By Lauren Burns, associate editor
The future of dentistry is meeting in New Orleans
It's been over ten years since the American Dental Association held its Annual Session in New Orleans, but they're back this year with a vengeance, hoping to bring in just as many — if not more — people as they did back then. Perhaps their distinguished speaker, President Bill Clinton, can help them with that. President Clinton will speak bright and early on Thursday morning, the first day of the session (which happens to fall on Halloween). Whether he'll bring his costume with him is for us to find out, but it should be a popular event at the session regardless (even if he did try to pass the same unpopular healthcare bill that President Obama is taking the heat for now).
The ADA remembers President Clinton for creating 22 million jobs while in office, according to their distinguished speaker summary. Since leaving office, he's recognized for establishing a foundation in his name "with the mission to improve health, strengthen economies, promote healthier childhoods, and protect the environment by fostering partnerships among governments, nongovernmental organizations (NGOs), and private citizens to turn good intentions into measurable results."
Besides watching a past two-term president speak, two other major events of the session will be the New Dentist Reception on Friday evening, followed by the ADA Foundation Give Kids a Smile Gala.
Halloweentown
With the session kicking off on Halloween, many dentists and exhibitors have expressed concern about being away from their children on Halloween — as well as being in the notorious New Orleans. However, Michael Blicher, DDS, chair of the ADA Council on ADA Sessions, says there's nothing to worry about. "For those interested in partying on Halloween, there's no better place than New Orleans. For those interested in going to Bourbon Street, there is no place more memorable for partying than New Orleans," he told Proofs in an interview earlier this year. And for the children? "There will be a lot of family-oriented things to do in New Orleans for Halloween. Lots of tours are available, such as the ghost tour or the cemetery tour." (Parents, use your best judgment.)
Comparisons to last year
Say the name "San Francisco," and you'll get people signing up for a convention just for the city that hosts it. The ADA recognizes that the difference in location may affect the attendance numbers just a bit (cue President Clinton?), but they're using what worked from last year's meeting to make this year's just as much of a success — and moving past what didn't work. "If you remember the layout of the Moscone Center, you'll remember the exhibit hall was divided between two halls with a big area in between," Dr. Blicher told us. "In New Orleans, we'll be in one hall — and I know exhibitors will be happy about that."
Exhibit traffic
The exhibitors will also be happy to no that on Saturday's regular morning exhibit hall hours, there will only be lectures within or adjacent to the exhibit hall, keeping foot traffic close. It's also about providing a mix to the attendees. "With opportunities on the exhibit hall floor, such as the dental office design center, the Pride Institute's Best of Class pavilion, and other pavilions featuring CAD/CAM and implants, [being in the exhibit hall] will be a win-win for attendees and exhibitors," Dr. Blicher said.
Registered attendees and ADA members can experience portions of the meeting online at ADA.org/ADA365. For those of you planning to experience it first-hand, we'll see you there!
Thoughts from the Dental Trade Alliance on the ADA Annual Session in New Orleans
"The ADA and the Council on Annual Sessions is trying hard to remake the ADA Annual Session into the biggest and most important dental meeting in the U.S. The goal is to provide quality programs and value for all those that attend the ADA including member dentists, exhibitors, and other groups that support the dental industry. There is an exhaustive list of quality CE for dentists, yet the final day of the exhibition will have very limited CE beyond the exhibition floor.
"ADA is also looking at new innovations including ways to track attendees on the exhibit floor and to register online for all events throughout the meeting. ADA is looking for more feedback from general dentists, first-time attendees, exhibitors, and CE providers to strengthen and grow the Annual Session.
"While Halloween in New Orleans can offer some challenges to attendees, ADA is looking to create a party-like atmosphere that encourages participation, learning, and a greater level of inclusiveness than some past Annual Sessions. Early exhibit sales and hotel room reservations indicate a strong attendance with a focus on helping all segments of the dental industry provide better oral healthcare for our American patient population."
