AVMA 2007 Convention In Washington, DC Sets Records In Attendance-Succeeds In Music And Education

Main Category: Veterinary
Article Date: 12 Aug 2007 - 1:00 PDT

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The 144th Annual American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) Convention in Washington, D.C., July 14-18, 2007, broke attendance records for the association and set new standards for success, including a performance by the Goo Goo Dolls and unequalled educational opportunities.

Attendance at this year's convention was 10,339, which set a new record for the AVMA. This included 4,215 veterinarians, 400 veterinary students, 462 veterinary technicians and tech students, 146 practice staff, 1,523 exhibitors and 3,138 spouses, children, and guests.

The convention also furthered the AVMA's One Health Initiative, including a joint AVMA and American Medical Association press conference, as well as a roundtable discussion and educational programs on the issue. In addition, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Director Dr. Julie L. Gerberding spoke at the convention opening session on the importance and power of the One Health Initiative, which calls for more cooperation and collaboration between veterinarians, physicians and other branches of health care, including schools, hospitals, industry, government and associations.

"I'm very proud of the unparalleled success we experienced in Washington," said Dr. Jim Creed, chair of the AVMA Convention Management and Program Committee. "This year's convention featured nearly 950 hours of continuing education programs, including wet labs, brown bag lunchtime sessions, sunrise continuing education sessions and other education opportunities for veterinarians and veterinary technicians. The convention exhibit hall featured 330 vendors, and entertainment included a behind-the-scenes evening at the zoo and a live concert. I believe we exceeded our goal to educate, inform and entertain."

Dr. Creed added that he is equally excited about the upcoming 2008 AVMA Convention which will be held next year in New Orleans, July 19-22, 2008.

For more information about the AVMA or about opportunities to run an educational program or speak at upcoming AVMA conventions, visit http://www.avma.org.

The AVMA and its more than 75,000 member veterinarians are engaged in a wide variety of activities dedicated to advancing the science and art of animal, human and public health. Visit the AVMA Web site at http://www.avma.org for more information.

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