The 2026 Midwinter Meeting features new enhancements

“Our attendees and exhibitors come from all 50 states and from around the world, and we care deeply about their Midwinter Meeting experience,” said Dr Philip Schefke, incoming president of the Chicago Dental Society. “We listened to what our attendees and exhibitors had to say, and this year, attendees and exhibitors will be very pleased to see and experience many new enhancements.”

An enhanced pre-event experience

The event’s digital infrastructure has been significantly upgraded for attendees, speakers and exhibitors alike. Attendees can more easily search the online course catalogue by topic or specialty, speakers benefit from a streamlined speaker portal for uploading course details and exhibitors can manage booth bookings and sponsorships through a new exhibitor portal. These front- and back-end improvements are designed to deliver a smoother, more intuitive experience across all touchpoints.

“No longer will attendees need to keep track of their badge in the months or weeks leading up to the Midwinter Meeting. Instead of being mailed badges, attendees will simply scan a code and print their badge immediately at one of many kiosks on-site or at one of three participating hotels,” said Dr Schefke.

A more immersive event experience

The Midwinter Meeting exhibit hall is the largest of its kind in North America. This year, a redesigned layout will introduce additional amenities and comfort areas aimed at keeping attendees refreshed, energised and focused—allowing them to spend more time exploring product innovations and engaging in interactive experiences. New highlights include relax-and-recharge lounges and multiple beverage stations throughout the hall, as well as Hadley’s Hounds Pet Park and the Graffiti Wall.

Exhibitors too will benefit from a number of new features this year. Alongside the new exhibitor portal, the exhibit hall will offer expanded amenities, increased comfort areas and additional sponsorship opportunities. To prioritise convenience for exhibitors, amenities will be distributed throughout the exhibit hall. In addition to the relax-and-recharge lounges, two new grab-and-go marketplaces will provide easy access to coffee, water and food, allowing exhibitors to access refreshments during breaks without leaving the hall or waiting in long queues.

Dr Scott Smoron, exhibit hall committee chair for this year’s Midwinter Meeting, noted that Hadley’s Hounds Pet Park is anticipated to draw substantial crowds for puppy interactions, while the Graffiti Wall will showcase a local artist creating a mural throughout the event. Both features are projected to drive significant foot traffic and provide memorable experiences for attendees.

More information about the event can be found here.