Dental offices can learn about new products to enhance practices by visiting ODA Annual Session Exhibit Hall
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The ODA Annual Session Exhibit Hall will have more than 200 vendors. Attendees consistently rank the Exhibit Hall as one of the top reasons they attend Annual Session. |
The Exhibit Hall is consistently ranked in surveys as one of the top reasons dentists and dental team members attend the Ohio Dental Association Annual Session.
With more than 200 vendors, the ODA Exhibit Hall is the largest in the five-state region. It includes various products ranging from software to loupes to X-ray equipment and more.
“Our Exhibit Hall seems to be the perfect size to see all that you need without being overwhelmed,” said Dr. Gregory Beten, junior exhibits chair for the 2014 ODA Annual Session. “I have been to several of the larger meetings and sometimes feel as if I need my GPS to navigate the floor. The exhibitor chairpersons have always strived to do our research and invite the up-and-coming exhibitors we see in the larger meetings to come to Columbus. We believe you will have everything you would love to see in a very manageable package.”
The Exhibit Hall provides dentists and team members an opportunity to shop around and look at products before making a purchase.
“Dentists should schedule time to visit the entire Exhibit Hall because there are many unique services that many of our new vendors offer that will enhance their dental practices,” said Dr. Bruce Grbach, senior exhibits chair for the 2014 ODA Annual Session. “The Exhibit Hall can be as educational as a course.”
Vendors are available to answer questions and demonstrate products, plus attendees can comparison shop similar products.
“Every year our Annual Session Committee is on the hunt to find new and exciting relevant exhibitors to make shopping in the Exhibit Hall well worth your time,” Beten said. “Since our exhibitors are aware of our speaker line-up well in advance, they are able to come prepared to show you hands-on the materials you just learned about! Our class scheduling allows you enough time to do your shopping at a nice relaxed pace.”
Dentists can plan out their visit to the Exhibit Hall in advance by visiting www.oda.org/events, where they can find a listing of exhibitors, searchable by company and product, plus a floor plan showing where each exhibitor’s booth will be located.
“The Exhibit Hall is a great opportunity to do all of your shopping in one place,” Beten said. “Many of the big companies and suppliers are there. I always like to speak with my Benco representative during the summer to prepare for the great deals available during the Annual Session. Many of the big ticket item exhibitors can set up an appointment time with you so you can try before you buy.”
Grbach said dental offices should come prepared with a list of items they need in their office, because they will be able to find many deals on products they might be looking for.
“Dentists can expect to see all the latest and greatest dental products and services from over 200 exhibitors,” he said.
This year the Exhibit Hall will have a new look to improve the shopping experience for attendees. The hall will have a double entrance and an expanded layout for more convenient placement of booths. The registration desk will now be located just outside the entrance to the Exhibit Hall.
In addition to being a great shopping opportunity, the Exhibit Hall will have several special events where dentists can shop the hall while taking a break or catching up with friends. This year’s events include:
- Welcome Reception on Thursday, Sept. 11 from 5 to 6:30 p.m. Kick-off Annual Session with free hors d’oeuvres and cash bars. Members of the Ohio Dental Political Action Committee (ODPAC) with a red, white and blue ribbon can stop by the ODA membership booth for a free drink.
- Take A Break! On Friday, Sept. 12 from 3 to 4 p.m. Stop by the Exhibit Hall for free ice cream and freshly baked cookies.
- TailGate! On Saturday, Sept. 13 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Keep up with the day’s latest football games while enjoying popcorn and a free drink.
“The events we have held in the Exhibit Hall over the years are always my favorite part of the meeting,” Beten said. “I have bumped into my friends and colleagues that I haven’t seen in years. I find it a great place to unwind and shop after a great lecture, and I cannot recall the last time I left without purchasing something.”
And be sure to stop by the ODA membership booth to enter for a chance to win door prizes for dentists, hygienists and staff. Dentists and team members should drop off their tickets daily at the ODA membership booth for a chance to win that day’s prize. This year’s prizes include:
- Dentists: Thursday, a $500 gift card to Tiffany & Co.; Friday, a Coach leather backpack; and Saturday, an iPad Air.
- Hygienists: Thursday, a sterling silver Tiffany 1837 Circle Charm & Chain; Friday, a Coach purse; and Saturday, Beats Studio Headphones.
- Dental staff: Thursday, a sterling Silver “Return to Tiffany” Bead Bracelet; Friday, a Coach leather wallet; and Saturday, Jawbone Portable Mini Jambox Speaker.
The Exhibit Hall also will feature Table Clinics on Saturday, Sept. 13, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Attendees can earn up to two free CE hours by attending Table Clinics, which are presented by member dentists, auxiliary staff, dental students and hygiene students.
The ODA will again offer an Exhibits Only Pass for Saturday, Sept. 13. Any dentist or staff member can register for no fee to visit the Exhibit Hall on Saturday. Register in advance at www.oda.org/events, or register on-site.
The 2014 ODA Annual Session – ODA Live – is Sept. 11-14 in Columbus. Visit www.oda.org/events-ce/ to register and for more information.
“The ODA Annual Session Committee works extremely hard to invite the best exhibitors from every dental meeting we visit so the experience for our attendees will be top-notch,” Grbach said. “That along with our daily raffles for valuable prizes, our happy hour on Thursday, treats on Friday and tailgate on Saturday morning makes the ODA Annual Session Exhibit Hall a grand experience.”
