Hill's sponsorship for AVMA Annual Convention soars to highest levels
Hill's Pet Nutrition Inc. was not only a platinum sponsor of this year's AVMA convention, denoting the highest level of funding, the company is also in the third year of its five-year commitment to this level of support. In Hawaii, a variety of educational sessions on such topics as nutrition, dietary management, behavior, and business, as well as tropical-themed social events were sponsored by Hill's. The company also underwrote the entire veterinary technician educational program, which the AVMA named the Dr. Jack L. Mara Seminars in Veterinary Technology in honor of the late Hill's spokesman. The Opening Ceremony, the useful educational program at-a-glance, and several lunches for veterinary technicians that also enhance the convention experience were compliments of Hill's as well. The human-animal bond is a special focus of Hill's, and the company sponsored sessions that included two lectures named for human-animal bond pioneer Dr. Leo K. Bustad. Hill's also presented the Leo K. Bustad Companion Animal Veterinarian of the Year Award to Dr. Richard Meadows during the Opening Ceremony (see page 885). Convention attendees who completed the education stations at the Hill's booth in the exhibit hall at the Hawaii Convention Center received a colorful Hill's branded beach bag and a copy of the new book "Fitness Unleashed," co-authored by Dr. Marty Becker and Robert Kushner, MD. The attendance of 444 Pacific Rim veterinarians at the Hawaii convention tied in with Hill's year-round educational outreach to veterinary professionals in Asia. Hill's personnel from Japan and the Far East greeted Pacific Rim attendees in the special Asian section of the booth. "Hill's has a strong presence in Asian countries," said Dr. Mary Beth Leininger, Hill's director of professional affairs and an AVMA past president. Hill's also sponsored the International Attendees' Reception at the Royal Hawaiian Hotel on July 16, where veterinary colleagues from around the world met in an informal setting. Throughout the year—and in a special way at the AVMA Annual Convention, Hill's reaches out across the globe to carry out its mission of helping to enrich and lengthen the special relationship between people and their pets "by providing the best nutrition in the world." | ||