2008 British Dental Conference And Exhibition The Biggest Ever, UK

Main Category: Dentistry
Also Included In: Conferences
Article Date: 22 May 2008 - 3:00 PDT

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The 2008 British Dental Conference and Exhibition was the biggest ever staged, both in terms of the numbers of people attending and the number of organisations exhibiting. The event, held at the Manchester Central Convention Complex from Thursday 1 May to Saturday 3 May, attracted 4,263 visitors and 180 exhibitors. The 2007 conference, which took place in Harrogate, attracted 3,266 visitors and 128 exhibitors. The 2008 event also set a record for the largest exhibition space ever employed, over 6,500 square metres.

With a theme of Strategies for success: you and your team, the occasion saw presentations from renowned international speakers including 400m Olympic Medallist and World Champion Roger Black and clinicians Ron Jackson and Nitzan Bichacho. Other highlights included the installation of Gordon Watkins as the new President of the BDA, the introduction to the profession of the new MasterClass business education programme and representatives of the two main opposition political parties going head-to-head on the future of NHS dentistry.

This year's conference was also the most environmentally-friendly ever, with recyclable carpeting in the exhibition hall, and delegate bags and lanyards made from recycled materials. Recycling points featured throughout the event, allowing delegates to dispose of cans, plastic and paper in the knowledge that they would also be recycled.

Peter Ward, Chief Executive of the BDA, said:

"The 2008 British Dental Conference and Exhibition was a fantastic event. Across the UK dentists and dental care professionals are confronting change and facing significant challenges. This event brought together visitors from all branches of the dental family and underlined the importance of working together to build success in the future."

The 2009 British Dental Conference and Exhibition will take place in Glasgow at the Scottish Exhibition and Conference Centre from 4-6 June 2009. The theme will be Securing your future: realising your potential. Charan Gill MBE, the entrepreneur behind the Harlequin Leisure Group, is confirmed as the keynote speaker. Booking for the event will open on Monday 5 January 2009.

British Dental Association