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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Carolyn Hickey
Phone: 703-243-9262

Arlington, VA (September 5, 2003) - Health care supply chain executives will have the opportunity to create and enhance business relationships with trading partners while also learning about the important trends in health care and politics at the Health Industry Group Purchasing Association's (HIGPA) 2003 International EXPO from October 13 - 15 at the JW Marriott Desert Ridge Resort in Phoenix, Arizona. Just six weeks away from the industry event of the year, group purchasing organization executives' attendance is already exceeding record numbers with 154 individuals representing 28 GPOs. The last day of the EXPO will feature a new HIGPA event: the post-EXPO Purchasing Industry Workshop. This workshop will provide HIGPA member trading partners an opportunity to enhance their relationship or make new contacts with the nation's leading GPO executives.

EXPO 2003 will include numerous educational opportunities, including a health policy update from HIGPA's President & CEO Robert Betz, Ph.D. - exclusively for HIGPA members - on the latest policy developments in Washington affecting the health care supply chain. This year's EXPO will also feature a dynamic discussion by Robert Novak, columnist and co-executive producer of CNN's political roundtable, "Capital Gang," and Eleanor Clift, political columnist and contributing editor of Newsweek Magazine. These two highly respected political strategists will offer their straightforward perspectives - from the left and right - on the atmosphere in Washington for 2003-2004 and what to expect from policymakers on both sides of the aisle. Attendees will also have the opportunity to hear featured speakers Todd Skinner, World-Renown Mountain Climber, and George Labovitz, Ph.D., founder and CEO of Organizational Dynamics, Inc. and Professor of Management at Boston University.

"Every year, HIGPA's International EXPO is a must-attend event, and I expect this year's EXPO will be no different. EXPO provides health care supply chain executives with an invaluable opportunity to learn about the future of health care while building relationships with potential customers," said HIGPA President & CEO Robert Betz, Ph.D. "In the ever-changing world of health care, it is vital that supply chain executives come together to tackle the critical issues facing the industry today, HIGPA's EXPO provides such a forum!"

The Purchasing Industry Workshop will kick-off with a luncheon session that will feature a discussion regarding the GPO/IDN symbiotic relationship and will review both the pros and cons for the purchasing industry. Immediately following the luncheon will be the workshop featuring senior executives from eight GPOs: AmeriNet, Consorta, Joint Purchasing Corporation, MAGNET, MedAssets HSCA, MHA-MedEcon, Novation and Premier. The sessions are designed to provide a forum for discussion of current relevant issues in an educational setting, with topics for each relationship development workshop created by industry executives.

"I am confident that the post-EXPO Purchasing Industry Workshops will be a great addition to an already successful networking event," Dr. Betz proclaimed. "I encourage all HIGPA Trading Partner members to attend."

Additionally, EXPO will showcase the GPO Pavilions, which offer attendees the opportunity to explore potential business relationships with participating Trading Partner company executives. The Pavilions offer all Trading Partner executives a unique environment to meet one-on-one with senior level GPO representatives from many disciplines-including: pharmacy, medical/surgical, dietary, capital equipment, laboratory, alternate care and IDN service representatives.

To learn more about attending EXPO, please visit HIGPA's web site at www.higpa.org, where you can download a brochure, learn more details about the event, and explore registration opportunities. Members of the news media interested in attending EXPO, should contact HIGPA's Director of Communications, Carolyn Hickey, at 703-243-9262 or chickey@higpa.org for more information.

HIGPA is also pleased to announce that leading the long list of sponsors for the 2003 EXPO is Silver Sponsor Bayer Corporation. For more information on becoming a sponsor, please contact HIGPA's Director of Education and Program Management, Russell Werlinich, at 703-243-9262 or rwerlinich@higpa.org.

Bayer Corporation, EXPO Silver Sponsor. Bayer Corporation is a research-based company with major business in health care and life sciences, and chemicals. Headquartered in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Bayer Corp. operates 50 manufacturing operations and 50 sales offices nationwide and employs approximately 22,000 people in the United States. For more information, visit Bayer Corporation on the Internet at www.bayerus.com.

HIGPA is a chartered trade association of approximately 160 health care purchasing and supply chain organizations. HIGPA's Industry Members include purchasing groups, associations, and health care provider alliances. HIGPA's Trading Partner members include many of the world's leading health care product manufacturers, distributors, wholesalers and related suppliers. According to a recent study conducted by a former principal analyst at the Congressional Budget Office, hospitals save patients over $30 billion each year by purchasing products through group contracts.

To learn more about HIGPA or the group purchasing industry, visit www.higpa.org or call 703-243-9262.

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