The 2019 Align Technology Growth Summit takes place in Berlin, Germany on July 4-6. Align Technology is a global medical device company and owns brands such as Invisalign and iTero. Christian Coachman attended the 2018 Align Technology Growth Summit held in Copenhagen and found it to be an inspiring and unique experience in exploring the future of digital dentistry.

He explains why is looking forward to attending the tech giant’s latest industry-leading event. 

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What is the Align Growth Summit?

This three day summit is an opportunity for dentists from across Europe, leaders in their field, to come together in a dynamic and educational networking summit. The Align Technology Growth Summit is a chance for you to meet with, and hear from, world-class inspiring speakers and dentists. We will explore the future of dentistry across Europe; from emerging trends to how to elevate your patients’ experience, move your career and practice forward in an intense three days in the beautiful surroundings of Berlin.

I am really excited about this unique event, only because of the networking possibilities but also because Align are bringing speakers to talk on dentistry, about innovation and how to be ready for the future. Here are four reasons that I’m thrilled to be attending:

1. To understand what's coming in dentistry

Align uses a quote from David Bowie that sums up the take-home message from the 2018 Align Technology Growth Summit: “Tomorrow belongs to those who can hear it coming”

That is exactly what the event speakers, myself included, will be discussing; we all want to understand what is coming in dentistry. This is an opportunity to be a part of a discussion that explores the future, to be ahead of other dentists and to understand where Digital Smile Design is headed.

2. World-leading speakers

With a world-class calibre of speakers, this is a great opportunity to be inspired, challenged and get practical ideas to improve your dental clinic and career. It’s hard to pick out highlights from such a packed program, but here are a few speakers you would you would not expect to see at a dental conference:

• Dr Bertalan Mesko, PHD - Known as The Medical Futurist, Dr Mesko is an expert speaker on how science fiction technologies can become a reality in medicine and in healthcare. 
• Julias van de Laar - Julius is a leading international political strategist and famously worked on the former US President Barack Obama's presidential campaign. He will be speaking on strategies for winning and authentic messages to mobilize your audience. 
• Ruby Wax - Ruby is a former entertainer who is now a specialist in human psychology and behaviour. She will be delivering a vital lecture on mindfulness and how to stay sane in a profession with high levels of anxiety and depression. 

3. Networking with other dentists

It’s not just the speakers on the podium who are leading dentists - the audience are too! The Growth Summit is as much about the conversations you have over coffee (and wine!) as it is about the speakers who deliver lectures. I’m looking forward to being inspired by hanging out with like-minded forward-thinking dentists.

4. Inspiring location

Every Align Technology Growth Summit starts and ends in style. On the first evening, we will be treated to a Pre-Summit Dinner. In the surroundings of the stunning Pullman Hotel Berlin Schweizerhof. On the final evening, we will experience a luxurious Gala Dinner at the Classic Remise, complete with a red carpet and vintage car exhibition.

What will I be presenting?

I am looking forward to presenting on the Saturday program. My topic is DSD, iTero and Invisalign Integration: A New Era. I will be talking about the DSD, iTero and Invisalign integration from a different perspective this time. I’m going to share the technological integration of DSD with Align technology from the perspective of the ten most important concepts that changed my career and professional work.

I am going to be talking about integration utilising:

• Storytelling Technique - How to connect with patients 
• Asynchronous Communication - In digital smile design
• The ‘first movers advantage’ - How this concept can help you grow
• The Beginner’s Mind - How to improve with this idea
• Understanding Exit Strategy - How to create perceived value and real value in our business
• Synchronicity - How this concept is shaping my decisions in my personal and professional life
• Reverse Engineering - How this is the perfect way to explain facial driven dentistry and facial driven comprehensive treatment planning
• Natural Algorithms - The concept that is changing restorative dentistry
• Inbound Marketing - How to use this concept to attract the people we want
• 3D Quality Control - The concept we are creating with DSD and Align