This spring, we were thrilled to represent CHAMPS GPO at the Ohio Health Care Association (OHCA) annual Convention & Expo in Columbus, OH, a valued opportunity to create new professional relationships while reuniting with existing members and suppliers.

The convention consists of a tradeshow — which featured CHAMPS’ booth as well as many others — along with an educational component made up of sessions hosted by speakers with experience and knowledge in the long-term care industry.

Billed as “Ohio’s largest gathering of post-acute and long-term care professionals featuring unsurpassed educational sessions, fun networking events, and inspirational speakers,” the convention is the perfect place for attendees to gather industry information, connect with other professionals and stay current on industry trends. With more than 1,400 people in attendance, the OHCA Convention & Expo was packed with directors of nursing, administrators, facility owners and other senior living staff members.

So, why do we attend events like these?

Soon after the COVID-19 pandemic began, conventions and tradeshows were cancelled, delayed or shifted to an online platform. As the pandemic began to lift and a sense of normalcy returned, we gained an enhanced perspective and recognized the importance of these large gatherings and how vital they can be to the success of our organization.

Focusing on OHCA, the list of vendors was vast and included representatives responsible for staffing, pharmacies, janitorial supplies, medical supply distributors and more. With hundreds of other booths set up and more than one thousand attendees, how can CHAMPS GPO stand out amongst a sea of people? While this can certainly feel like a daunting task, we aim to make the most of every interaction. Much like how we operate our own organization, an emphasis is put on the idea of creating trust and fostering impactful relationships.

Though this may be obvious, one of the main reasons for us to attend a tradeshow is the ability to meet future members and vendors. This is where our enthusiasm for all that CHAMPS can offer comes into play. We love to hear about an attendee’s organization or business. The more we know, the more we can share all the ways in which CHAMPS can offer solutions specific to their needs.

In addition to building new relationships, a tradeshow, such as OCHA’s, is an opportunity to renew and maintain current relationships with members and vendors. These face-to-face meetings allow us to share important updates, upcoming offerings and discuss opportunities for growth within their contract.

For a GPO, the cumulative value a convention like OHCA provides is beyond measure. Each day provided us with the ability to forge new relationships and strengthen those already existing. This in-person communication enables us to learn industry trends and leads us to thoroughly understand the purchasing needs of our members.

With less than one year until the next OHCA, we’re already counting down the days until we can once again mingle with long-term and post-acute care professionals and discuss new ways in which we can help our members and suppliers make an impact within their communities.