Hard to believe, but yes: It’s time to start planning for Medtrade 2008 at the Georgia World Congress Center. As part of that planning mode, the American Association for Homecare (AAHomecare) and Medtrade have announced networking opportunities coming up in Atlanta.

New to the agenda this year, says Michael Reinemer, AAHomecare VP of communications & policy, is a “general session focused on the state of the home-care industry featuring industry leaders and moderated by Tyler Wilson.” Wilson is the president of AAHomecare.

AAHomecare will also host its third “Stand Up for Homecare” reception on Tuesday night starting at 5:30 p.m., Oct. 28, at the Omni Hotel at CNN?Center. That event will raise funds “for a public awareness campaign in support of the home-care industry,” Reinemer says.

In addition, AAHomecare will be offering its full-day Continuum of Care educational conference, as well as a full-day Reimbursement conference, on Monday, Oct. 27. The Continuum of Care track on rehab and assistive technology, sponsored by Mobility Management, is scheduled to feature presenters Lois Brown (Quantum Rehab), Jane Fontein (PDG Product Design Group), Ginny Paleg (Convaid), Mark Schmeler (University of Pittsburgh), Stephanie Tanguay (Motion Concepts) and Peggy Walker (U.S. Rehab).

Medtrade organizers expect 850-plus exhibitors in 290,000 square feet of show floor space. For more information or to register, visit www.medtrade.com.