AADOM really knows how to get a conference started

The group officially kicked off its seventh annual conference Friday morning with a performance from Senior Vice President Lorie Streeter and other AADOM members. Streeter took the stage dressed as Lady Gaga with her own rendition of bad romance before she moved on a song a bit more appropriate for Nashville-Gretchen Wilson’s I’m here for the party.

This opening number got attendees on their feet, ready to begin the day. Founder and President Heather Colicchio then introduced this year’s speakers and exhibitors, bringing them all up on stage. This year’s exhibitors include Patterson Dental, Care Credit, Mercury Data Exchange, 1-800 Dentist, XLDent, Demandforce, Henry Schein and Jameson Management, among many others. Lois Banta, Rita Zamora, Rachel Wall and Ginny Hegarty are among this year’s speakers.

Before the more than 400 attendees split off into their morning sessions, Colicchio took a few minutes to recognize Kim McQueen of Patterson Dental for all the support she’s given the organization over the years.

The energized group had many courses to choose from for the morning session, including Intro to Facebook Marketing for your Practice, Getting the Dollars off the Books and Front Office Superstar.  

Kathy Metaxas talked to attendees about the importance of their role in the practice and hit on a variety of topics, including communication, practice image, telephone techniques, reason for return and managing difficult patients. She also stressed the importance of attendees taking back what they learn this weekend, sharing it with their team and working with the doctor to start a plan to implement changes.

“To make a difference, it’s all up to you,” she said. “You are the ears of the practice. You are the voice of the practice. You have to find the time to do a presentation with highlights of what you’ve learned during the meeting and share that with the team. “

Attendees had even more to take back with them after Friday afternoon’s sessions.