest and participation not only from PDM’s members and vendors, but also from a wide array of healthcare facilities. Building on the success of PDM Healthcare Expo 2001, plans are already underway for Expo 2002, focusing predominantly on newest trends in trading and purchasing issues for PDM’s members and vendors.