When the founders of the Chicago Dental Society met for the first time, they did so by carriage, train or horseback. They met during the day and used kerosene lamps as the evening encroached. They didn’t have running water or toilets to provide adequate hygiene.
Yet they kept meeting year after year. Debating, learning, improving, uplifting, supporting, creating, and proving to one another that collegiality far out paces secrecy and isolationism. That same undeniable truth is still with us today. Every day.
The Chicago Dental Society does not exist within a vacuum. We exist to provide benefits for our members and associate members (associate members are members outside our tri-county boundary). Our members exist to bring hope to our patients and to one another. However, there is one glaring responsibility of our members…they must show up. Don’t get me wrong, the CDS organization is grateful for your membership and your membership dues. That provides the spark that we need to persevere and flourish. What we really, really want is for you to show up.
Yet they kept meeting year after year.
First, the Branch Season is upon us. Five to six meetings a year. Yes, they’re on a Tuesday evening. Yes, we know you work that evening, or you must help the children with homework, or that you might feel awkward going to a new experience. We all have issues with time constraints and I can appreciate that. Often, the only hard part is sending that “Yes, I will attend” email or phone call. Take that chance. Open those doors. I can only speak of my own experience, yet when I traveled those 20 miles to my South Suburban Branch meetings, it was with great pride and enthusiasm that I became a part of something bigger that I knew would make me a better person, and a better clinician. I was usually early, and always the last one to leave. I enjoyed the honesty, the opportunity, and most importantly, the collegiality. It was priceless, and it still is. Over the last few years, the CDS Board has committed time, resources, and effort to improve each one of our nine branches. Please come see what we have done. We want to see you. We want your insights and we want to hear your concerns. We want to help.
Let’s not forget about our CDS Regional Meetings! These half day events are designed just for you and continue to be a huge draw for us. With breakfast provided and great speakers to boot, this is a win, win for all CDS Members and their staff. In addition, we also have a Virtual Webinar that takes place in early summer. I hope you are starting to see the light…You have to show up!!
The CDS also provides a yearly event for our Early Career Dentists (10 year in practice or less). Typically, in August and always a delight. If you fit that category, we hope to see you next August. In addition, we are hard at work on next year’s CDS Family Event. This year, we had a near perfect day at the Brookfield Zoo. Thanks, to everyone who helped make that happen and to those that attended!
Over the last few years, the CDS Board has committed time, resources, and effort to improve each one of our nine branches.
Finally, the registration for the 2027 CDS Midwinter is now upon us! This must be the single most important benefit that you have because of your CDS membership. FREE registration!! No hidden costs. No ‘bait and switch’. Free. I’ve been to many dental meetings across the U.S. and Canada, and we are the unicorn. It’s free to members, so enjoy that opportunity. Sure, it’s a hassle to come downtown at 8:00am on a weekday. (We provide FREE bus transportation to and from McCormick Place from Union Station and the Ogilvie Station). Sure, it’s on a workday. (Come on! One day with us and it can change your life!). Sure, Saturday is my ‘Family Day’, or workday! (Bring the kids, the spouse and make a day of it!). For every reason you can produce, we’ll give you 20 more that will outweigh any issues you have. The dedication and effort to bring a worldclass event like the Midwinter Meeting to Chicago is a monumental task. It is a remarkable 3 days and here’s the only necessity…You have to show up. It will make you happy, the CDS Board happy, and our Exhibitors happy. Learn about the latest and greatest products and techniques. Visit with your old friends and meet some new ones. Participate in any one of our great daytime or nighttime activities. Let your staff experience the grandeur of this country’s greatest dental meeting. You’ll come back to your office refreshed, rejuvenated, and reenergized!! All in exchange for showing up.
So, let’s make the 2027 CDS Midwinter Meeting (February 25-27) the three-day event on your calendar the most important three days for you and your office. You owe it to yourself, your staff, and to your colleagues. We look forward to seeing you. Did I mention that registration is free for members and associate members?
For every reason you can produce, we’ll give you 20 more that will outweigh any issues you have.