Veterinary Conferences to Attend in 2020

A new year is here, so it's time to start thinking about which veterinary conferences you and your team should attend in 2020. While there are many local, regional, and national conferences to choose from, here's a glimpse into a few of the more well-known events.

Updated: 9.10.20 to reflect changes from COVID-19

This year has taken a path no one predicted, but continuing education doesn't stop in the wake of a pandemic. Most state veterinary licensing boards have temporarily amended their policies to accept an unlimited number of virtual CE hours. You may think a virtual conference sounds uninspiring, but leading veterinary organizations have worked tirelessly to plan dynamic virtual events that will rival any live conference. Attendees will come away with fresh ideas, new contacts, and the most up-to-date information, all from the comfort of home, with no travel costs.

2020 Virtual Veterinary Conferences

Still need to squeeze in some online CE hours? No problem. Here are some of the best virtual veterinary conferences happening in 2020.

American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine (ACVIM) Forum

When: Now through December 31, 2020.

Who Should Attend: Veterinarians and technicians — especially those working in specialty hospitals — can benefit from attending the ACVIM Forum.

Why It's Great: Originally scheduled for June in Baltimore, Maryland, the ACVIM Forum was canceled and replaced by an on-demand forum. The good news? The online platform, which launched June 10, contains more than 80 recorded sessions and 300 ePoster research abstracts that are available to attendees through December 31. While you probably can't get fresh Maryland crab cakes delivered to your home office, you can stay up to date with the latest innovations in veterinary internal medicine at your convenience.

How to Register: Check out the ACVIM website for registration details.

Fetch dvm360

When: August 28–31, 2020, and on demand through September 14.

Who Should Attend: The whole veterinary team can enjoy Fetch dvm360.

Why It's Great: With live Fetch dvm360 conferences cancelled, one large virtual event will take their place. You can view content live from August 28 to 31 and watch sessions on demand through September 14. Fetch dvm360 conferences have quickly gained a reputation for pairing evidence-based learning sessions with fun networking opportunities, and this year's virtual event will be no exception. Contemplating a remodel or new build? Conference registration also includes bonus access to the HospitalDesign360 Conference.

How to Register: Find details on the Fetch dvm360 website.

Connexity

When: Real-time sessions from September 30 to October 3, 2020, with on-demand access for one year.

Who Should Attend: Exclusively for American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA) members, Connexity is ideal for practice owners and managers looking for practice management CE.

Why It's Great: Connexity has transitioned its live conference to a virtual and on-demand event. Connexity focuses heavily on improving practice culture and well-being in the veterinary field. With keynote speakers Johnny "Cupcakes" Earle, Heather Younger ("The Employee Whisperer"), and Michelle Poler, who faced 100 fears in 100 days, this is a conference that will undoubtedly give AAHA members valuable insight.

How to Register: If you're an AAHA member, log in to your account on the AAHA website to register.

2021 Veterinary Conferences

Several large veterinary conferences concluded just before COVID-19 hit, and many are already making contingency plans for 2021. Here's what is currently on the horizon, but keep in mind that plans may change as the year progresses.

Veterinary Meeting & Expo (VMX)

When: January 16–20, 2021

Who Should Attend: All veterinary professionals can partake in useful continuing education at VMX.

Format: VMX will be offered as a hybrid conference — registrants can attend live sessions in Orlando, Florida, or virtually. Most registration packages include on-demand access to recorded sessions for 90 days following the conference.

For More Information: Check out the North American Veterinary Community website.

Midwest Veterinary Conference (MVC)

When: February 11–14, 2021

Who Should Attend: MVC is a great choice for anyone on the team looking for CE without all the extra "fluff."

Format: Currently, the Ohio Veterinary Medical Association is proceeding with plans to host a live 2021 conference in Columbus, Ohio.

For More Information: Learn more on the MVC website as details unfold according to COVID-19 developments.

Western Veterinary Conference (WVC)

When: September 6–9, 2021

Who Should Attend: There's something for the entire veterinary team at WVC.

Format: After considering feedback from a survey of veterinary professionals, WVC, which normally takes place in February, has been pushed to the fall to give attendees more time to adjust to post-pandemic circumstances and make travel more convenient. Attendees can enjoy live sessions in Las Vegas, or attend virtually.

For More Information: Watch the Viticus Group website for more information.

American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) Convention

This year's AVMA Virtual Convention just wrapped up, but keep an eye on the AVMA website, and stay tuned for details about the 2021 meeting.

With so many convenient CE opportunities, this is a great time to take advantage of as many conferences as possible. Look for virtual and hybrid options to persist well into the future even post-pandemic, so veterinary conferences can reach as many people as possible in new and exciting ways.


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Sarah Rumple
Owner, Chief Creative Officer of Rumpus Writing and Editing

Sarah Rumple is an award-winning veterinary writer and editor. Since 2011, her work has focused on pet health/behavior and veterinary practice management topics. Her clients include individual veterinary practice owners, national corporations, nonprofit associations, media companies, consultants, and others. Learn more at sarahrumple.com.

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