AGD Convocation Ceremony and Celebration
2024 Convocation Information
The AGD2024 Convocation Ceremony will take place in the Minneapolis Convention Center Auditorium, on Saturday, July 20, 2024, at 4:30 p.m.
Complimentary General Meeting Registration
As a reminder, AGD is pleased to provide you with complimentary general registration and one complimentary ticket to the 2024 Convocation celebration. Both must be secured through the AGD annual meeting registration process. If you need assistance with the registration process, please contact Meetings at meetings@agd.org.
Cap and Gown Orders (Fellows and Masters Only)
The date to reserve your cap and gown has passed. If you did not reserve a cap and gown, please email education@agd.org.
Note: LLSR recipients do not wear caps and gowns. LLSR recipients should dress in business attire to accept their pin and honor stole onstage.
Cap and Gown Pick up Location and Schedule
Fellows and Masters can pick up your reserved cap & gown at Minneapolis Convention Center, at the Registration Foyer, outside of Exhibit Hall B on Friday, July 19 and Saturday, July 20. Pick-up times are:
- Friday, July 19: 7:30 a.m. until 6:30 p.m.
- Saturday, July 20: 7:30 a.m. until 1:30 p.m.
Convocation Seat Assignments
Convocation Seat Assignments will be emailed to awardees and LLSR recipients in early July. If you do not receive a seat assignment by July 10, email education@agd.org.
Convocation Rehearsal
Rehearsal will be Saturday, July 20, 2024, at 3:30 p.m., in the Minneapolis Convention Center Auditorium. Awardees should arrive by 3:15 p.m. so you can find your assigned seat by 3:30 p.m. It is recommended that awardees do not make any plans after 12:30 p.m. to allow for time for group photos with your region and/or constituent. Your respective regions or constituents will communicate times for photos.
Convocation Ceremony
The Convocation Ceremony will be on Saturday, July 20, 2024, in Minneapolis Convention Center Auditorium. Doors will open for guest seating at approximately 4:15. Please encourage your guests to arrive no more than 10 mins before the doors open. There is no reserved seating and tickets are not needed to attend the Convocation Ceremony. All guests are welcome.
The AGD will have photographers take photos of all awardees and LLSR recipients as they are congratulated by AGD President Dr. Merlin P. Ohmer while crossing the stage. Family members may take photos from their seats. Please remind your family members that they will not be allowed to enter the aisles or approach the stage to take pictures.
Helpful Hints for Convocation
- Wear comfortable clothing. Suit jackets or heavy clothing will be uncomfortable under your robe.
- Eat before you arrive for rehearsal. You will not have an opportunity to eat before the ceremony.
- Come to rehearsal in your cap and gown. Please dispose of the bag and hanger holding your robe prior to arriving. (LLSR recipients should dress in business attire)
- Do not bring excess belongings, such as a briefcase, laptops, etc., to the ceremony as there is no space to store such items.
Guests at the Convocation Ceremony
Guests attending only the Convocation Ceremony are NOT required to register for AGD2024 to attend. There will be ample seating available. If you have a guest with limited mobility or other special needs, email education@agd.org by Monday, July 8 to arrange for reserved and/or wheelchair seating.
Photos for Convocation Slideshow
You are invited to submit photos of you and your family or of you and your staff to be included in a slideshow shown before and after the Convocation Ceremony. Send a maximum of four (4) photos in JPEG format only (We cannot guarantee any format other than JPEG will work) to education@agd.org by Monday, July 8, 2024. Please label photos by your last name, first initial and number. Example SmithJ_1, SmithJ_2, etc. Any photos over the first four will not be used.
Pins, Certificates, Plaques and Crystals
All 2024 Awardees and LLSR Recipients will receive a pin during the ceremony. 2024 LLSR Recipients will also receive an academic stole. FAGD & MAGD Plaques and LLSR Crystals will be shipped to all 2024 recipients four to eight weeks after the Convocation ceremony.
Convocation Reception
Following the Convocation Ceremony, join AGD leaders and members, along with families and friends, for a congratulatory Reception featuring sweet and healthy treats, soft drinks and one ticket for an adult beverage for guests over 21. This is a ticketed event. Awardees/LLSRs must register to receive one (1) complimentary Convocation Reception ticket.
Additional guest tickets must be purchased through the registration system.
Adult Guest Tickets @ $70 per person
Child Guest Tickets (13 and under) @ $25 per person.
If you have already registered for AGD2024, please use the link in your confirmation to access your registration and add guest Convocation Reception tickets to your event. You can pick up your Convocation wristband during registration hours on Saturday July 20 at the AGD2024 Registration Desk between 7am – 5pm.
Convocation Portraits
Awardees, LLSR recipients, and their families are invited to have a formal portrait taken at the AGD2024 Photo Studio. The AGD2024 Photo Studio is in the Registration Foyer, outside Exhibit Hall B. This is an ideal time to a formal portrait in your cap and gown or update your professional head shot. Caps, gowns, ribbons, and pins will be available in the studio, you will not need to bring your caps and gowns with you. The photo studio will be open:
- Thursday, July 18: 3:00 p.m. until 5:00 p.m.
- Friday, July 19: 9:00 a.m. until 6:00 p.m.
- Saturday, July 20: 7:30 a.m. until 2:30 p.m.
Regional Group Photos
Many regions have scheduled times for group photos on Saturday, July 20, 2024. Please contact your regional director or constituent executive early July 2024. You should arrive for your group photo dressed in your cap and gown. Extra caps and gowns will not be available for group photos.
Other AGD Events
Thursday, July 18
- Exhibit Hall B Opens: 11:00 a.m. until 7:30 p.m.
- Keynote Address in the Auditorium: 4:30 to 5:45 p.m.
Jeffrey L Gurian, DDS: Known as the “Doctor of Happiness,” Dr. Gurian is both a dentist and a comedian who has worked with some of the biggest comedic names in Hollywood including Rodney Dangerfield, Nick Kroll and John Mulaney. This motivational session will explore how to balance a career in dentistry while staying connected to your “inner child” and creating your own “happiness center.” - President’s Reception in Exhibit Hall B: 5:45 to 7:30 p.m.
Friday, July 19
- Join us for Getting There: Mastership session on Friday July 19 at 4:15 – 5:15 p.m. in room 200D. Learn what hours are needed to qualify for the AGD Mastership Award, understand your transcript summary pages and hear from MasterTrack Programs who can guide you on your quest for the MasterTrack award. This is a free session, but registration is required.
AGD Foundation Activities
Oral Cancer Screenings
To raise awareness of oral cancer, the AGD Foundation will host free oral cancer screenings on Friday, July 19, 11am – 2pm in the Exhibit Hall. Please stop by, get screened, and learn more about the Foundation’s oral cancer awareness activities.
Electronic Silent Auction Fundraiser