From Cologne, Auf Wiedersehen!

It has been a great time here in Germany. I have learned a great deal, seen some amazing new products (which we will be detailing in upcoming issues of Proofs, Dental Economics, and Dental Assisting Digest, as well as other enewsletters). I've had the chance to reconnect with old friends and make new ones. Best of all, I have had the chance to get a sneak peek at what may be some of the hottest products to be introduced later in the year. It is all good.

So what are my final thoughts on Cologne? Here are my top 5...

1. What recession? The economy was talked about time and time again, but you certainly couldn't tell it from the hall floor. Business was good. People were energetic and positive. Life seemed good. The positive effects from Chicago carried over here, and I'll be anxious to see what things are like when most of us reconvene in California for the Spring CDA. I'll also have the chance to visit a smaller state show next weekend while I go to Portland for the Oregon Dental Conference (I'm speaking on going green in the dental office, so please stop by if you'll be at the show).

2. FDA approval knocks a lot of products out of the U.S., and maybe that is not such a bad thing.

3. The IDS will never be able to be replicated in the U.S. Never. No one should try because the American mindset of a trade show is so different than here. Can you imagine dental teams going to trade shows in the U.S. without speakers or CE opportunities?

4. IDS is a dealer show, not a show for dentists. This is where international deals are made, continued, and broken. You can save a lot of travel time and make a lot more contacts by coming to Cologne every other year than traveling around the world shaking hands.

5. Live dentistry and adult beverages draw crowds into the booth. If you've never had a Kolsch, you should try it. I don't like beer, and I don't think the Kolsch tastes so bad (I am not sure if that is a ringing endorsement or not, but it's my honest opinion).

Thanks again for reading my blogs. You'll see more about Cologne in the June issue of Proofs, as well as other PennWell magazines and e-newsletters.

America, brace yourself ... I am coming home.