2001 IMDA Manufacturers Forum
The Registry Resort, Naples, FL
June 21, 2026
What is the Manufacturers� Forum?
An opportunity for manufacturers of innovative products to meet, demonstrate
their products to, and discuss business opportunities with the country�s
leading independent specialty sales and marketing organizations. In addition,
manufacturers can attend valuable business seminars.
How does the Forum work?
The Forum will be held from 5 to 7 p.m., Thursday, June 21, following the
first day of IMDA�s Annual Management Conference at the Registry Resort in
Naples, FL. Manufacturers will host tabletop exhibits in a relaxed atmosphere.
Food and drinks will be served.
How many specialty sales and marketing organizations can I expect to meet?
Count on meeting 20 to 30 of the best-networked specialty sales and marketing
organizations in the country.
What�s New About This Year�s Forum?
For Thursday afternoon and Friday morning, IMDA has packed its Conference with educational sessions of interest to manufacturers as well as specialty sales and marketing companies. So not only will manufacturers walk away from Naples with a sales and marketing network for their specialty products, but also some take-aways to help them improve their business. See the schedule below for management seminars of interest to manufacturers.
How much does it cost to participate?
Only $895. There is no additional cost for the management conference program.
How can I sign up?
Click here to request a registration packet for the IMDA Manufacturers Forum.
Management seminars of interest to manufacturers:
1:00 to 2:15: How Do Medical
Device Innovations Find Their Way to Market?
The short answer to that question is simple: Specialty sales and marketing organizations, like those in IMDA. But the longer answer is a bit more complicated. Innovators of new technologies need money from venture capitalists to fund their engineering, testing and manufacturing endeavors. Then they must identify individuals and companies to help them identify and reach potential buyers.
Rich Davies, managing director of Vector Resources, brings with him years of marketing, management, and business experience in the medical device industry. Vector specializes in providing medical device companies with business development and marketing assistance. Learn how innovators bring their products to market and how important a role IMDA members can play in that process.
2:15 to 2:45: Three Essential Elements of Successful Contracts
A well-written contract that protects the rights of specialty dealer and manufacturer can spell the beginning of a wonderful relationship�and a mutually profitable one. Learn what it takes in this succinct, practical presentation.
Having served as legal counsel since the association was founded and having been involved in antitrust cases even prior to that, Mitchell Kramer is one of the country�s foremost legal experts on manufacturer/distribution relationships. Don�t miss this presentation.
3:00 to 3:45: Using Technology to Focus on What�s Really Important � YOUR CUSTOMER
Ever drop the ball on a lead? Miss the mark on projections? Fail to take action on an important piece of intelligence from a manufacturer partner because it got lost somewhere along the way? Each time one of these things occurs, you and your manufacturer lose an opportunity to serve a customer or advance your mutual goals.
But the solutions to complex problems don�t need to be complex at all. IMDA member Butch Lawhon of Products for Surgery will share with IMDA members and manufacturers how his company implemented an electronic solution to manage its business better, strengthen its ties to its manufacturers, and stay focused on its customers.
3:45 to 4:30: A New Kind of
Meeting Place for Manufacturers and Specialty Sales and Marketing Companies
Rep 911 is a new Internet-based meeting place where manufacturers can find distribution partners. The database allows companies to search for specific distributors that match their predefined profile. Darren McMasters, president of San Antonio, TX-based Imagine Medical, will show you how to participate.
5:00 to 7:00
Manufacturers Forum: Showcase of Innovative Technologies
This is your chance to meet and talk business with manufacturers of innovative technologies in a relaxed, comfortable atmosphere. This is IMDA�s third Forum and it promises to be the best thus far.
8:00 to 8:45: Stuff Your E-Mail
In-Box with Hot Sales Prospects
What cost-effective, practical tools do IMDA members have at their disposal today to help them generate sales prospects? The fact is, simple e-mail and Web-based tools can help you get your message in front of interested buyers quickly and inexpensively.
In this message, Darren McMasters of Imagine Medical returns to show you how to use a cost-effective Internet presence to generate sales prospects and introduce new products to your marketplace.
8:45 to 9:30: A Fortune 500 HR
Department That You Can Afford
As a small company, can you afford to offer your employees first-class health insurance, 401(k) programs, disability and life insurance, access to psychological counseling when they need it, educational opportunities, employee manuals? By outsourcing your HR function to a professional employer organization, or PEO, you can. Learn how in this program that could change the way you run your business.
Jay Mincks is executive vice president of sales and marketing for Administaff, Kingwood, TX, one of the country�s most respected PEOs. He�ll share with you how some IMDA members already have a full-time HR department without the cost.