The Inclusive Issue

Howdy! I'm doing things a little differently in this month's Insider newsletter. Usually, I write different articles for DPMs, Industry Vendors, and Conference Planners. But not this time.

Why? Because as I found myself writing this content over the past several weeks I realized that all of it benefits all of the PodiatryMeetings.com readers.

Whether you're a doc, a vendor, a meeting planner, or some strange hybrid, every article here was handwritten to help you level up, think bigger, shake things up, and have a little fun. Let's get to it, shall we?

XO,

Ann Dosen

I'm the opposite of this email. I'm short and sweet. I recommend getting a refill - coffee or cocktail, I'll never judge.

PS - the Insider newsletter is filled with pictures and graphics. Be sure you have enabled images to display for the best experience.

AI Barbie Ann

Ann Dosen

Did you see PodiatryMeetings.com's post on Facebook? I jumped on the Barbie action figure AI trend and promised I would share the prompt I used. First I have to tell you - using AI is all about the quality of the prompt. If you don’t get the result you are hoping for - tweak your prompt. Add more details. You can even ask it to tell you what prompt structure would work best. This goes for everything you might use AI for - not just the fun stuff like creating Barbie Ann. Don’t laugh at my prompt - I can’t help that I see the perfect Barbie Ann this way. Here’s my prompt, copy it, tweak it, and create your very own AI Barbie:

Create a custom Barbie-inspired action figure of a woman named Ann. She is 5’3” tall and curvy. Her skin tone is warm and tan with freckles. She has copper red, long wavy hair and brown eyes. She is dressed in a stylish outfit with a hot pink fitted blazer and a black v-neck top, skinny jeans and fancy pointed-toe shoes, with gold, colorful statement jewelry. Her accessories are obviously an iPad, laptop bag, and clipboard. The figure should have bold makeup, and a confident expression. She is a Southern conference planner and online marketer in the podiatry industry. Highly detailed, toy packaging aesthetic, vibrant colors, 4K quality. Create a hyper-realistic, photorealistic collectible action figure of Ann inside packaging with visible accessories. The packaging should include her name and a clever title.

I’m thrilled to share that PodiatryMeetings.com has been chosen to serve as the official Exhibitor Support Liaison and Sales Coordinator for the Florida Podiatric Medical Association (FPMA) for their upcoming SAM Conference in January.

In this role, I’ll be working closely with FPMA leadership and industry partners to enhance the exhibitor experience, strengthen vendor relationships, and help ensure the exhibit hall is a dynamic, valuable space for both sponsors and attendees.

As someone who is deeply passionate about creating meaningful connections between clinicians and industry, I’m honored to support one of the most respected state associations in podiatry. I’m looking forward to contributing and bringing a fresh level of engagement and advocacy to the FPMA SAM conference.

If you’re a vendor looking to participate in SAM 2026, I’d love to connect. 

Let’s make this the best FPMA SAM conference yet!

Join the Premier Event in Minimally Invasive Foot and Ankle Surgery:

2025 International MIFAS Cadaver Lab Workshop

July 17–19, 2025 | OLC Education & Conference Center, Rosemont, IL

What if you could position yourself not just as a better surgeon—but as a more valuable, more in-demand, and more indispensable expert in your field?

That’s exactly what the 2025 International MIFAS Cadaver Lab Workshop is designed to do. This is not just a training. It’s a strategic advantage. A career accelerator. A once-a-year, limited-seat immersion into the next generation of minimally invasive foot and ankle surgery.

The 2025 International MIFAS Cadaver Lab Workshop is the year’s most anticipated hands-on surgical training event for foot and ankle specialists. 

Set over three intensive days, this immersive workshop brings together world-renowned surgeons, cutting-edge techniques, and an exclusive educational experience tailored for medical professionals committed to advancing their skills in Minimally Invasive Foot & Ankle Surgery (MIFAS).

Hosted at the state-of-the-art OLC Education & Conference Center in Rosemont, Illinois, just minutes from O’Hare International Airport, the event will take place July 17–19, 2025, and is limited to only 70 attendees to ensure personalized instruction and optimal engagement. With only 15 tickets left, now is the time to reserve your spot!

Want to attend? Click here to secure your seat.

Why Attend?

This is not your typical lecture-style CME event. The workshop is structured around true hands-on cadaver lab practice, with each participant assigned their own cadaver leg specimen to fully engage in core procedures of MIFAS. Learn techniques for treating bunions, hammertoes, exostosis, and more—all under the direct guidance of international faculty who are leaders in their field.

You'll learn from pioneering experts such as Dr. Carmen Naranjo Ruiz, Dr. Helene Nguyen, Dr. J. Monroe Laborde, and many others. The faculty-to-attendee ratio is kept at 1:5, allowing for direct mentorship and feedback throughout the course.



In addition to cadaver lab time, the event includes didactic lectures, case studies, panel discussions, and live demonstrations to reinforce your learning and expand your clinical capabilities.

May 5: Celebrate Cinco de Mayo with us! Cinco Reasons You May Need an X-ray Upgrade

May 12: What Exactly is a "Normal Gait?"

May 26: Revolutionary Products for Forward-Thinking Physicians

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER FOR THESE UPCOMING WEBINARS

UPCOMING PODIATRY CONFERENCES

THE INDUSTRY'S MOST COMPREHENSIVE EVENT RESOURCE

click images below for upcoming meetings

CLICK HERE TO VIEW THE COMPLETE CALENDAR

Marketing Metrics

Ann Dosen

Lately I have found myself involved in many conversations about marketing. Whether it’s with DPMs on a webinar or follow-up chat or with vendors launching new products, I answer the same question over and over - what works? What’s worth my time and money? My canned response is always, “You should be everywhere you can afford to be.” But let’s break that down.

Let’s get one thing straight: numbers matter in marketing. But obsessing over a single stat? That’s a rookie move.

PRO TIP: Always use tracking links to track the number of clicks but don’t judge a campaign solely based on those numbers.

It’s easy to see a bump in sales and immediately credit the last campaign you ran. But most buyers don’t act after one touchpoint, they move through a journey. They see your name in a print ad. Then again on Facebook. Then in an email. Then maybe radio, TV, or a postcard in the mail. And then—maybe—they finally pick up the phone or click “Buy.”

Just because they called after seeing an ad doesn’t mean it was because of the ad. Most people need 5–7 touches. Don’t kill a channel too quickly.

That’s why marketing isn’t about pinpointing one magic bullet. It’s about spotting patterns over time and understanding how each piece contributes to the bigger picture.

Metrics That Actually Matter:

• Monthly & quarterly spend vs. revenue
• Total inquiries and actual sales/customers/patients
• New vs. returning customers
• New product/service sales
• Featured product sales
• Channel performance (digital, social, print, events)
• Number of clicks/calls per ad type/channel
• Marketing as a percentage of revenue
• Overall impact (tracks impact when you add or remove marketing channels)

But here's the kicker: raw numbers don’t tell the whole story.

That radio ad? Maybe no one called directly from it. But it built just enough brand familiarity to help your next email campaign hit harder. That’s not failure - it means it played its part in a larger strategy.

You’re building recognition, trust, and consistency. That only happens when your audience sees you everywhere and finally says, “Alright. Let’s see what they’re about.”

So yes—track everything. Test relentlessly. Watch for trends. But don’t yank the plug on a campaign just because the results aren’t instant.

Marketing is an art, not a science. Most buyers won’t act the first time they see you. But they remember you.

Marketing isn’t about math. It’s about momentum.

Measure over time, not moments. Before you make a change, consider if your decision is based on instinct, data, or both. Value reflection over reaction.

I plan on creating a spreadsheet to track all of these metrics that you can customize for your own purposes. I’ll share it in my next Insider newsletter.

Frustrated by endless searches for the right events?

Not sure what's worth your time and money? We get it. PodiatryMeetings.com offers a comprehensive solution. Our platform consolidates all relevant conference details into one easy-to-navigate calendar, complete with ratings, reviews, and industry insights. Now you can easily access everything you need, all in one place. Say goodbye to wasted time and hello to informed decisions.

Loved it? Hated it? Rate it!

CLICK HERE TO RATE A CONFERENCE

A New Resource for Podiatric Practice Growth

Looking to expand your practice beyond traditional insurance? Meet Soleutions—a new service provider in the podiatric space offering tools, training, and community to help you grow your practice from the ground up. Whether you're exploring hybrid models or considering a full shift to direct pay, Soleutions offers in-person and online events, expert-led courses, and a powerful member network to support your success.

Learn more about how Soleutions is helping podiatrists thrive in today’s evolving healthcare landscape. CLICK HERE