Best Veterinary Conferences for 2020-2021

The world is adjusting to the “new normal” we are now living in, but during this unprecedented time, every community and industry has managed to turn challenges into opportunities. Conferences are a clear example as many organizations have chosen to modify the format of their meetings by adding an online option or moving to a completely virtual environment. Some of you can’t wait to get on a plane and spend days earning CE hours and networking with like-minded people. However, some of you may discover that you prefer learning from the comfort of your own home. Whatever your preference, you surely will find something to your liking in this article. We collected information about all conferences, congresses, and conventions that will occur in the near future – online and offline. Each event presents an excellent opportunity to upgrade your skills, meet new people, and spend some quality time with your peers.

Dates: September 2-5, 2020
Location: Online
Registration opening: Open
Website: https://www.ecvimcongress.org/

The event is well-known in veterinary medicine as it brings together practicing professionals and experts in veterinary medicine research. The congress focuses on the following topics: gastroenterology, hepatology, nephrology and urology, oncology, internal medicine, cardiology, and feline medicine.

Speakers will also present the latest scientific findings and give you a preview into future research endeavors. It is an excellent opportunity to learn from specialists who will share their valuable insights. Check out the 2020 program to get familiar with what is in store for you.

Great for: Primarily veterinary professionals interested in scientific research.

Dates: September 26-27, 2020
Registration opening: Open now, tickets $99 – $199
Website: https://vetfinancialsummit.com
CE hours: None

If you care about the financial aspect of being a vet or practice owner (hint, you should!), then the online Veterinary Financial Summit is for you.

In two days, organizers plan to cover the most important financial topics in the industry:

• Student loans and debt management
• Personal finance
• Investing
• Practice ownership & management
• Nineteen experts from both veterinary and financial backgrounds will set you up for financial success.

Great for: Veterinarians

Dates:

• AAV: September 11 & 12 (11:00 AM – 5:00 PM Eastern) 2020
• ARAV: September 25 & 26 (11:00 AM – 5:00 PM Eastern) 2020
• AEMV: October 2 & 3 (11:00 AM – 5:00 PM Eastern) 2020

Location: Online
Registration opening: Open now
Website: http://www.exoticscon.org/
CE hours: The number of hours is not available yet

Have you been looking for the place that will bring together the best professionals in exotic animal veterinary medicine? Exoticscon is an exciting opportunity to get together and spend some quality time with leading experts in the industry. Registration opens soon, and organizers are working to create a program that will cover a range of subjects with interesting speakers in exotic animal medicine.

Great for: Veterinary professionals specializing in exotic animal health.

Dates: October 7-10, 2020
Location: Online
Website: https://unchartedvet.com/gsd-2020/
Registration Opening: Open
CE hours: This virtual conference is approved for attendees to earn up to 9 hours of Live RACE CE as well as 8 hours of CVPM CE.

The conference will help you thrive during difficult times in veterinary medicine as it supports professionals with valuable information regarding marketing and business strategies. The conference creates an intimate setting for the participants, ensuring that all the attendees have access to conversations and activities that will help their career or business. The Uncharted community is unlike many others. You can discover the power of finding a tribe as well as opportunities to upscale your practice. However, please keep in mind that you can participate in the conference only as an Uncharted community member.

Great for: Practice owners, practice managers, veterinarians

Dates: October 24-25, 2020
Location: Lodz, Poland
Website: https://10times.com/vetforum
Registration Opening: Open

The VetForum conference will offer presentations on bovine medicine, exotic animals, and diagnostic and treatment (including ophthalmology, gastroenterology, and neurology). The forum is also a great place to meet like-minded people and advance your skills as a veterinarian.

Great for: Veterinarians, veterinary technicians

Date: November 23-25, 2020
Location: Melbourne, Australia
Venue: Melbourne Convention & Exhibition Centre
Website: https://www.vnca.asn.au/education/26th-vnca-conference-2020/
Registration: Open. Early Bird Registration until September 22, 2020

The Veterinary Nurses Council of Australia (VNCA) announces the 26th VNCA Conference will be held in Melbourne. The VNCA aims to start “bringing your future into focus.” International and local speakers will provide you with a ton of valuable information that you can implement in your practice. Interactive workshops and a number of social networking events make it possible to meet new people and have a fantastic experience.

Great for: Veterinary nurses, veterinary technicians, and students

Dates: December 3-6, 2020
Location: Boca Raton, Florida
Website: https://fvma.org/events/2020-dates-for-tgavc/
Registration Opening: Open

The 8th Annual Gulf-Atlantic Veterinary Conference (TGAVC) decided to stay with the planned dates for the conference, but will continue to monitor the global health crisis and will announce any changes. The conference’s venue is The Boca Raton Resort & Club, a luxurious, iconic destination for the attendees. The organizers promise to present exceptional educational programs and updates in veterinary products and technology. At the time, program and speaker details are still being finalized.

Great for: All people in the veterinary field.

Dates: January 16-20, 2021
Location: Orlando, Florida/Online Anywhere
Registration opening: Launching soon
Website: https://navc.com/vmx/
Bonus: Program and planner
CE hours: The number of CE hours you can receive depends on the subject matter and whether it is online or in-person. Some state boards may have limitations on the hours accepted in certain categories or restrictions on delivery methods for CE.

VMX provides over 1,200 veterinary CE sessions on a broad array of subjects. You can easily find a topic that fits your interests, and you can learn from the best of the best in the industry. The conference offers the possibility to choose courses for a single professional, as well as for the whole veterinary team. Whether you attend solo or go with a group, you will find plenty of networking opportunities. You can spend some time at the VMX Expo Hall, with 700+ exhibitors presenting innovative and state-of-the-art products and services. The conference is an opportunity to connect with industry leaders from around the globe and have an amazing time with your peers!

Great for: Veterinarians, veterinary technicians, practice, managers, veterinary students. Whether you’re a student or a skilled professional, you can find something to meet your needs.

Dates: March 21-24, 2021
Location: Warsaw, Poland
Website: https://wsava.org/world-congress/
Registration opening: Open. Early Bird registration until January 5, 2021

The congress takes place every year for companion animal veterinarians from across the globe. It is a well-known event with a scientific program of the highest standards that reflect local culture and veterinary diversity. The scientific program is comprised of 50 different streams, addressing a variety of topics. The International Congress is worth visiting to exchange valuable information, experience different cultures, and have fun. The 45th Congress will occur in March of the next year as it was postponed due to the global health concerns.

Great for: All professionals in veterinary medicine.

Dates: July 30 – August 3, 2021
Location: Minneapolis
Website: https://www.avma.org/events/avma-convention
CE hours: over 130 hours of CE on a broad variety of topics.

The American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) invites you to spend two days immersing yourself in learning and connecting with veterinary professionals. The convention is an excellent opportunity to listen to inspiring keynote addresses, participate in interactive events, and become part of the veterinary network — without leaving home. Choose from a wide variety of CE topics including cannabis, practice management, and veterinary technology.

Great for: All members of the veterinary profession. As the event focuses on virtual networking and interactive classes, you have a chance to make new friends and have conversations with colleagues.

Dates: September 4-7, 2021
Location: Birmingham, England
Registration Opening: Should be opened soon.
Website: https://www.bevacongress.org/
CE hours: Each day at the congress is worth 7 hours, so if you attend all three days you will receive 21 hours.

As Beva decided to postpone its congress until January of 2021, they are still working on the program and speakers. Aside from gaining new knowledge and connecting with professionals who are passionate about equine veterinary medicine, the congress is also an opportunity to catch up with your suppliers or referral practices. It might be a good idea to check Beva’s 2019 program to get an idea whether or not the content will meet your needs.

Great for: Every professional involved and interested in equine veterinary medicine.

Dates: October 6-9, 2021
Location: Reno, Nevada
Website: https://us.vetshow.com/wild-west-vet
Registration Opening: Open
CE hours: 150+ hours

The Wild West conference is preparing a variety of interactive activities and inviting international speakers to provide you with the best possible experience. You can also sign up for the small-scale vet lab, sponsored by STERIS. The program will be available soon; meanwhile, you can check out the 2019 Program. The conference promises to focus on the hottest veterinary topics in small animal veterinary medicine.

Great for: Small animal veterinarians and veterinary technicians

After you’ve decided which conference(s) you wish to attend, hop on to their websites to see if there are any early bird registration discounts. That’s a great way to save hundreds of dollars. If it’s a live event, you can also see if there are attendee discounts on hotel rooms and airfare. You will also find that the online events are significantly cheaper. It all depends on how much time you can take away from your practice and your personal comfort level with traveling during the crisis.

One thing to keep in mind is that before you pay registration fees or make travel arrangements, double-check cancellation policies for the conference, hotel, and your plane tickets. During the course of preparing this guide, several of the conferences were canceled, so make sure that you keep in touch with the hosting organization to make sure the event is still being held.

We hope that you had fun reviewing this conference guide and found something to suit your professional and personal needs, whether it is to travel or earn CE credits while you stay at home. Let us know what you decided!

Let us know on our LinkedIn page what you decided!