Why Dental Practices are Registering for The 2026 Exchange Now

It’s April, so "planning for 2026" might sound a bit early. But when it comes to the biggest event on the Smile Source calendar, it's absolutely not. We are thrilled to announce that registration is officially open for The Exchange 2026, taking place September 9–12 at the Henry B. Gonzalez Convention Center in San Antonio, Texas.

Why should you be thinking about registration right now? Because the early bird doesn't just get the worm, they get the best CE, the lowest rates, and a strategy that sets their practice apart for the next year and a half.

The Early Bird Advantage: Why Register Now?

1. Secure the Best Price: Early registration rates are not just slightly lower; they are the most significant discount Smile Source offers all year. Locking in your spot now guarantees the best value.

2. Maximize CE Planning: The Exchange 2026 will feature over 17 hours of CE credits. By committing now, you and your team have a concrete goal. You can review the confirmed courses and plan exactly which breakouts align with your practice goals, avoiding the last-minute stress of meeting mandatory hours.

3. Ensure Your Whole Team Can Attend: The single biggest reason to plan this early is team attendance. A practice only thrives when the whole team aligns. When you bring your entire staff, everyone hears the same message, learns the same new techniques, and feels energized by the same collective vision.

Planning 18 months out gives you ample time to coordinate staffing schedules and childcare, making it achievable for everyone to be present.

Fueling Your Growth: Announced Speakers and Topics

We've begun revealing the exceptional speakers who will dominate the tracks in San Antonio. From business mastery to cutting-edge clinical techniques, these professionals design sessions specifically tailored for independent dentists.

Here is a preliminary look at the lineup that is already generating excitement:

Ariel Siegel | Administrators Track
System: Where Patient Experience Meets Practice Performance

Ariel Siegel understands that efficient systems are the heartbeat of a successful practice. In this session, she will bridge the gap between optimizing patient workflow and maximizing profitability. Short Bio Brief: Ariel is a renowned operations consultant dedicated to simplifying the complex systems that run a modern dental office.

Dr. Tom Hedge | Dentists | Assistants Track
Selling Without Selling Using High Tech and High Touch

Dr. Hedge knows the awkwardness some clinicians feel when discussing comprehensive treatment plans. His course provides actionable steps to leverage modern technology (the 'High Tech') and authentic human connection (the 'High Touch') to naturally increase treatment acceptance without aggressive sales tactics.

Julie Varney | Assistants Track
Class II and You & Totally Rad Radiology Techniques

Julie Varney delivers hyper-practical, hands-on knowledge specifically for your clinical assistants. From mastering tricky Class II restorative placements to refining imaging techniques that make diagnosis easier for the doctor, her energetic sessions are consistently a favorite among attendees.

Heather Crockett | Office Managers Track
Healthy Culture = Happy Team, Lead Your Practice Culture

Practice culture doesn't happen by accident; it happens through leadership. Heather Crockett will equip Office Managers with strategies to cultivate a supportive, cohesive team environment that reduces turnover and enhances productivity.

The ACT Dental Power Session: Business Mastery Takeover

We are especially excited to announce that we are bringing two of the most influential minds in dental practice management, Kirk Behrendt from ACT Dental and Dr. Barrett Straub, CEO of Smile Source, for a major business mastery component.

Kirk Behrendt | Dentists Track
Are You Running Your Practice or is Your Practice Running You?

Kirk Behrendt is famous for his straightforward, powerful approach to practice clarity. He will challenge you to identify the specific bottlenecks holding you back and provide the blueprint to regain control, transition from owner-operator to actual leader, and achieve freedom.

"Clarity is kindness. If you don't know exactly where you are leading your practice, you are unfair to your team. At The Exchange 2026, we are going to get you clearer than you have ever been." — Kirk Behrendt, CEO, ACT Dental

Dr. Barrett Straub | Dentists Track
Session: The Profit Blueprint: Finding Money In Your Practice

Dr. Straub’s expertise is in making data-driven decisions that translate into profitability. He will give you the tools to analyze your overhead, identify hidden financial leaks, and optimize your fee schedule, ensuring your practice isn't just busy, but genuinely profitable.

Strategizing Your Trip

Since The Exchange 2026 is set for September 9–12 in San Antonio, the "early bird" advantage isn't just about the registration fee; it’s about the logistical sanity of your practice. Moving an entire team across the country (or even across the state) requires a tactical approach to your calendar and budget.

Here is how to master the advanced planning phase for yourself and your team.

Block Your Patient Schedule Now: The biggest barrier to team travel is a pre-filled hygiene schedule.

• The 6-Month Rule: Most practices schedule hygiene recalls six months in advance. By blocking September 9–12, 2026, in your practice management software today, you ensure that no patients are scheduled during those dates.

• Communication is Key: When patients ask why those dates are blocked, your administrative team can proudly say, "Our office will be away at a national clinical symposium to bring the latest dental innovations back to our patients!"

Regional Travel & San Antonio Logistics: The Henry B. Gonzalez Convention Center is located right on the world-famous River Walk.

• Hotel Blocks:  Smile Source typically negotiates discounted rates at anchor hotels such as the Marriott Rivercenter or the Grand Hyatt. These blocks fill up fast. Booking early ensures your team stays together in one location, making morning commutes to sessions a breeze.
• Flights: If you are flying into SAT (San Antonio International), set a price alert now. For larger teams, coordinating a "team flight" can often lead to group boarding or easier ground transportation upon arrival.

Curate CE for Your Specific Team Members: With 17+ hours of CE and over 40 courses, "winging it" on the day of the event is a missed opportunity. Sit down with your team during a monthly meeting to assign tracks based on your 2026 practice goals:

Tip: Have each team member choose one "Wildcard" session, something outside their normal daily duties. This cross-training perspective is often where the most "aha!" moments happen.

Budget for the Experience: Planning this far in advance allows you to distribute the cost of the trip over several months.

• The "Exchange Fund": Consider setting aside a small percentage of monthly production starting now to cover team airfare, lodging, and those famous San Antonio dinners.
• Team Building: Remember that the Exchange isn't just about the classroom. Plan one "Team Night Out" in the Pearl District or a riverboat tour. These shared experiences often boost morale for the rest of the year.

Don't wait until the schedule is full and the flights are triple the price. By handling the logistics now, you can spend the next year focusing on your patients, knowing that your team's professional development and your practice’s growth are already on the books.

A Save the Date Message for Your Team

Subject: Save the Date! San Antonio 2026: The Exchange

Hi Team,

I am so excited to share that we are officially planning our next big team-building and learning adventure!

We will be heading to San Antonio, Texas, from September 9–12, 2026, for The Smile Source Exchange.

I’ve already blocked these dates in our practice schedule so we can all attend together. This meeting is an incredible opportunity for us to grow as a practice, earn valuable CE credits, and—just as importantly—spend some quality time together away from the office.

Why I’m excited for us to go:

• The Lineup: We’ll be hearing from some of the best in the industry, including Kirk Behrendt and Heather Crockett. There are specific tracks designed for every role in this office, from clinical techniques for our assistants to leadership strategies for our management team.
• The Location: We’ll be right on the famous San Antonio River Walk. I’m already looking forward to a team dinner and some Texas hospitality!
• Our Growth: My goal is for us to bring back fresh ideas that make our daily work easier and our patient care even better.

What you need to do now: I just wanted to get this on your calendars as early as possible so you can plan accordingly. I will handle the registration and travel details as we get closer.

I truly believe that investing in our time together at events like this is what makes our office such a great place to work.

Get ready for some San Antonio fun in September 2026!