Twentyleven baby...

Twenty eleven, doesnt really roll off the tongue like twenty ten, but it still promises to be a good year. Maybe I'll just shorten it to twentyleven for pronunciation sake.
Just got back from a week at the Chicago Dental Society Midwinter meeting which has really morphed into the Chicago Midwinter Dental Convention which isnt just restricted to clinical dentistry since LMT magazine decided to run a concurrent venue years ago to give all dental professionals a common place to congregate together.
The twentyleven version of the show seems to have been all that it had promised to be. Many educational venues, lots of purchasing, and after several downer attitude years, a fresh perspective seems to have found its way into our mindset as an industry. Im not sure if its because those who were clinging on to old mindsets finally retired or moved on to some other way to make a living, but there was without a doubt a sense of renewed vigor. The cool thing was that it wasnt coming from one demographic of our industry but from them all. The largest demographic, the small 1-5 man lab owners seem to have either started embracing technology, or decided they were going to grow and promote their business with what they know and excell at, being the technical resource for their new and existing clients. I met several small lab owners that were either purchasing scanners, milling machines, or both. These were labs that in the past never thought they would ever embrace the technology end because they were either too old, too small or both. WOW, what a difference a year or two or being pounded in the head with a velvet sledgehammer will produce. Velvet? maybe not..

For me, its another year of lectures, this will be my 8th year and it never gets old for me, and obviously not for those who come to see me dance. I had a nice full capacity room in Chicago this weekend with a great mix of first time Zaleske lecture attendees and seasoned(or should I say numb) grizzeled vets. ~smile~ Besides lectures in twentyleven I have also been given the opportunity to do some writing and work with Dental Lab Products magazine as their "benchtop" editor. Eight years ago I authored a bi monthly column for a year for LMT which I enjoyed, and I am looking forward to sharing my perspective and techniques on removable fabrication during the course of the year with the staff of DLP.

Lastly, I would like to thank those over the last year who have been so supportive in attending my lectures and offering their social media friendships.
Thanks and heres a raised glass to your continued health and success in dental technology.

Tom