The seventh annual conference produced by the Southeastern Medical Device Association (SEMDA) set a new record with more than 400 attendees, toppling the previous 2012 record of 300 participants. The SEMDA 2013 Conference was held February 19-20 at the Georgia Tech Global Learning Center in Atlanta.

 

The SEMDA 2013 Conference also had a record number of participating companies, with 20 companies highlighting their technology and devices before a crowd that included an estimated 60 seed, angel and venture capital investors, private equity and large corporations seeking new acquisitions. This was the first year that medical device data system (MDDS) companies have been included in the SEMDA Conference.

 

“The SEMDA Conference has grown from a local gathering to a Southeastern-focused event that draws attendance from across the country,” said Robert L. Crutchfield, who assumed the role of SEMDA President for 2013-2014 at the Conference. Crutchfield is a Partner at Harbert Venture Partners, with offices in Birmingham, AL and Richmond, VA.

 

“An event of this scope and excellence requires countless hours of work from a large team of volunteers. We were fortunate to have Arthur Spalding, founder of TAMM Net, Inc., as the Chair of the conference this year,” Crutchfield continued. “He has set a high bar, but his focus on building a strong structure to support next year’s team gives us a head start on 2014.”

 

Angela Sinton, Senior Partner at Medical Device Marketing, LLC, served as Conference co-chair and also chaired the presenting company committee. Sinton was recognized with the Chairman’s award for outstanding volunteer at the close of the Conference.

 

“The annual SEMDA Conference is an opportunity to bring together everyone involved with the medtech industry in the Southeast,” said Charlie Harrison, the outgoing SEMDA President. “It is always exciting to see the connections that are made at the Conference, and then to find out that those connections led to mutual opportunities and success.”

 

Recognized as the premier gathering for the Southeast medical device industry, the Conference included presentations to investors along with programs, 1:1 partnering and networking opportunities. Program speakers and panelists included executives from multinational medical device companies, the FDA and acclaimed specialists.

The Southeastern Medical Device Association (SEMDA) is a non-profit trade association that supports and promotes medical device companies in the Southeast. Created in 2004, the association provides a unique resource and networking opportunity for medical device companies, inventors, physicians, and investors interested in accelerating the growth of the medical device industry in the Southeast.

Through quarterly and members-only meetings, as well as its highly regarded Investor Conference, SEMDA meets the needs of members of the medical device community. SEMDA provides a forum where members can share information, hear top speakers and meet with individuals who can assist them in growing their business.