60 U.S. firms represented at Dubai dental meeting The recently concluded 2012 UAE Inter- nationalDentalConferenceandArabDen- tal Exhibition (AEEDC Dubai) achieved its vision to be the largest dental event in the Middle East. This 16th annual session surpassed all previous records. The event featured 17 national exhibiting pavilions with 900 exhibiting companies from 80 countries. Overall, there were more than 28,000 attendees from 132 countries, a 15 percent increase over 2011. In addition to the three-day exhibition, there was a three-day scientific session featuring 110 leading international and regional educators imparting the newest ideas, innovations, technological advanc- es and state-of-the-art materials further- ing worldwide dental health care. The opening ribbon-cutting session was performed by His Highness Sheikh Ham- dan Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, deputy ruler of Dubai, minister of finance and presi- dent of the Dubai Health Authority. Also in attendance was His Excellency Qadhi Saeed Al Murooshid, director general of the Dubai Health Authority. Both of these leaders of Dubai visited the exhibit hall and greeted many of the international exhibitors. In addition, they visited the joint Greater New York Dental Meeting (GNYDM)/U.S. Department of Commerce (USDOC) exhibit booth in front of the U.S. pavilion. Dubai enjoys a strategic location and serves as the biggest re-exporting center in the Middle East. With the emirate's on- going development has come an influx of significant regional and national confer- ences, conventions and exhibitions. Low logistical and operational costs, an inter- national outlook and liberal government Greater New York Dental Meeting and Department of Commerce promote USA-made products policies attract visitors and investors. Dubai offers a kaleidoscope of attractions: dessert tranquility, towering buildings, modern landscapes, sandy beaches, lush green parks, neighborhood shops and ultra-modern malls. Dubai is home to world-class companies and financial in- stitutions — as well as the world’s tallest building (Burj Khalifa) indoor skiing, the world’s largest golf course and a world- renowned championship horse racing arena. There is a highly developed infra- structure, a major business center and dy- namic tourist attractions. The joint GNYDM/USDOC exhibit booths were centrally located in front of the U.S. pavilion. This joint effort ensures that American-made products are in the forefront when competing with dental products made by international com- petitors. Dr. Richard L. Rausch, general chairman of the Greater New York Den- tal Meeting, said, “This partnership pro- vides better exposure of the U.S. dental industry on a global scale and maximizes exhibitor–attendee interaction and net- working experiences to produce greater sales opportunities.” He said that as stra- tegic partners in this endeavor, both the GNYDM and the USDOC are committed to helping U.S. manufacturers succeed in the global marketplace. The 900 exhibiting companies were contained on one floor in one of the world’s most modern convention centers. Dr. Abdul Salam Al Madani, executive chairman of AEEDC Dubai and chair- man of Index Holdings, a conglomerate consisting of exhibition services, media productions, financial investment ser- vices and health care institutions, person- ally welcomed all of the visitors to AEEDC Dubai. He said, “AEEDC Dubai has remained prominent on an in- ternational level as one of the largest and most popular dental events imparting knowledge and fostering new ideas, innovations and global networking.” Dr. John R. Halikias, advisory chairman of the Greater New York Dental Meeting, said, “With over 70,000 dentists in the Middle East and over 90,000 dentists in China, the Greater New York Dental Meeting will continue to contribute a tre- mendous amount of time and financial resources each year for this Dubai trade fair and also for the one they sponsor in Beijing in June.” Dr. Robert R. Edwab, executive director of the Greater New York Dental Meeting was awarded the “2012 Personality of the Year” award by His Highness Sheikh Majid bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, chairman of Dubai Culture and Arts Au- thority, His Excellency Qadhi Saeed Al Murooshid and AEEDC Executive Chair- man, Dr. Abdul Salam Al Madani, for his contribution to the oral health profession, international trade and the support of AEEDC Dubai. Dr. Edwab said, “Dental meetings and conventions are partnerships between the show organizer and dental trade. … The Greater New York Dental Meeting has a responsibility to its exhibitors to work 365 days a year, not just the five days of its event, to promote their products and in- crease their sales opportunities.” He said exhibitors must have the opportunity to maximize their investments when partic- ipating in dental events. The Greater New York Dental Meeting continues to be the largest Dental event in the United States, with the 2011 event attracting more than 53,000 attendees, including more than 18,000 dentists, from all 50 states and 127 countries. (Source: Greater New York Dental Meeting) Right: Dubai is home to the world’s tallest building, Burj Khalifa. Below: His Highness Sheikh Hamdan Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, depu- ty ruler of Dubai, minister of finance and presi- dent of the Dubai Health Authority and His Excellency Qadhi Saeed Al Murooshid, director general of the Dubai Health Authority visit the GNYDM/USDOC exhibit booth. Photos/Provided by GNYDM One spot worth checking out in the exhibit hall is exactly that: The Spot. It features a “Cool Product” display, Net Café and charging station, a C.E. Pavil- ion, and an educational theater that is the venue for the Smart Dentist Series of free, one-hour lectures. Lecture topics include Nutrition, Establishing an Office Policy Hand- book, Handling Refund Requests From insurance Plans, Managing Patient Conflicts, Staff Building and Making the Best Decisions for Your Practice. There’s even a Wine Seminar. Some of the Smart Dentist lectures are worth C.E. credit. Kid friendly Another benefit available in the ex- hibit hall and for the overall meeting is the family-friendly services. Exhibit hall family hours (the only time chil- dren age 10 and under may visit) are 9:30 a.m. to noon on all three days. An exhibit hall Kid Zone (ages 4–12 for up to three hours) has hours paralleling the exhibit hall. For the overall confer- ence, childcare is available for children age six months to 12 years at the Hilton Anaheim Hotel from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Thursday and Friday and 7 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on Saturday. Significantly discounted Disneyland Resort theme park tickets are available to attendees during CDA Presents, but are available online only and must be purchased prior to 9 p.m. PT, Thursday, May 3, which is when the online ticket store closes. These tickets are created just for CDA Presents attendees and not all are available at the front gates of the theme parks. You print them out via your own computer. They are available at www.cdapresents.com or through www.disneyconventionear.com/ZACE12A, valid May 1–14. Purchase of theme park tickets is separate from CDA Presents registration. Again, the ticket store, available only online, closes at 9 p.m., Thursday, May 3. New planning app A new mobile app is available to help attendees plan out their entire meet- ing schedule. Blackberry and Windows Mobile users can download the app from www.cdapresents.com. Those with iPhones and Androids can search for “CDA Presents” in their respective app stores. Saturday exhibits-0nly pass Nonmember dentists who want to ex- plore the exhibit hall can register on- site for a one-day pass on Saturday, May 5. The cost is $175, and the pass is valid for Saturday exhibit hall hours only. It is not valid for continuing education courses. To register, visit the member- ship counter during onsite registration hours on Saturday, May 5. Night at Disney You can get a taste of Disney magic at CDA’s Night at Disney on Friday, May 4. For $65 you get a Twilight Park Hopper Ticket for Disneyland and Disney Cali- fornia Adventure Park plus a $25 meal voucher. Buy tickets in advance online at www.cdapresents.com. The event “ ANAHEIM, page A1 The Palm Court Plaza in front of the Anaheim Convention Center, location of CDA Presents: The Art and Science of Dentistry. Photo/Provided by AOCVCB Dental Tribune U.S. Edition | April 2012A8 MEEtiNgs ” See ANAHEIM, page A10