For me, one of the greatest highs of our LAB DAY shows is returning home afterwards, brim-full of new ideas, juiced with the energy and creative strategies I pick up from you—our participants and clinicians—when I hear your presentations or we meet on the show floor.
One thing I noticed this year in particular is that the level of competitiveness among vendors at the show has ratcheted up several notches. It was Show- and-Tell in all its glory.
For example, all of the vendors on the Ballroom Level had elaborate displays, fantastic videos, excellent presentations and mouthwatering spreads. For sure, no one went hungry at this LAB DAY.
Sirona doubled its impact—its 27-1/2-year Cerec Anniversary event in Las Vegas is this August—by featuring dressed-to-the-hilt Las Vegas showgirls complete with peacock-like feather headdresses (if you were there, you couldn't miss them)! Core3D brought us the ever-so-sleek-and-sexy Women in Black. Banners hung from walls and jockeyed for positions in corridors and every now and then we had to remind other various company representatives that handing out literature apart from an exhibit space was not permitted.
And, throughout the day, on the Exhibit Hall Level, one or another attendee mentioned that we should hold a competition for the best display because this year they were really wonderful.
I could say the tight economy has something to do with vying for your attention but I also think displays are more elaborate because LMT loosened its exhibitor guidelines a couple of years ago and now exhibitors are spreading their wings. I must admit I love it. Actually, I would be disappointed if it was anything less.
Thinking ahead to 2013, numerous vendors asked Laurie, Jessica and me to meet with them onsite. They asked for more prominent locations, larger space, help with additional options for capturing your attention and ways in which spaces could be reconfigured, maximized, made more dominating.
It was amazing. Our community is hot, hot, hot! How does it feel to know that so much energy, consideration and investment dollars are being spent on YOU? Everybody's clamoring for your vote of approval.
Though this issue is your LAB DAY WEST pre-show issue, you saw from our front cover that it is ALSO your Chicago Post-Show issue, packed with show news, product launches, announcements, key-opinion-leader forecasts and more.
I thank you for making this show season one of the strongest turnouts ever and for giving us the opportunity to bring you face-to-face with our advertisers—those who supply your laboratory with the products you need to create your restorations. It is a wonderful partnership we have with one another.
Think about it: you don't just read about industry news in print, in LMT; you get to create and experience it first-hand at LAB DAY, in person! Now you can also meet your peers on The BRIDGE. Join in! In addition to some great conversation threads, there's also a great new photo competition from Heraeus (http://www.lmtmag.com/articles/774)!
