Dental trade shows in decline?
Have you attended a trade show lately? Did you feel that the experience was somewhat lacking compared to previous years? In a recent article published by the US consulting company Edge Marketing, the author and dental industry veteran Scott Mahnken states that dental trade shows are experiencing a decline in both quality and participation numbers. He attributes this to increased travel expenses and the losses dentists incur in closing their practices during exhibition times. In addition, taking online CE courses instead of attending seminars has become more attractive due to the increase in quality of these online courses, he claims.
Although Mahnken’s observations are accurate in terms of travel costs, clearly a result of the global financial crisis, online seminars cannot even begin to equal the actual experience dentists are able to gain at hands-on workshops or trade show booths. Should technology be so far developed as to simulate dentistry through 3-D technology or robotics, humans will remain essential for developing and identifying suitable materials and techniques for effective and appropriate patient treatment. Trade shows will be indispensable in assisting professionals in the planning and decision process.
This month, the world’s biggest marketplace in dentistry is set to open to dental professionals from Germany and around the world. The organisers of the International Dental Show in Cologne in Germany have projected an increased number of visitors to this year’s show compared with 2007. Over 1,700 exhibitors will give dentists the chance to get their hands on the latest in dentistry, be it designer furniture from Italy or handpieces that illuminate and feel fantastic in your hand. If you plan to attend, we wish you an enjoyable time and encourage you to tell us about your experience.
