Whether you're in the market to buy or sell dental-related products/equipment, take advantage of opportunities presented by a dental tradeshow. Attending the right shows provides valuable contacts and information you otherwise might not get. Nearly 80% of trade show attendees say visiting trade shows helps them make purchasing decisions, and more than 90% say tradeshows impact their buying decisions because they offer a perfect venue for one-stop comparison shopping of the competition.

As a dentist tradeshow visitor, gain access to the latest advances in dental procedures/products, find new suppliers and meet with colleagues and other professionals. As an exhibitor, take advantage of the same opportunities as a visitor while displaying and promoting your own innovative product/services. As you research the possibilities, keep the following in mind:

1. Dental tradeshow costs can grow exponentially, so ensure you stick to your budget.

2. As a dental tradeshow exhibitor, know the average visitor only spends less than three seconds looking at any display.

3. Follow up with prospects after a dental tradeshow in order of priority — hot, medium and cold leads.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Search within your specialty to find the dental tradeshows that best meet your needs

Whether your practice specializes in endodontic, periodontic or orthodontic dentistry, target the tradeshows where you can learn about the newest innovative treatments, equipment and techniques relevant to your practice.

I recommend: Endodontists should check out the list of upcoming conferences and exhibits sponsored by the American Association of Endodontists. As a periodontist, plan on attending at least one of the events hosted by the American Academy of Periodontology. The American Association of Orthodontists uses its website to publish upcoming events like regional conferences.

Locate dental trade show information concerning upcoming events

Get some of the best dental trade show advice on what shows to attend by learning which shows other dental-related companies invest time and resources in.

I recommend: Check out shows larger dental companies plan to attend. Visit the Zimmer Dental website and view the dental trade show directory tool the company has built. It allows you to search upcoming events by month/year, domestic/international or by tradeshow. Also find a list of upcoming stateside dentist trade shows at DENTSPLY International and Global Surgical Corporation.

Think outside the box and save money with virtual dental trade shows

Becoming more and more popular, virtual dental tradeshows let you attend or exhibit at a tradeshow without ever leaving your office. You don't have to pack up your displays, wait in airports and waste time and money traveling. At a virtual dentist trade show, you can man your own booth while simultaneously visiting other booths, and they provide great venues for networking and generating new prospect leads.

I recommend: Contact PennWell Dental Group, a leading dental industry resource, to find out more about how you can register for or exhibit at the next RDH Event or DDS Tech Fair. The RDBH Event, an online conference/exhibition tradeshow for the dental hygienist community lets you visit the interactive exhibit floor, network with hygiene industry professionals, win prizes, meet vendors, get samples, earn up to 8 CE credits and listen to the conference's key note speaker and other conference sessions. The online DDS Tech Fair joins together dental professionals with colleagues and manufacturers. Attend on-demand conference sessions and earn CE credits, download pertinent patient education materials, win prizes and request samples. To exhibit at a virtual medical/health care trade show, contact IDS-Healthcare to get more information about participating in one of their hosted events.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Besides dental displays, create a dental trade show guide or brochure describing your innovative product, services or technology to distribute to visitors along with business cards and free giveaways.