Highest ever exhibitor numbers saw more than 375 stands offer visitors a wider selection of the latest dental products, technologies and services than any other UK dental show. Over the three day event, the BDTA played host to over 10,000 members of the dental team in the NEC’s largest exhibition hall, where the exhibition spanned a vast 19,500sqm of floor space.
Tony Reed, executive director of the BDTA, commented, ‘There is no doubt that it is a challenging time for the industry as a whole and this has been reflected in the visitor numbers. However, I am pleased to say that the volume of business done at the show was significantly better than expected, considering the current economic climate.’
Feedback from visitors and exhibitors has been extremely positive, with visitors saying how much they enjoyed the event. This year’s show theme ‘Your one-stop dental shop’ also appears to have achieved its goal of focusing visitors on purchasing new materials and equipment. Simon Gambold of Henry Schein commented, ‘We had a very successful Showcase securing more sales of equipment than last year.’ Panadent’s Peter Gowers reported a similar experience saying, ‘We exceeded last year’s show in business written and exceeded our target this year which is pleasing.’
A series of informative lectures and seminars covering the core subjects recommended by the GDC also proved very popular throughout the three days with a diverse range of influencial speakers including James Goolnik, Kevin Lewis and Larry Browne attracting a tremendous 1,800 knowledge hungry members of the dental profession and providing them with verifiable CPD. In addition members of the dental team could once again participate in the Knowledge hunt, a practical way of gathering information while walking around the exhibition to gain another verifiable hour of CPD.
Dental Lab@Showcase took place for the second consecutive year providing an exclusive area for specialist lab companies to combine hands-on product and technology demonstrations enhanced with lively lectures from TJ Nicolas and Andy Toy that were also well-attended. The DLA, DTA, Healthtech and Medicines Knowledge Transfer Network and Medilink were jointly involved in the promotion of this year’s initiative.
The BDTA collaborated with Dentaid to help address the need for dental instruments in developing countries at this year’s show. ‘Instrument amnesty’ invited the dental team to donate their unwanted hand instruments at Dentaid’s stand to improve the oral health of disadvantaged communities around the world and were delighted to accumulate a wheelie bin full of essential stock.