2017 ODA Annual Session Exhibit Hall to feature new opportunities for attendees
The 2017 ODA Annual Session Exhibit Hall is one of the largest in the region and will include more than 200 exhibitors.
The 2017 ODA Annual Session Exhibit Hall has several exciting new opportunities. This year, the Exhibit Hall will feature a Tech Bar, where dentists can speak to experts about digital and online technology. Additionally, the Exhibit Hall will feature a special course where attendees can get a practical look at the latest high-tech products available.
“The Tech Bar is a new innovative opportunity for dentists and their staff to learn and get help with using social media in their practice, tying the practice’s web page to social media, or just improving the things the practice’s web page does,” said Dr. Mark Bronson, 2017 junior exhibits chair.
The Tech Bar will feature experts who can speak to attendees about solutions for productivity, social media, marketing, practical software or an array of other interests. Experts can help answer any tech related questions, expand professional networks on LinkedIn and help navigate the Annual Session mobile app.
“Our Tech Bar is going to be the most exciting stop in the Exhibit Hall for all of our attendees this year,” said Dr. Gregory Beten, 2017 senior exhibits chair. “The experts in the booth will be there to help doctors and staff maximize computer and phone social media avenues to help promote their practice and better communicate with patients.”
Tech Bar experts will be able to help members update their ADA Find-A-Dentist Profile. The American Dental Association recently developed an enhanced Find-a-Dentist tool to make it easier for patients to search for dentists. The new tool allows patients to search by geography, dental benefit plans and specialty. Dentists with completed profiles have a priority listing in search results, and data shows that profiles with pictures get more clicks. In conjunction with this, the ADA also launched a new marketing campaign that drives consumers to the Find-A-Dentist website. Tech Bar experts can help dentists update their profile and make the most of this opportunity.
Additionally, the Tech Bar will feature a HeadShot lounge, where attendees can get a studio quality headshot they can use on their Find-A-Dentist profile, their website, social media sites and elsewhere.
The Tech Bar also will feature short free presentations where experts will speak about specific topics of interest to dental offices. Presentation topics include: “Catapult Your Productivity in 2017,” “Your LinkedIn Profile Extreme Makeover!,” “Plan your Dental Social Media Marketing Success Strategy,” “Harness Twitter for Your Personal Brand,” “Tips and Tricks on How to Tame Your Inbox,” “Simple Websites in 3… 2… 1…” and “Visual Marketing for Your Business.”
“This is a service the ODA Annual Session Committee is bringing to our hall that will cost members no money,” Bronson said. “It’s a great benefit not available at other meetings or CE events.”
In addition to the Tech Bar, attendees have the opportunity to attend a CE course in the Exhibit Hall.
“This year we will also have Dr. Paul Feuerstein doing his famous ‘Paul in the Hall,’ where he literally visits booths and explores products and equipment from our displaying vendors with an emphasis on cutting edge technology,” Beten said. “He offers this same expertise at many of the major dental meetings and is always entertaining and interesting.”
Feuerstein is the technology editor for “Dentistry Today.” In the course, he will demonstrate several different products, including digital and intraoral cameras, digital radiography, caries and disease detection, computer imaging, shade taking and digital impressions.
Representatives will be on-hand in a non-sales environment to discuss the products, and the course will be held in the Exhibit Hall, making it easy for attendees to view and compare new technologies.
This year’s Exhibit Hall will feature over 200 vendors and is one of the largest in the area.
“With the vast array of exhibitors this year, as always, doctors and staff could literally order everything to build an entire practice,” Beten said. “The great thing about having such a comprehensive exhibit floor is you can literally walk from class and order recommended products from our renowned speaker lineup. There are always great show specials and cool giveaways that make the trip to the booths worth a few stops during the meeting. It’s always nice to have a person right there to answer questions about materials and equipment that you just can’t get from a catalog or online purchase.”
Dentists can check out the online list of vendors, which is always being updated, before visiting the Exhibit Hall to plan out their trip. That way, attendees with limited time can map out a route of the companies they would like to see in the Exhibit Hall. A full list of exhibitors, plus a map of the Exhibit Hall and a product search function, is available at www.oda.org/events. Exhibitors’ show specials also will be available online and on the 2017 ODA Annual Session mobile app.
The Exhibit Hall will also feature special events, including a Welcome Reception, Take A Break! and TailGate! Attendees can also drop off their ticket in the Membership Booth at the back of the Exhibit Hall each day to be entered into a drawing for a door prize. More details about special events and door prizes can be found online at www.oda.org/events.
Dentists also can take the opportunity to earn two free hours of CE by attending the Table Clinics in the Exhibit Hall on Friday, Sept. 15 from 4-6 p.m.
The Exhibit Hall will be open Thursday, Sept. 14 from noon-7 p.m.; Friday, Sept. 15 from 10 a.m.-6 p.m.; and Saturday, Sept. 16 from 10 a.m.-2 p.m.
“Every year as I walk the hall I see classmates, colleagues and the suppliers that help my business grow,” Bronson said. “Visiting the hall helps your practice, the ODA, and the suppliers in your community. This hall with the Tech Bar is a DON’T MISS. Hope to see you in Columbus!”
For more information about the Exhibit Hall and ODA Annual Session, including a full schedule of events and registration, visit www.oda.org/events.
Exhibit Hall Hours
Thursday, September 14
12:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
Friday, September 15
10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Saturday, September 16
10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
Tech Bar Educational Sessions
Come listen to technology experts present topics that will boost your social media presence and confidence. All lectures are free and will be held in the Tech Bar inside the ODA Exhibit Hall!
Thursday, September 14
1:00 p.m. – 1:20 p.m. Your LinkedIn Profile Makeover!
3:00 p.m. – 3:20 p.m. Plan Your Dental Social Media Marketing Success Strategy
5:15 p.m. – 5:35 p.m. Harness Twitter for Your Personal Brand
6:15 p.m. – 6:35 p.m. Simple Websites in 3… 2… 1…
Friday, September 15
10:30 a.m. – 10:50 a.m. Catapult Your Productivity in 2017
11:45 a.m. – 12:05p.m. Your LinkedIn Profile Extreme Makeover!
12:45 p.m. – 1:05 p.m. Tips and Tricks on How to Tame Your Inbox
1:30 p.m. – 1:50 p.m. Plan your Dental Social Media Marketing Success Strategy
3:30 p.m. – 3:50 p.m. Harness Twitter for Your Personal Brand
5:15 p.m. – 5:35 p.m. Visual Marketing for Your Business
Saturday, September 16
10:30 a.m. – 10:50 a.m. Tips and Tricks on How to Tame Your Inbox
11:30 a.m. – 11:50 a.m. Catapult Your Productivity in 2017
1:00 p.m. – 1:20 p.m. #AskUsAnything
