If this issue of Northwest Dentistry finds you already dreading the start of Minnesota’s cold winter weather, short daylight hours, and snow-filled driveways, go ahead and THINK SPRING! That’s right; it is time to start planning your 2008 Star of the North experience.

It is with great enthusiasm and excitement that I would like to share with you all of the fabulous plans and exciting changes the 2008 Star of the North Meeting will bring.

Two thousand eight will be a very dynamic year for us as we look forward to a new format. In response to member feedback, we will be moving to a three-day, Thursday through Saturday meeting. Pre-Session Seminars will be offered on Thursday, April 10, followed by two full days of continuing education and exhibits on Friday and Saturday, April 11-12. Please also note that the meeting is being held earlier in April, so mark your calendars now!

Friday morning we will kick off the day with our keynote program featuring Frank Abagnale. Frank Abagnale is the “con man who came in from the cold”. After a five-year international crime spree, he was finally arrested at age 21 for cashing millions in fraudulent checks worldwide and posing as a doctor, lawyer, and airline pilot. Following his five-year prison term, he was released after agreeing to help the FBI as an expert on fraud. His riveting story is the theme of Steven Spielberg’s successful 2002 motion picture, Catch Me if You Can, staring Leonardo DiCaprio as Abagnale. After scheduling Mr. Abagnale to present at our meeting, we were thrilled to hear the play Catch Me if You Can, also produced by Steven Spielberg, will premier on Broadway in the fall of 2008.

Having heard Frank Abagnale at a past dental meeting, I can say with great confidence that his program will prove to be a meaningful experience for all who attend as he shares his true morality tale and takes us from the depths of despair to the triumph of personal redemption. This is certainly one you won’t want to miss! With help from our generous sponsor, JNBA Financial Advisors, we are pleased to continue to offer our keynote program absolutely FREE to all attendees and registered guests.

The exhibit hall will open immediately following the Friday morning keynote. We have extended exhibit hours to allow all attendees an opportunity to experience the showcase of more than 270 companies representing the latest innovations in dentistry. Friday hours are 9:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. and Saturday 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

The Scientific Session Committee has put together an incredible array of the most highly respected speakers in dentistry, who will surely deliver a well balanced program offering something for everyone. Please remember that for the second year, ALL programs will be ticketed. This allows us to set the program rooms appropriately. In a PAID program, ticket holders will have a guaranteed seat indefinitely. In a FREE program, ticket holders will have a guaranteed seat, but ONLY until 10 minutes before the scheduled start time of the program. After this time, all seats will be filled on a first-come, first-served basis.

 Finally, we wouldn’t want to leave out the details of our social gatherings! Friday’s Starlight Celebration will feature live jazz music, a tasty spread of hors d’oeuvres, and a cash bar. Saturday’s Riverfront Reception will capture the spirit of the Mississippi with river-inspired appetizers, live bluegrass music, and a cash bar. Both evenings will provide a perfect opportunity to relax and enjoy good conversation with friends, colleagues, and classmates.

So take a long look, start making plans, book your hotel reservations early, and I hope you can join us for an energizing, educational, fun-filled spring weekend in Saint Paul!

 

*Dr. Knutson is Chair of the Minnesota Dental Association’s Scientific Session Committee. She is a general dentist in private practice in Stillwater, Minnesota.