Spring Has Spring... and So Has Meeting Season!
With so many meetings taking place, we are dying to get your feedback!
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Take a quick moment to complete an anonymous survey about a conference you've been to recently! |
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What's Happening?
Grab a beverage; we have packed this one full of some good stuff. Here's what you can find in this month's newsletter:
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- DPM Tricks of the Trade - Facts Tell, Stories Sell
- DPM Poll - Vote on Your Favorite Virtual Platform
- Practice Partner Academy Updates - Last Chance to win $250!
- Sponsor Spotlight: The History & Impact of DARCO International
- Exhibitor Tricks of the Trade - Are You Wasting Your Marketing Budget?
- Meeting Planner Tricks of the Trade - The Importance of Coaching Your Speakers
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Take this poll and you will be entered to WIN $100!
We want to know...
What brand of OTC orthotic do you prefer to provide to your patients?
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TRICKS OF THE TRADE - Tips for DPMs
Facts Tell, Stories Tell
Sarah Breymeier
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We've all sat in lectures that make our eyelids somehow get heavier.... and heavier... and heavier. BORING. BORING LECTURES. Right?
Obviously, we can't control what the speaker is presenting, but if you are a presenter - whether it be to an audience at a meeting or your patients - you have to make it engaging. Stats are great, and they back up your claims so don't eliminate them, but they don't keep people hooked. Everyone loves a good story, though!
I've always preached, "Facts Tell, Stories Sell" (also, I'm not taking credit for that phrase - I heard it somewhere several years ago and it stuck... what can I say, I'm a sucker for rhymes"), but I was recently listening to a podcast that emphasized this concept. The science behind it was that our brains make sense of the world through narratives. I am currently on an internet hunt to remember what podcast that was (when I find it I'll let you know!), but until then... check out this article:
So, if you are regularly creating content for a meeting, use this natural communication style to not only engage your audience, but to truly increase their understanding. I suppose it could be a domino effect - if I'm engaged, it's more likely I'll comprehend, right?
Not a speaker at meetings? That's OK, because you know who you do speak to every single day? PATIENTS! You do not have to be a salesman to prescribe cash services (or any service for that matter) or OTCs like moisturizers and orthotics.
Instead of telling a patient about the mitochondria of a cell for laser therapy.... tell them about the patient who had to quit their local hiking club until he got 6 treatments of laser therapy; now he's back on the trails living his best life... if you have a more emotional story than that, by all means, use it!
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Speak Up, DPMs!
Pick Your Platform
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We've all had plenty of time to experience online/virtual webinars and events.
As we continue to schedule more virtual/online events and consult with meeting planners, we want to know which of these two platforms you prefer: Zoom Meetings or GoToWebinar?
Which online meeting/meeting platform do you like best?
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Choose Your Favorite Below
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YOUNG PHYSICIANS PANEL
Take this quick survey and be entered to win!
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We want to know more about what draws you to a particular conference and anything else related to your experience at podiatric conferences.
By collecting your feedback, we are better equipped to share ideas and solutions with meeting planners so they can organize events with you in mind. Help us understand you better! CLICK HERE
We select a new winner every month from the list of survey participants... some seriously great prizes!
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You've got one more chance this month to attend a session and be entered to win a $250 Amazon gift card from Ann & Sarah.
TONIGHT, April 28th at 8PM EST
Offloading & Early Intervention:
What to look for in patients with neuropathy and DFUs
Presented by Myra Varnado, BS, RN, CWON, CFCN
Use the poll below to let us know that you want the Zoom Login information to attend this online special presentation.
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PLEASE EMAIL ME THE LOGIN INFORMATION FOR TONIGHT'S PRESENTATION
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I can't make it, but please send me the link to the recording later.
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UPCOMING SESSIONS INCLUDE:
Practice Management and Minimally Invasive Surgery
Presented by TJ Ahn, DPM
May 4th @ 8pm EST
Marketing & Patient Education for Laser Therapy & Cash Services
Presented by David Zuckerman, DPM & Sarah Breymeier
May 9th @ 8pm EST
Top 5 Reasons to Start (or Re-start) Your Bracing Program and How to Decrease Medicare Compliance Fears
Presented by Doug Richie, DPM
May 16th @ 8pm EST
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Tonight's Practice Partner Academy
is sponsored by...
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DARCO International
Committed to the promotion and education of physicians engaged foot & ankle treatment throughout the world.
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Darco International was founded in 1985 by H. Darrel Darby, DPM, to address a clinical dilemma he was facing with his post-operative patients. As soon as his patients made the transition from their wooden sole post-op shoes to more flexible footwear he noticed a marked decrease in edema. The difficulty was how to provide enough flexibility to jump-start the healing process while at the same time providing the support that is required post-operatively.
His efforts to solve this problem resulted in the Darco Med-Surg™ Shoe. The Darco Shoe was the first post-op shoe to use a semi-rigid sole that provides the compression and shock absorption desired for faster healing while supporting the metatarsals with its patented, MetaShank™ construction. The results were dramatic, both in terms of patient satisfaction and post-op performance, and the Darco Med-Surg™ Shoe became and remains the industry standard.
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In the thirty years since the founding of the company, Darco has continued to innovate. Products such as the OrthoWedge™, Toe Alignment Splint™, Wound Care Shoe System™ and the PegAssist™ off-loading insoles continue to raise the standard of care for patients around the world. The company’s commitment to meeting the needs of both foot surgeons and patients is as strong today as it was in 1985.
Darco remains a strong supporter of foot surgery education. A percentage of all US domestic sales are earmarked for medical education in the form of student scholarships. The company’s European offices sponsor international meetings that bring together top foot surgeons from the USA and Europe to share techniques while encouraging interdisciplinary dialogue.
In 2022 and beyond, Darco will continue to focus on the foot and ankle and to provide the best in surgical, trauma and wound care solutions to foot & ankle specialists worldwide.
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TRICKS OF THE TRADE - Tips for Exhibitors
Are you wasting your marketing budget?
Ann Dosen
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Sarah and I believe that marketing dollars are never wasted. The difference is, sometimes you pay for impact and sales, other times you pay for lessons. I'm giving Sarah the credit for that genius line, it sounds like something she would say.
Marketing is more art than science. Sometimes, a "throw it all at the wall and see what sticks" approach is best. Recently, one of our sponsors asked us if we could test two different ads. Yes! Let's do it! There are many ways you can test ads, emails, and other content. Experiment with different ideas and concepts to see what is delivering results. Work with your media outlets to see what works.
Marketing is expensive. Invest the time, as well as the dollars, to create fresh content and ad design. Don't tell your advertising channels to "just use whatever we used last time." That's the #1 way to throw money in the trash can. If the last ad performed well and you can verify that with click reports and contact capturing lead pages, then, by all means, run it again! But if you're just guessing - STOP. Take the time to evaluate the effectiveness and build the proper landing pages and other tools so you don't have to guess next time.
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RECEIVE 25% OFF YOUR CANODYNE CBD
ORDER WHEN YOU USE CODE: PODMTG
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FEATURED MEETING
2022 International MIFAS Cadaver Lab Workshop
July 15 - 16 | Rosemont, IL | 13 CECH
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Learn the core techniques of minimally invasive foot and ankle surgery from pioneers of the profession and experts who have revolutionized their practices.
MIFAS is a two-day exclusive MIS surgical “skill-up” opportunity. Directed by TJ Ahn, DPM, this cadaver lab has renowned faculty drawn from around the world who will provide direct and immediate feedback to enhance your core foundation skills.
You are guaranteed hands-on training with your own cadaver leg specimen to maximize your learning experience.
Watch TJ Ahn, DPM in the video below to get a detailed preview of this unique, hands-on event!
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Learning Objectives Include: |
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- Describe normal and pathologic foot & ankle deformities.
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- Describe and perform a physical exam, radiographic analysis, and then determine and identify non-operative and operative treatment plans.
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- Describe and perform minimally invasive surgical techniques for correcting deformities including, but not limited to, the following: exostosis, hammer toes, bunions, tailor’s bunions, lesser metatarsal deformities, tendon balancing issues, and rearfoot conditions.
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- Entire teaching faculty will instruct you in hands-on techniques with cadavers that you can take to your practice and expand your armamentarium of knowledge and treatments.
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Register before 4/30/22
and save $300!
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Speak Up, Exhibitors!
Are You Really Feeling Heard?
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You may have seen some recent emails from us encouraging you to get involved with our Experienced Exhibitor© Mastermind.
We have been running exhibitor focus groups to share and brainstorm a myriad of topics when it comes to having a great (or sometimes not so great) meeting. Our goal is to share this valuable feedback with meeting planners in an effort to ensure both parties are doing everything it takes to achieve success.
Last Fall, we got a TON OF INSIGHT! And we did what we set out to do... we shared it with the meeting planners that are ready and excited to hear what you've got to say. However, we just ran another session this week, and one of the general perceptions is that exhibitors still may have a sense of "distrust" when it comes to feeling like meeting planners truly care about what they need.
Without getting into too much detail... we want to know....
Now that we're back to in-person meetings, and a lot has changed for everyone involved.... do you feel that meeting organizers are listening to exhibitor feedback?
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Choose the response that you feel is most true for you:
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Meetings seem to be more open, recently, to hearing what exhibitors need.
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I haven't seen a change in the way meetings accommodate exhibitors.
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WANT TO SHARE MORE?
Join the Experienced Exhibitor Mastermind Group!
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Theme: They're listening; now we need to do our part
Topics to discuss: Our conference partners are listening to our feedback from you and taking the collective ideas seriously! Now, we need to help them get it right. We'll discuss how to create FOMO for on-site events, marketing tactics, add-on exhibitor showcase events (i.e product/innovation theaters), how to grab attendees' attention at your booth and much more.
Purpose: We collect data, surveys, feedback and ideas to share with podiatric continuing education organizations so they are able to make positive changes to their events that will benefit both attendees and exhibitors. This will NOT a meeting bash fest. The goal is to come up ideas, suggestions, and to offer feedback on what works. We certainly are open to hearing what patterns or traditions are no longer producing results, but if we simply hosted a complaint forum with no solutions, we would just be spinning our wheels.
Special thanks to the Florida Podiatric Medical Association, Kent St. University Continuing Education, and the Texas Podiatric Medical Association for supporting this project.
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DPM Volunteers Needed
Participate in something great... and earn credits!
From June 4-11, in Orlando, Florida, the 2022 Special Olympics USA Games will unite more than 5,500 athletes and coaches from all 50 states and the Caribbean during one of the country’s most cherished sporting events. Be part of history by serving as a Healthy Athletes volunteer for the largest USA Games event ever!
Podiatrists with current licensure as well as Podiatry Residents, Podiatry Students are invited to provide much needed services to our athletes.
Fit Feet offers screenings to evaluate ankles, feet, lower extremity biomechanics, and proper shoe and sock gear to participating athletes. The discipline helps Special Olympics athletes step lively on the playing field and in everyday life. Up to half of Special Olympics athletes suffer from foot and ankle pain or deformities that impair their performance.
Volunteer podiatrists work with athletes to evaluate problems of the feet, ankles, and lower extremity biomechanics.
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90-DAY MEETING OUTLOOK
Click below to see industry events for the given month.
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TRICKS OF THE TRADE - Tips for Meeting Planners
The Importance of Coaching Your Speakers
Ann Dosen
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Now, more than ever, conferences must deliver dynamic, engaging content to grab attendees' attention - and keep it. Whether your meeting is in-person or delivered online, meeting planners should work closely with their faculty and coach them on ways to ensure their lecture provides value.
Online seminars struggle with this even more. Consider your presenter's volume, lighting, background, and presentation slides. Ensure they have a stable internet connection or consider pre-recording. PRO TIP: if you decide to pre-record, enlist the help of other faculty to form a mini-audience that will encourage the speaker to be energetic while recording.
If you have sponsors that are investing dollars in a non-CECH session or workshop, this is crucial. Attendees will take a break and leave the session if the sponsored content is sleepy. Encourage the speaker to provide top-notch value that the attendee will appreciate even if they don't use their products or services. Include panels, polls, spontaneous Q&A sessions, and other interactive elements.
Work with your sponsor so they understand the importance of this to maximize value/ROI.
Remember, if their session is not well-attended and considered a success, they will blame you. Unfortunate, but true.
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NEED A LOT OF CREDITS?
Check out the meeting list below which, according to their official websites, provide 16+ CECH.
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The meetings listed below take place from May - July
NOTE: Details regarding podiatric meetings listed in this newsletter and on PodiatryMeetings.com may not be complete nor are they guaranteed accuracy. Please visit each meeting’s official website or contact each meeting’s organizer for official, complete details and registration rates.
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MEETING SHOUT-OUT
Stepping Forward-Leading the Way
Podiatry Institute Women's Conference | Las Vegas
May 12-15
Organized by Women, for Women
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NEED CREDITS NOW?
Don't Forget About Your On-Demand Credit Opportunities
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PodiatryMeetings.com presents information about upcoming podiatric events, featured podiatry vendors, exhibiting and travel tips, and more!
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