By Katie Burns
Seattle provides a mild climate, urban atmosphere, and natural surroundings as the backdrop for the 146th AVMA Annual Convention.
On the center stage, inside the Washington State Convention and Trade Center, the AVMA convention presents a wide variety of sessions and special events to educate and entertain attendees.
The program starts this morning with the AVMA Opening Session. The owner of the local Pike Place Fish Market, John Yokoyama, will speak about how a business can create a niche and foster teamwork.
The first-ever AVMA Town Hall Meeting will be held at 1 p.m. today. The meeting is an opportunity to discuss professional issues with AVMA leaders. Topics could range from animal welfare to student debt.
A new feature of the educational program is the Beyond the Basics sessions for veterinarians and veterinary technicians. These sessions will allow attendees familiar with a subject to delve deeper into the details.
Overall, the educational program offers approximately 1,000 sessions on dozens of tracks. The American Veterinary Medical Foundation is offering estate-planning seminars during lunchtime learning each day. Today and tomorrow, the One Medicine track encompasses a summit on global health.
"I think the section chiefs have done an excellent job selecting speakers with national and international acclaim," said Dr. James E. Creed, chair of the AVMA Convention Management and Program Committee.
The daily schedule consists of eight, 50-minute educational sessions. Prior to last year's convention, the daily schedule had consisted of four, 90-minute sessions.
"We're continuing the 50-minute time blocks for the educational sessions," said Malyssa Sopko, assistant director of the AVMA Convention and Meeting Planning Division. "It's proved to be a popular change and enhances the learning opportunities."
Last year's one-hour lunch break proved less popular. This year, the lunch break will be two hours long from Sunday through Tuesday to allow attendees more time to browse the booths in the exhibit hall or walk to nearby shops and restaurants.
"Seattle is definitely a very walkable city," Sopko noted. "We're right downtown in the heart of everything, approximately a 5- to 8-minute walk to Pike Place Market."
Convention entertainment started last night with the Fort Dodge Comedy Kickoff, featuring the humor of John Pinette and Dr. Kevin T. Fitzgerald.
"Seattle is just a wonderful setting for a convention. It's a city that has a lot of appeal to a lot of people." — Dr. James E. Creed
From 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. this evening, the Bayer Bash will highlight the culture of the Pacific Northwest. The whole family will enjoy demonstrations by local baristas, storytellers, and woodcarvers.
The Merial Concert Series continues for a third year with a performance Sunday by pop singer-songwriter Natasha Bedingfield.
On Monday night, the veterinary colleges will host alumni receptions. Hill's Pet Nutrition and the National Association of Veterinary Technicians in America will sponsor a reception for veterinary technicians and technician students.
Outside of the convention venues, attendees can explore city attractions such as Seattle Center—home of the Space Needle, monorail, museums, and other draws. Visitors who venture farther afield can catch a ferry to the towns across Puget Sound or travel to the Olympic and Cascade Mountains.
