“The Midwinter Meeting will offer unmatched opportunities to learn, grow and connect”

Dr Philip L. Schefke cast the 2026 Chicago Dental Society Midwinter Meeting as an unmissable opportunity for dental professionals and companies, combining cutting-edge education, an expansive exhibit floor and enhanced experiences for both attendees and exhibitors.

Dr Schefke, the 2026 Midwinter Meeting is introducing several enhancements to the attendee experience. What inspired these changes, and what can attendees look forward to?
The 2026 enhancements were inspired by feedback from our attendees and exhibitors. We listened closely to that feedback and looked for ways to make the event even more seamless and engaging for everyone. From the start, attendees will notice a smoother and faster registration experience, thanks to a new online system and badge printing process. They will be able to print their badges at one of many on-site stations or at one of the three participating hotels: Hyatt Regency Chicago, Hyatt Regency McCormick Place Chicago and Marriott Marquis Chicago.

We have also added four relax-and-recharge stations, two new grab-and-go marketplaces, and eight coffee and water stations to keep attendees fuelled and refreshed. Attendees can also look forward to the reimagined Experience CDS Booth, a vibrant hub where they will be able to connect with peers, re-energise with coffee, shop for exclusive merchandise and even get a complimentary professional head shot. Every improvement has been made with comfort, convenience and connection in mind for all attendees and exhibitors.

The exhibit hall too is being reimagined for 2026, featuring new interactive experiences such as Hadley’s Hounds Pet Park and on-site live mural creation. What are you most excited about in the redesigned exhibit hall?
The exhibit hall is always a favourite among attendees, and in 2026, it will be even bigger and more engaging than in previous years. What excites me most is the new layout, which provides room for more exhibitors, more refreshments and more surprises. From the grab-and-go marketplaces to the relax-and-recharge lounges, attendees and exhibitors will have more options for refuelling while in the hall to enjoy and explore the latest dental innovations and interactive destinations.

What I think will become a new favourite for all attendees is Hadley’s Hounds Pet Park. Who doesn’t love a puppy break? Between the puppies, the exhibitors, the expanded networking opportunities, more places to relax and recharge, and the live mural design, the exhibit hall will be an exciting destination.

How will the 2026 exhibit hall better serve both returning and first-time attendees?
Boasting more than 400 exhibitors, including over 35 first-time exhibitors, the new exhibit hall has been designed to deliver an exceptional experience for every attendee. It will offer an expansive showcase of cutting-edge products, innovative technologies and trusted solutions from hundreds of leading dental companies.

First-time exhibitors will bring unique and innovative technology, while returning favourites will showcase the trusted products and advancements that dental professionals know and love. Attendees will be able to explore a wide range of exhibits and touch, test and compare the latest products and innovations first hand, helping them bring the highest level of care to their patients. Through these opportunities and the aforementioned enhancements, the exhibit hall will create a dynamic and comfortable environment for all attendees.

“The exhibit hall is always a favourite among attendees, and in 2026, it will be even bigger and more engaging than in previous years.”

The 2026 Midwinter Meeting will offer more than 230 accredited continuing education  courses, including hands-on workshops and a wide range of topics for every dental team member. How did CDS curate the educational programme to meet the needs of such a diverse community?
The 2026 Midwinter Meeting will once again deliver one of the largest and most trusted scientific programmes in dentistry, offering courses and workshops designed to meet the needs of every member of the dental team. Curating such a comprehensive programme for a diverse audience requires years of planning and research. The CDS team invests significant time scouting for the best speakers at other major meetings, conducting in-depth evaluations and identifying the emerging trends that matter most to dental professionals.

This rigorous process ensures that the scientific programme accurately reflects the latest advancements in the dental industry and covers a wide range of topics, including restorative dentistry, hygiene, paediatric care and office management. In one weekend, dental professionals and their teams can sharpen their skills and improve their practice. While dentists advance their restorative techniques, hygienists can enhance their scaling techniques and office managers can learn new processes to run a smoother office. By blending foundational knowledge with cutting-edge practices, we can provide opportunities for every member of the dental team to advance his or her skills and enhance patient care.

The networking opportunities during the Midwinter Meeting are always a highlight. Which events or experiences would you recommend to attendees who want to make the most of their networking?
Networking and camaraderie are always a highlight of the Midwinter Meeting, and the 2026 event will offer more opportunities than ever to connect. Attendees will be able to take advantage of exclusive Midwinter Meeting events such as the Smile and Shine Hygienist Luncheon; the Dental Student Reception; the Friday Night Bash; the President’s Dinner Dance; daily mindfulness and wellness yoga sessions; Pop-In for Garrett Popcorn and Sips, Suds & Sales happy hour in the exhibit hall; and the keynote session featuring Chicago Blackhawks legend and Hockey Hall of Famer Chris Chelios. These events are a perfect way to meet and engage with other dental professionals or to bond with your dental team.

New to the 2026 Midwinter Meeting are dedicated lounges for early-career dentists and international attendees, providing spaces to network with like-minded professionals or recharge after a full day of attending courses and exploring the exhibit floor. In addition to the Midwinter Meeting exclusive events and offerings, general networking opportunities will be held on-site at McCormick Place and at other great venues across the city of Chicago.

For those who may not have attended in recent years—or ever—what would you say to encourage them to make the Midwinter Meeting a priority on their calendar this February?
Tens of thousands of dental professionals and teams will travel from all 50 US states and around the world to attend the Midwinter Meeting. If you haven’t attended recently—or ever—2026 is the year you don’t want to miss.

For the 2026 Midwinter Meeting, CDS is once again raising the bar with innovative programming and impactful new enhancements made with attendees and exhibitors in mind. Combining cutting-edge continuing education, hands-on workshops, and a robust and expansive exhibit floor showcasing the latest in dental technology, the Midwinter Meeting will offer unmatched opportunities to learn, grow and connect. Whether you’re looking to elevate your clinical skills, explore new products or network with peers and industry leaders, the 2026 Midwinter Meeting is a must-attend event for all dental professionals and companies.