FOR MORE INFORMATION

David Kirkpatrick
Phone: 847-285-6782
Cell: 847-409-0519
e-mail: David Kirkpatrick

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

April 5, 2011

Schaumburg, IL

— Advance registration for the American Veterinary Medical Association Annual Convention in St. Louis, Mo., is under way and continues through April 15.

Registering early allows attendees to save on their registration fees and also provides early access to popular interactive labs and other limited-attendance events. Attendees can save an additional $25 on their registration by booking their hotel reservation with the AVMA's housing company before they register for the convention.

The AVMA Convention will be held at America's Center in downtown St. Louis July 16-19.

"Our convention is the only U.S. veterinary meeting where veterinarians and veterinary team members experience a broad range of continuing education opportunities, the latest in industry news and insights, exciting entertainment and unique networking opportunities," said Dr. Ron Banks, chair of the AVMA Convention Management and Program Committee. "Everything we offer delivers on our promise of making our annual meeting more of what you want: more of what you need."

With hundreds of hours of continuing education available in several tracks, convention attendees can earn up to 42 hours of continuing education in just four days. And for the first time ever, attendees can earn two continuing education credits by visiting the convention exhibit hall.

Before the convention, attendees can view and plan their convention schedule using AVMA Map-It! This free app can be downloaded on iTunes (for smart phones and iPads) and used to create a personalized schedule, to set up meetings and to keep up-to-date with convention additions and other notifications. Wi-Fi is also available for free in convention center common areas and in the exhibit hall.

A variety of programs, including the convention's Opening Session and other public forums, allow attendees to get first-hand information about the state of the profession.

A highlight of this year's convention is the AVMA's celebration of World Veterinary Year, which marks the 250th anniversary of the founding of the world's first veterinary school in Lyon, France. World Veterinary Year events include a special day-long symposium, titled World Veterinary Year: 250 Years of Improving Animal and Human Health. The symposium will feature international leaders and will highlight past, present and future contributions of the veterinary profession to global health. The AVMA Pavilion in the exhibit hall will also feature a special World Veterinary Year display and Vet2011 giveaways.

Designed to spark dialogue about important issues facing the veterinary profession, the AVMA's Inside the Issues programming is new to the convention this year. This unique session format will explore some of the current controversies in veterinary medicine and allows attendees to hear different perspectives from top-tier speakers and share their own insights. These discussions allow for maximum audience interaction and will explore timely topics such as animals and the law; the use of nutritional supplements; and the complexities surrounding physical therapists working with veterinary patients. These sessions will be offered in debate, better case management panel or panel dialogue format. Selected sessions of Inside the Issues will also incorporate an interactive polling feature that will allow attendees to indicate which side of an issue they support and to pose questions to the panelists.

A report by the North American Veterinary Medical Education Consortium that will be unveiled at this year's convention is sure to generate interest and discussion for some time to come. The consortium, which is made up of the broadest spectrum of veterinary medical education stakeholders ever assembled, addressed the evolving societal needs related to veterinary medicine and identified the core competencies needed by all graduating veterinarians. Consortium members also explored cost-effective approaches to educating veterinarians and ways that accreditation, testing and licensure could best support achieving the core competencies.

There will also be plenty of entertainment and noteworthy speakers. TV correspondent and third-generation environmental pioneer Philippe Cousteau, grandson of Jacques Cousteau, will serve as the opening keynote speaker at the convention. Cousteau will lead attendees in an exploration of how the connection between humans, animals and the environment is as important as the study of nature itself. The 5th Annual AVMA Concert features the Plain White T's, an American pop rock band. And comedian Jay Mohr will leave the crowd laughing during Sunday Night Live, the convention's annual comedy show.

To register and to learn more about the AVMA Annual Convention, visit www.avmaconvention.org.