Tornado touches down in Atlanta - Hinman Meeting Closed

Reposted from the Hinman Atlanta website:

The 96th Thomas P. Hinman Dental Meeting Closes Early

Due to extensive damage sustained by both the Georgia World Congress Center and the Omni Hotel at CNN Center – the site of the Thomas P. Hinman Dental Meeting -- we will not be able to continue the meeting on Saturday, March 15. The safety of the attendees and exhibitors of the Thomas P. Hinman Dental Meeting is our primary concern at this time. According to Dan Graveline, Executive Director of the Georgia World Congress Center, for the purposes of safety, people cannot be allowed to return to the facility.

In addition, Gary Froeba, Regional Vice President and Managing Director of the Omni Hotel at CNN Center, has advised us that the Omni Hotel at CNN Center is currently occupying guest rooms that have no damage to the windows. Guests with window damage are being relocated to hotels throughout the city. The Omni Hotel is no longer taking reservations or conducting meetings until further notice. The organizers of the Thomas P. Hinman Dental Meeting will actively communicate with both attendees and exhibitors in the days ahead. We appreciate everyone’s patience and understanding during this time.

Exhibitors of the Thomas P. Hinman Dental Meeting:
As you all know, a powerful storm caused significant damage to the Georgia World Congress Center in several major areas of the facility. The State Fire Marshall and his team of assessors will be inspecting the building throughout the weekend and will update Hinman and Shepard Exposition Services on Monday afternoon as to the ability of the crews to move safely throughout the building.

Unfortunately, until that time, Shepard will have no more access to the facility than the exhibitors. If your travel and other work responsibilities do not allow you to remain in Atlanta during this process, please contact Shepard at 404.720.8600. Shepard will do everything possible to assist with the pack-up of your exhibit and other materials and to help you determine any damage incurred to any property. If you have used an Exhibitor Appointed Contractor (EAC), please notify them of your dismantle requirements. Shepard will work with these contractors to get your materials shipped out with minimal delays.

In the meantime, please continue to check the following websites for additional information:
• www.shepardes.com/hinman
• http://www.gwcc.com/

During this process, we appreciate your patience and understanding.

Update: Sunday, March 16, 10:30 a.m.:
We have been advised from the Georgia World Congress Center that they are continuing assessment of the building. At this time, safety and security still need to remain a priority.
Once we have been given access to the building, everyone will be given ample time to return, pack and ship their materials.

Update: Monday, March 17, 9:21 p.m.:
From Dr. Paul Feuerstein

These were sent to me by Trey Finney ( Atlantis) and Judy Grunewald from marketing Astra-Tech. No wonder they aren't letting the exhibitors back in!!

http://www.myteeth.com/hinmandamage.pdf

-- Paul Feuerstein, DMDTechnology Editor Dental EconomicsADA Seminar Series Speaker