LAB DAY 2012 could easily be labeled "The Reinvention Convention." Laboratory owners and managers are more engaged than ever in finding new ways to reinvigorate their businesses and adapt to the swiftly changing marketplace.
From mergers and acquisitions to going digital, serving alternate markets and diversifying product offerings, attendees are on their toes, challenged and not defeated. The digital world is booming, the implant market is strong and growing, removables continue to be red hot and aging baby boomers promise to keep dentistry hopping.
Exhibitors--who also are reinventing their product lines and distribution channels--told us they were thrilled with the level of interest among attendees at the show, sales were fabulous and the lecturers were fantastic.
Though the overall mood of the Exhibit Hall floor was upbeat, animated and bustling--and business at the show was brisk--when asked to forecast the balance of the year, attendees most frequently said they were "cautiously optimistic."
Dare we say it? We might be turning the economic corner.
The largest international gathering of the dental laboratory community in North America, this year's show attracted 3,100 attendees who hailed from 47 states and 49 countries.
LMT LAB DAY has become the place for product launches and breaking news. LMT Editors are posting highlights from the show--see below!--and in our April issue, we'll be bring you the full scoop straight from the show floor and various industry events around Chicago.
In addition to all of our attendees, we also give thanks to our educators who made the show such a success: our 202 Exhibitors and the following Clinic Sponsors who provided over 100 continuing education opportunities, most of which were free and approved for NBC-credit: 3Shape, Inc.; Amann Girrbach America, Inc.; anaxDENT North America; Argen Corp.; Astra Tech; B&D Dental Technologies; Bego USA, Inc.; Biomet 3i; CadBlu, Inc.; Candulor USA, Inc.; Cendres+Metaux; CFS Dental, Inc.; Clon 3D; EOS of North America; GC America, Inc.; Heraeus Kulzer, Inc.; Hi-Tec Products, Inc.; Ivoclar Vivadent, Inc.; Jensen Dental; Keystone Industries; Maguire Refining, Inc.; Myerson, LLC; NADL; NBC; Nobel Biocare; Nobilium/Ticonium; Noritake Dental Supply Co., Ltd.; Preat Corp.; Primotec USA; ProLab Solutions, Inc.; Rhein '83 USA; SafeLink Consulting, Inc.; Sagemax Bioceramics; Sirona Dental Systems LLC; Straumann; Synca Direct; Tanaka Dental; Valplast International Corp.; Vident, a VITA® Co.; Whip Mix Corp.; Wieland Dental Systems, Inc.; Zahn Dental; Zimmer Dental, Inc.; and Zirkonzahn USA, Inc.
