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Annual Meeting.       Overview
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DTA's 2008 Annual Meeting: July 22 - 25

"Signals of Change"

Please join us for the DTA Annual Meeting at the La Costa Resort in Carlsbad, California. The Annual Meeting Program Committee has developed a program to help you and your business meet the challenges of a rapidly changing market. And the activities beyond our educational events will provide great opportunities for networking, plus fun and entertainment as well.

What can be more certain in our industry than "change?" DTA will help you prepare for the challenges of change in the dental marketplace with an exciting program at our 2008 Annual Meeting.


Activities begin with an opening reception and dinner on Tuesday, July 22nd. The final activity on Friday the 25th includes a private room at the Del Mar Race Track, with a concert following the races. This will be a fun afternoon for attendees of all ages! Learn more on our activities page. Network with colleagues while having fun.

Raffle for the DTA Foundation

iPhone 3G could be won via the DTAF raffle. This not-yet-released iPhone could be yours if you purchase raffle tickets, whose proceeds benefit the DTA Foundation. If you choose to make your purchase in advance, your tickets will be enclosed with your registration materials at the meeting. In addition, your badge will have a sticker that shows you have already contributed to the Raffle.

See what you could win!

Program - "Signals of Change"

What can be more certain in our industry than "change"? DTA will help you prepare for the changing dental marketplace with an exciting program with the theme of "Signals of Change". See the entire educational program.

Speakers

Professor Clayton Christensen.Opening Speaker is Professor Clayton Christensen.
Innovation, Technologies, and Business Authority

Clayton M. Christensen is a professor at the Harvard Business School. His research and teachings center on managing innovation and creating new growth markets. A seasoned entrepreneur, Professor Christensen has founded three companies: CPS Corporation, a successful advanced materials manufacturing company; Innosight, a consulting and training business; and Innosight Capital that he launched with the Boston Consulting Group. Clayton has co-authored five books including the New York Times best sellers, "The Innovator's Dilemma" and "The Innovator's Solution". He served as an assistant to the US Transportation Secretaries Drew Lewis and Elizabeth Dole.
Link to www.claytonchristensen.com/ for more information.



Christopher Gardner - Annual Meeting Speaker.Closing Speaker is Christopher Gardner.
A Rags-to-Riches Story: From Homelessness to Wall Street

This is an amazing story of how Gardner went from being homeless to being on Wall Street, and starting his own institutional brokerage firm which has expanded into Christopher Gardner International Holdings. His rags to riches autobiography "The Pursuit of Happyness" became a New York Times and Washington Post #1 bestseller. It was recently made into a popular major motion picture starring Will Smith. Gardner is also a humanitarian; he's a board member of the National Fatherhood Initiative, and the National Education Foundation, and works with additional groups. He has been featured on TV on “Evening News with Dan Rather,” “20/20,” “Oprah,” “Today Show,” and more, plus he's been profiled in numerous newspapers and magazines.
Link to www.chrisgardnermedia.com for more information.


Activities

There will be a wide variety of sport and social events during the meeting. Some require additional fees and separate registration. Materials describing these activities are included. Immediately following the golf and tennis tournaments there will be a reception at the golf facility. Food and drink will be available for the sports awards ceremony. All attendees are welcome to attend the reception and awards.

See the 2008 Activity page for more information!

We'll have our golf tournament, tennis, plus a special guided tour of the USS Midway.
LaCosta golf course - south hole #9. USS Midway.


See our 2008 Activity page for more information on all activities!

Wednesday evening features a special "drive-in movie" night at La Costa, showing "Pursuit of Happyness", the movie inspired by Christopher Gardner, our closing speaker. You'll view the movie on an enormous 12 foot inflatable screen, complete with state-of-the-art sound. Traditional movie food fare buffet will be available. Enjoy popcorn, candy, hotdogs and drinks - including adult beverages!


Experience the thrill of sailing a first class, multi-million dollar, technically-advanced IACC authentic America's Cup Class racing yacht! Participants will experience the thrill of vistory as they sail with America's Cup crewmembers.

Wild Animal Park "Photo Caravan" Tour
Kids of all ages will love viewing animals from an open truck with a guide. San Diego Zoo photos.

Del Mar Races. An Afternoon at the Races

Join fellow DTA members on a trip to the Del Mar Thoroughbred Club Race Track, "playground for the stars", where the famous Seabiscuit-Ligaroti match race took place in 1938.

Kids and Teens

There are planned activities for the children and young adults who accompany you to the meeting. La Costa resort activities for young kids. Dinner and supervised activities are planned on Tuesday evening during the opening reception and on Thursday evening during the closing dinner. The fee for these two evening events is included in the registration for your child.

There will be activities that are age appropriate for two groups. For those 3 to 12 years of age, there's Kidtopia - 6,000 square feet of world-class adventure. Youngsters can follow an activity path through a magical forest, observe sea creatures in an "underwater" wonderland, dance on an interactive lighted game floor and much more.

For the 12 - 17 set, Vibz is an exclusive teen lounge. An ultra-cool "mine" design gives it an underground vibe. Vibz is designed to give teens a place of their own to kick back, make friends, and enjoy lots of high-tech games and activities.

If you require baby-sitting services, please contact the hotel directly at 800-854-5000.

See the 2008 Activity page for more information on all Annual Meeting Activities!

Location and Transportation for La Costa Resort and Spa


  • Located north of San Diego, in Carlsbad, California
  • Minutes from shopping, dining, beaches and San Diego attractions
  • 35 miles to the San Diego International Airport (SAN)
  • 50 miles to Orange County John Wayne Airport (SNA)
  • 90 miles to Los Angeles and Los Angeles International Airport (LAX)
  • Approximately two hours to Palm Springs
Taxi and rental car services are available at the airports serving La Costa Resort.

Weather

Summer weather at La Costa is warm and should be pleasant. Expect day time temperatures in the 70's. Evenings and nights can be cool. Jackets and sweaters are a good idea. Remember, some of our evening events are outside.

Dress Code

The dress code for the meeting is resort casual. Jackets and ties are not required for gentlemen.

Auction

The DTA Auction will be held on Thursday immediately before the closing dinner. The Auction will feature a vast array of donated items on which to bid. Hors d'oeuvres and cocktails will be served.

Concierge Services

For information and activity reservations: 800-854-5000. The Concierge at La Costa can assist you with information about hotel activities, hotel amenities, recreational opportunities and more. Contact the La Costa Concierge at: concierge@lacosta.com.
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