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Dykema, the leading law firm in dental services, hosted its 10th Annual Definitive Conference for DSOs on July 19-21, 2023, at the Gaylord Rockies Resort & Convention Center.
Brian Colao, Member & Director of DSO Industry Group at Dykema, kicked off the 2023 meeting to a standing-room-only crowd with some pyrotechnics. He welcomed the attendees with a retrospective of the Summit, highlighting its early days, challenges, successes, and growth. As Dykema’s original media partner, Group Dentistry Now appreciated a couple of shout-outs during the historical overview.
Passionate about educating single and group practice owners, PE groups, DSO management, DSO lenders, and dental vendors on the intricacies of the DSO model and the opportunities that exist for them in the changing DSO space, Brian shined on stage.
The meeting has come a long way. It began as a simple event in 2014, with 41 attendees and a single speaker. The now epic event topped out at 1847 (1987 registered) attendees, making it the largest DSO event for both Dykema and the DSO industry. They also had 152 sponsors, another conference record. (Check out the photo gallery below.)
The Dykema team continues to build on the momentum they have created over the past decade and have made the event better and more impactful each year. Flawlessly executed, they have built an enviable legacy. Everyone with whom Group Dentistry Now spoke said it was a huge success.
Unlike past Dykema meetings, it seems like the traditional dental media may have finally discovered the DSO industry, with many mainstream publications present at this event for the first time.
Some event highlights:
- Panels and presentations featuring some of the industry’s leaders, including Steve Thorne, Pat Bauer, Steve Bilt, Guy Amini and Bob Fontana.
- 2023 Dental Titan Award presented to Patrick J. Hayes III, Chairman & CEO, Thurston Group
- Four pre-conference workshops including marketing, scaling, M&A, and technology topics.
- Eight breakout sessions, including legal, lending, HR compliance, real estate, cyber security, accounting, patient financing, and associate productivity topics.
- Dinner and reception under the stars
- Ever-growing presence of dental technology companies.
- Professional headshot studio
(Click here for the full event agenda.)
“The 2023 Dykema Conference was a huge success with nearly 2000 people in attendance, which represents both a Dykema and DSO industry record. This year was really special because it marked our 10-year anniversary, and it was incredible to see the growth of the event from 41 people in 2014 to nearly 2000 in 2023 and to see that the event is now widely regarded as the very best in the DSO industry.” – Brian Colao, Director of Dykema’s DSO Industry Group
If great content and networking aren’t enough, Dykema always has something up its sleeve when it comes to inspirational speakers and entertainment.
This year, Dykema welcomed Andre Agassi, the legendary tennis pro and education advocate, as their keynote speaker. Belinda Carlisle, Go-Go’s Co-Founder and Lead Vocalist and a Rock & Roll Hall of Fame artist, was the headlining musical guest. The Spazmatics were welcomed back as the opening musical act. Unfortunately, due to inclement weather, Colorado’s Largest Drone Show experience was postponed until next year as the entertainment was moved indoors.
Seeing industry peers and making new contacts is one of the top reasons why attendees return to Dykema’s conference year after year. As we look to next year, the 11th Annual Definitive Conference for DSOs will be back in Aurora, Colorado, at the Gaylord Rockies Resort & Convention Center from July 10th to July 12th.
Dykema hit it out of the park with great content and meaningful, abundant networking opportunities. They have set the bar high for other industry shows.
Kudos to Brian and his team for a memorable and flawlessly executed 2023 event.
PHOTO GALLERY:
