Flying home from the 3rd Annual CEREC Owners Symposium, I was thinking about how I once again had the chance to be in front of my peers. But this time, the stakes were higher, much higher because this was the cream of the crop of CEREC owners. These guys know their stuff and there was no way I could get anything by them. And there were a lot of them. Again, I had to walk to the edge of the cliff, but this time I had some tools to use and much-needed support from my wife. She saw my determination to make this good and was there to offer encouragement when the frustration was apparent.

The symposium is an event like no other. Fantastic individuals from around the world are there with the single purpose of learning from one another and making the CEREC world a better world. (It's funny - I'm doing what I tell my kids not to do - meeting strangers online and then meeting them in person - sounds weird but it is exactly what we do!) It truly is a dynamic community that has been brought together by a vehicle created by my friends Sameer and Armen. Both of these people have had a huge in?uence on my professional life.

This event is full of great cutting-edge information, materials that are here now and breaking news on what is coming out in the near future, new software developments and glimpses of the new release due out shortly. All packed into a format where we have a lot of fun both in session and after hours.

So I ask myself how I got this great opportunity, this big intimidating opportunity. I asked Sam if he was sure and he responded, "I know you are going to do a great job." I told him I would not disappoint. A lot of preparation went into it, and as I said above my wife was very supportive of the undertaking I had accepted.
So I went to stand on the stage, the edge of my comfort zone. I peered over the cliff but stood fast. Time appeared to stand still. I had confidence in the tools and in my ability. The audience appeared engaged and as I went along my fear of not having enough material for the time evaporated. The clock was now moving fast and my time slot quickly came to an end.

A roller coaster type of experience, apprehension quickly turned to exhilaration. I thank Sameer and Armen for letting me on the ride, my wife, my friends who are fellow faculty and mentors, and most importantly the audience for their time and support. It was an e-ticket ride that I will always remember fondly.