ODA Annual Session Exhibit Hall features new events, offerings

The Exhibit Hall at the 2013 ODA Annual Session (Sept. 19-22 in Columbus) is not just the perfect place to purchase products and equipment, but also gives attendees the chance to relax, enjoy special events, win prizes and grab lunch.

The Exhibit Hall will feature more than 200 exhibitors, with products from dental chairs and loupes to handpieces and equipment to toothbrushes and gloves. Dentists and staff members can all take advantage of the knowledgeable sales reps and the opportunity to ask detailed questions and see the product before making a purchase.

“If you’re looking at comparing products or if you’re having a difficult time making a decision between products that you would like to put in your office, the Exhibit Hall is an excellent opportunity to see multiple similar products, almost in a side-by-side comparison,” said Dr. Nanette Tertel, 2013 Exhibit Hall chair. “It’s a hands-on experience you can’t get from ordering over the phone, online, or from a local representative. As good as they may be, they can’t bring a new computer system into your office every day.”

A new event taking place in the Exhibit Hall this year for dentists is the New Products Roundtable Breakfast. This event will take place from 8 to 10 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 21, and is an opportunity for dentists to check out the newest products on the dental market.

“Dentists who are there early Saturday morning have an amazing chance to get into the hall early, before it even opens, and avoid the crowds and see some of the latest dental products demonstrated,” Tertel said. “They’ll be able to speak to exhibitors without waiting in line, and enjoy a great breakfast right in the hall. It’s a great opportunity to get one-on-one attention, so when you’re placing your order, you will have all the knowledge you need to efficiently and effectively utilize that product in your office, as soon as it arrives.”

This event is for dentists only. Representatives from eight companies will be presenting the newest products at this elite event, and attendees won’t have far to walk to make a purchase since the breakfast takes place right in the Exhibit Hall. Attendees will earn two hours of CE credit, and the fee is $85 for members and $150 for non-members. Register with Course Code S69.

The door prize drawings in the Exhibit Hall are also seeing a few changes this year. New this year will be separate prize drawings each day for dentists, staff and hygienists. Tickets will be printed with registration packets, and a new ticket must be dropped off in the ODA Membership Booth each day to be eligible to win that day’s prize.

Drawings for each category will take place Thursday, Sept. 19 at 5:30 p.m.; Friday, Sept. 20 at 5 p.m.; and Saturday, Sept. 21 at 1 p.m.

Prizes for dentists include: a $500 gift card to Tiffany & Co., a Coach leather travel bag and an iPad. Prizes for hygienists include: a Coach purse, a sterling silver Tiffany 1837 Toggle Bracelet and a Kindle Fire. Prizes for dental staff include: a Coach leather wristlet, a sterling silver Tiffany Open Heart Necklace and an iPod Touch.

“Make sure your staff and hygienist visit the Exhibit Hall to see any products they may want to utilize in your office, and also make sure they have the opportunity to go back to the ODA Membership Booth to drop off their daily raffle ticket to win fabulous prizes like a Coach bag,” Tertel said.

Attendees will also have the opportunity to win prizes from social media games that will be going on in the Exhibit Hall throughout the convention.

“Be sure to have your smartphone charged in one of the charging stations in the Membership Booth so that you can be ready to participate in some of the social media events going on in the hall,” Tertel said.

Another new option in the Exhibit Hall this year will be the opportunity for attendees to advance-purchase boxed lunches. These lunches will be a quick and delicious way for attendees to grab lunch between courses and still have time to browse the Exhibit Hall. For more information on ordering these lunches, visit www.oda.org or check your mailbox for the Annual Session program.

To make the most of a visit to the Exhibit Hall, Tertel recommends visiting www.oda.org and looking at the Exhibit Hall directory to browse what companies will be exhibiting and where their booths will be located. You can view a map of the Exhibit Hall floor, view a list of exhibitors or search by category.

“You can download and print a map to start making your plan for visiting the hall, especially if you’re looking for hard-to-find products,” Tertel said. “You can determine your route in the hall to see your favorite exhibitors, but also new exhibitors of products you’ve never seen before.”

The Exhibit Hall will also feature several special events throughout Annual Session.

The Welcome Reception will be Thursday, Sept. 19 from 5 to 6:30 p.m. This kick-off to Annual Session will feature free hors d’oeuvres and cash bars. There will also be a special program for dental students where member dentists will escort them around the Exhibit Hall and introduce them to the convenience of purchasing products at a dental trade show. Members of the Ohio Dental Political Action Committee (ODPAC) will receive a free drink by stopping by the Membership Booth.

On Friday, Sept. 20, Take A Break! in the Exhibit Hall from 3 to 4 p.m. Enjoy ice cream or freshly baked cookies while browsing the booths.

If you don’t want to miss the weekend’s football games, stop by Tailgate! From 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 21. Keep up with the day’s games and enjoy popcorn and a free drink.

Table Clinics will also be presented Saturday and give attendees the opportunity to earn up to two hours of free CE. Table Clinics will be presented by member dentists, auxiliary staff, dental students and hygiene students from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

Attendees will also have the opportunity to meet with ODA staff members in the Membership Booth. On Friday, Sept. 20, Chris Moore, director of dental services, and Keith Kerns, director of legal and legislative services, will be available from 5 to 6 p.m. to answer questions. On Saturday, Sept. 21, from 10 to 11 a.m., Kathy Woodard, director of public service; Karli Hill, director of membership and marketing; and Jackie Best, managing editor, will be available.

“Be sure to realize the value of your membership by visiting the ODA Membership Booth to get information from your ODA staff and get any questions answered that you may need, and pick up information about ODA supported products through ODASC,” Tertel said.