Travel day 1

A flying visit to the Crowne Plaza at the Birmingham NEC, where my former client Dr. John Rees is presenting the Aesthetic Dental Congress and we have a stand. Arriving at 9.00pm, I bump into Jon and the amazing Dr. Bob in reception. Dr.Bob (he is now a brand, no longer a person) looks his usual Stallone- like self, I cannot help but admire the self-promotional work he has done and, like me, he is controversial and doesn’t mind expressing his opinion. Jon tells me that, with 600 through the door on day one, he is well pleased with this first congress – set to become an annual event. Dr. Alun Rees will be manning our stand, as I have to dash to Edinburgh this morning (don’t ask) and hopefully pick up a certain football game at some stage. It’sgood to chat with Alun for an hour over a soda and lime and update him on our own development plans. Nice to bump into a few clients, even during my brief visit here. Dental conferencing is changing – the ADI, BACD, WAC and now this outfit are introducing a carefully thought out alternative to the usual Showcase/BDA choices. Of course, there will be dilution and conference fatigue – of both exhibitors and attendees – but the competition will be good for the profession.